It’s normal for your gums to bleed after using a new toothbrush for the first time

No, it’s not. ‘If your gums bleed, this will usually be due to previous inadequate brushing,’ says Karen. ‘If your brushing hasn’t been good enough, plaque will be left on your teeth, and this can irritate your gums and cause them to become inflamed – and that’s when they’ll start to bleed more easily. A new brush, used enthusiastically, may encourage this. If you improve your oral hygiene routine, the bleeding should stop within a couple of weeks.’