Gums that are in good health should be strong, pale pink, and firmly around each tooth. If your gums are bleeding, there may be a more serious issue present. It may be possible to treat and cure bleeding gums by identifying the root reason.
The reasons for bleeding gums are often attributable to inadequate oral hygiene. Inflammation, vitamin deficiencies, or even a new toothbrush could cause it. These are issues that you can typically resolve on your own at home. However, bleeding gums might signify something more dangerous. In this blog, we will discuss all that and how you can prevent it.
What Brings on Gum Bleeding?
Do you ever notice that when you floss or brush your teeth, your gums are bleeding? Gums can bleed for a number of causes, from poor brushing habits to more serious disorders like gum disease. While gum bleeding itself is not hazardous, the underlying issue that is causing it can be. Here is a list of some potential reasons why gums can be bleeding.
- Gingivitis – The main factor for bleeding gums is plaque buildup at the gumline. Gingivitis, commonly known as inflamed gums, is the final stage of this condition if it is not treated. During this stage, the gums swell, become painful, and bleed when being brushed or flossed. If gingivitis is not treated, it can turn into gum disease, which is one of the main causes of adult tooth loss.
- Brushing Excessively – Brushing your teeth more vigorously does not improve oral hygiene; rather, it increases your risk of gum recession and bleeding gums. When cleaning your teeth, switch to a toothbrush with soft bristles and alter your approach.
- Wearing Badly Fitted Dentures – Inadequately fitting dentures may scratch your gums and irritate them, which may result in bleeding gums. People who don’t take their dentures off at night could be especially prone to gum bleeding. In order to prevent plaque development and gum inflammation, it is also essential to wash your teeth thoroughly and clean your dentures if you use them.
- Health Issues – Gum bleeding occurs more frequently in people who have certain medical conditions, including liver disease, blood coagulation abnormalities, anemia, leukemia, and temporal arteritis.
- Bad Diet – Processed food has some components that might irritate and bleeding gums. A balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, foods high in calcium, vitamins A, K, and C, and foods high in magnesium is preferable to processed and sugary foods.
- Pregnancy – Pregnant women endure swollen, red, painful gums that bleed when they clean or floss their teeth. This happens because hormonal changes connected to pregnancy alter how the body responds to the bacteria that cause gum disease. Take good care of your gums and teeth throughout pregnancy by brushing them twice day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily.
- Drugs That Thin The Blood – Drugs that thin the blood make it less likely to clot, which makes bleeding more likely. This may be a problem for dental operations including deep cleaning, extractions, and dental implant insertion that result in bleeding. As a result, you should always disclose to your dentist at each dental appointment whether you take any blood thinners.
- Bleeding Following Dental Procedures or Injuries – After receiving dental care or suffering an oral or dental-related accident, you can begin to bleed. Hot beverages and crunchy foods should be avoided. Cold foods, like yogurt, may be simpler to eat and relieve pain. Your mouth may itch if you smoke. Try to reduce or stop your smoking if you do. Avoid intense activity, and if you experience pain, get guidance on available painkillers.
The key to treating bleeding gums is identifying and eradicating its underlying cause. If the gum bleeding is caused by dental issues, proper dental care is required. However, if an underlying medical condition is what is causing the gums to bleed, then this condition needs to be found and addressed.
What to do if you have bleeding gums?
Gum bleeding is a constant indication that something is amiss. Since your gums are typically healthy, chewing on tough foods does not harm them. Regular oral hygiene routines and being attentive to what you put in your mouth can typically help you mend yourself if your gums bleed every now and then.
You should be concerned if the gum bleeding keeps getting worse. Visit your dentist as soon as possible if the bleeding persists despite regular mouth hygiene. By doing this, your dentist will be able to treat any early signs of periodontal disease or gum disease before they worsen.
