You’ll probably struggle with bleeding gums at one point or another. Maybe you brushed your teeth too aggressively or suffered with an ill-fitting mouthguard or dentures. Unfortunately, the cause isn’t always so innocuous. Bleeding gums are also a symptom of gum disease and other serious health problems.
For today’s blog post, let’s dive into the potential causes of and treatments for bleeding gums.
To start, here are five common causes of bleeding gums.
Gingivitis
Dental care issues are the most likely cause of bleeding gums. Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, make your gums sensitive and vulnerable to bleeding. This problem occurs when plaque, the debris and bacteria that stick to your teeth, stays on your gum lines for too long. Brushing your teeth removes the plaques and helps to prevent tooth decay and cavities.
However, if you don’t brush and floss properly, the plaque may stay on your gum line and harden into tartar or calculus, increasing your chance of bleeding. Other symptoms of gingivitis include puffy gums or soreness in the mouth, especially around the gums.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis, an advanced form of gingivitis, is another common cause of gum bleeding. Periodontal disease refers to an infection of the gums, jawbone, and supportive tissues around your teeth and gums. It can also cause your teeth to become loose or even fall out.
Bleeding or blood-clotting disorders
Bleeding disorders, like hemophilia and leukemia, can also increase your risk of bleeding gums, especially if you’re on blood-thinning medications like aspirin or heparin. If you have a lack of platelets, the blood cells responsible for clotting, you are also more susceptible to bleeding.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy often causes bleeding gums due to hormonal changes that make your gums more sensitive.
Vitamin deficiency
If you’re deficient in vitamins C and/or K, you may experience bleeding gums more easily. Your doctor can check your levels with blood work. If needed, you can follow a diet that contains both nutrients. Foods with vitamin C include citrus fruits, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries, and bell peppers, while foods with vitamin K include leafy greens like kale and spinach, olive oil, and soybeans.
The first step for managing bleeding gums is a strong dental hygiene routine.
Be sure to visit your dentist two times per year for a professional cleaning and exam. Proper brushing and flossing helps to remove plaque around your gum line and reduce your risk of bleeding gums and other dental problems like gum disease. You can also use an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce plaque formation. If your gums are bothering you, try rinsing your mouth with warm salt water to soothe the soreness. You can also switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush or use an electric toothbrush, which is designed to clean your gum line more easily.
Besides improving your at-home oral hygiene, other treatment options include antibiotics, deep dental cleaning with tooth scaling or root planing, laser periodontal surgery, or osseous surgery, a procedure that reduces the size of the pockets around your teeth.
If gum disease is not the cause of your bleeding gums, it’s important that your healthcare provider identifies the cause. They may complete testing for diabetes, blood-clotting disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or other chronic health conditions. From there, they can recommend the best course of treatment.
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