Contributed by- Healthians Team
When we think of oral health, we focus on our teeth and gums. Gum health is an important part of oral health and also plays a vital role in the overall health of your body. Healthy gums don’t bleed very easily, but if while brushing or after washing your mouth, you notice bleeding in your gums, then there may be an underlying health condition causing your gums to bleed. Understanding the primary cause of bleeding gums can help you treat and cure the condition of bleeding gums. Read on to get a clear understanding of what causes bleeding gums and what steps you can take to prevent it.
What are bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums occurs from inadequate plaque removal from the teeth at the gum line and results in inflammation. If plaque isn’t removed it’ll harden into tartar and leads to a more advanced form of gum disease. Persistent gum bleeding may also indicate serious health conditions, including:
- Periodontitis
- Leukaemia
- Vitamin deficiency
- Lack of clotting cells
What are the conditions that cause bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums mean many different things. If you can find the underlying cause, you will be able to resolve the issues of bleeding gums. Here are some of the conditions that may cause your gums to bleed.
Brushing too Hard
When you brush too hard, it can cause damage to the teeth and gums. Using too much pressure on your teeth while brushing can cause the gums to bleed. Sometimes hard bristles can also cause your gums to bleed. Brushing your teeth should be like massaging your teeth and you should always choose a toothbrush which is not too hard or soft.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis disease occurs when bacteria and plaque is accumulated on the surface of your teeth and beneath your gum lines. This results in swelling and bleeding gums. By using the ideal oral hygiene processes such as brushing your teeth regularly, cleaning your tongue and washing your mouth properly, you can control the gum bleeding and prevent the disease like gingivitis.
Medications
Certain medicines and painkillers may thin the blood and cause your gums to bleed. If your gums are bleeding after taking a new medication, you should consult with your doctor or dentist to get a clear picture of your gum health and make changes in medications.
Flossing
It is essential to floss regularly to prevent gum bleeding and protect your oral health. Gum bleeding is common when you start a new flossing routine or have missed a few days of flossing. This often discourages people to continue flossing, which allows the problem to rise. It will often stop bleeding after some days of flossing routine.
Pregnancy
Many changes in the body occur during pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy make the gums more vulnerable to plaque and lead to bleeding gums. These hormonal changes in pregnant women can make them more susceptible to the development of gingivitis.
Dentures
If you wear dentures, then it is important to ensure that they fit properly. When dentures don’t fit properly, it will often move inside the mouth and cause the dentures to rub against the gums. This can lead to bleeding gums.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease and also called periodontal disease. This disease develops from the initial stage of gingivitis. This disease has a long-term effect and is more difficult to treat than gingivitis. Periodontal disease can damage dental tissues and causes more bleeding than normal. If periodontitis isn’t treated on time, it can lead to teeth loss and many additional oral health problems.
Diabetes
Diabetes can make your immune system weak, which increases the likelihood of infections. Bleeding gums may be an early indication of diabetes. For this reason, it is extremely important to consult with your doctor when you are experiencing bleeding gums.
Deficiency in Vitamin C or Vitamin K
Bleeding gums can also occur due to vitamin deficiencies. If you aren’t consuming enough vitamin C or vitamin K, you may find your gums to bleed regularly. Sufficient amounts of these vitamins that you consume can help to minimize the oral health issues and control bleeding.
What are the symptoms that can occur with bleeding gums?
The symptoms of bleeding gums include-
- Bad breath
- Bright red or purple appearance of gums
- Gum tenderness
- Loose or missing teeth
- Mouth sores
- Poorly fitting dentures
- Swollen gums
How to stop gums from bleeding?
Good oral hygiene and some home remedies may treat and prevent bleeding gums. Here are some steps you can take to prevent gum bleeding:
- Use an ice pack: You can hold a small ice pack, or an ice cube against swollen, bleeding gums to reduce the pain. Ice packs are helpful to soothe minor mouth injuries that cause swelling and also help reduce pain and swelling caused by gingivitis.
- Apply turmeric paste: The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin in turmeric help to stop the gums from bleeding. You can apply the turmeric paste to your gums when it’s bleeding.
- Use mouthwash: Antibacterial properties of mouthwashes can treat and prevent bleeding gums. They can kill bacteria and reduce inflammation of bleeding gums.
- Use the right toothbrush: If you have sensitive gums, you can opt for a toothbrush with soft bristles or change your old toothbrush to stop bleeding gums.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking harms the body’s immune system, meaning the body is less able to fight off the bacteria that naturally stick to the gums. Quitting smoking can improve the immune system and protect the health of a person’s mouth and gums.
While the problem of bleeding gums is a very common dental and oral health condition, you can manage it by following proper oral hygiene. To know the exact reason that causes your gums to bleed, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor or go for a dental checkup.
