How Do You Treat Bleeding Gums?

Bleeding gums, also called gingivitis, is a phenomenon that affects many people. Even if it is a chronic dental problem, it should not be overlooked since it can be a sign of periodontal disease, and sometimes even more general pathologies. Healthy gums are pink and do not bleed. And if your gums bleed regularly, it is best to go to your dentist, who can find the cause, and solve the problem you are having. Indeed, it is not so easy to find the origin of this bleeding, which can be caused by different gum diseases, but also health conditions (which do not necessarily have to do with your teeth). If you suffer from this phenomenon repeatedly, it is best to address the problem fairly quickly. So here is all you need to know if your gums are bleeding, the probable causes, but also the best treatment for regaining teeth and healthy gums.

How Can This Bleeding Manifest?

The first case is acute and punctual bleeding. In this case, this phenomenon will not be associated with other symptoms that may bring it closer to a disease of your gums (such as swelling, sharp pain, or inflammation).

Typically, this acute bleeding from your gum is caused by traumatic irritation to your teeth when you brush your teeth too aggressively (or with a toothbrush that is too hard) or eat particularly hard foods. It is also possible that gum burns, caused by very hot food, are causing your gum bleeding.

The second case will concern people in whom this bleeding gum is chronic and returns more regularly. The cause of this phenomenon is, therefore, the bacteria which will deposit on the enamel of your teeth and secrete little by little a substance called dental plaque. If it is not removed regularly (especially when you brush your teeth), it can attack your gum and have an inflammatory effect. Your gum will then be more fragile, and at the slightest touch, bleed.

You should, therefore, see blood in your mucus when you brush your teeth since it is this mechanical trauma that will cause the bleeding by attacking the tissues of the gums. You can also bleed after brushing your teeth, or if you have a habit of grinding them. In all cases, your gums will continue to bleed regularly until you treat the inflammation that caused them. It is also advisable to attack it as soon as possible if you do not want this gingivitis to degenerate into periodontitis, and cause the loss of your tooth.

What Are the Reasons Why Your Gums Are Bleeding?

As we have just seen, several dental or general problems can be the cause of this bleeding from your gums. Here are the main causes.

Gum disease

The most likely cause if you have bleeding gums is that you have a dental disease such as gingivitis, for example. This inflammation of the gums is the first cause of bleeding. In this case, it is the activity of bacteria on your teeth that will cause inflammation of your gums and cause haemorrhage at each aggression (brushing teeth, consumption of very hard food, etc.).

Other possible causes

Bleeding from your gums is not always due to a dental problem, and their inflammation may be related to another medical condition, including:

• a bone marrow injury (and a change in your blood platelets);
• uremia causing a tromboplastic factor deficiency;
• vascular disorders related to a vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) or an allergy;
• hemophilia, leukemia, or another health problem that affects your blood clotting;
• vitamin K deficiency causing hypoprothrombinemia;
• taking anxiolytics, anticoagulants or salicylates (which will cause mechanical problems in your gums)

Questions? Contact Dr. Brian Gurinsky

If you have any additional questions about the impact that your gums have on your oral health or are looking to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gurinsky, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly staff today!

We offer periodontal services in two convenient locations: One periodontal office in Denver, CO and one periodontal office in Centennial, CO.