You might very well be getting frustrated because you practice good oral hygiene habits every day, yet you still see your gums bleeding. It could be from something as terrifically simple as just being too aggressive with your brushing or your flossing techniques. It could be a symptom of another persistent issue. You should really consider making an appointment with your dental office for an examination. Bleeding gums are most often the result of gum disease. Or it could be a symptom of another oral health problem. The gums play an underrated role in the infrastructure of your entire mouth. They encompass each tooth, providing a tight seal around them. Completely different than the soft tissue of your cheeks, your gums are connected to the underlying supporting bone, which controls the friction resistance with your food consumption.
Common Causes for Bleeding Gums
Unfortunate oral health issues are quite often the primary cause of gum bleeding. Gingivitis and periodontitis are progressive levels of gum disease that infect your gums, causing damage and making them more sensitive and vulnerable to swelling and bleeding. You could have bleeding gums from another cause:
- You suffer from gingivitis, the initial stage of gum disease, causing inflammation.
- You take certain medications, like a blood thinner.
- You are too aggressive when brushing your teeth, or the toothbrush bristles are too stiff.
- You may also be too aggressive in flossing, irritating the gums.
- Hormones will change with pregnancy, which causes your gums to be inflamed and bleed.
- Your dentures do not fit well, and the slipping and rubbing are causing bleeding.
- You have dental restorations that were not placed properly.
- A deficiency in either vitamin C or vitamin K.
- A lack of platelets will cause blood-clotting problems.
- You are diabetic or have leukemia.
How to Treat Your Bleeding Gums
If your gums keep bleeding for a second week, you should schedule a dental evaluation to identify the source. Sometimes the bleeding gums can be easily treated at home with a saltwater rinse or simply mouthwash. The most common and leading cause of bleeding gums is gum disease. Over half of adult Americans over the age of thirty have had some form of gum disease. Your dental team will rigorously evaluate your teeth and gums, take X-rays, and then identify the actual source of your issue. If it is gum disease, the treatment is quite common and successful. Gum disease is the immediate consequence of plaque and tartar accumulating on your teeth. This plaque contains damaging bacteria that infect the soft gum tissue the minute it comes in contact. By thoroughly and professionally cleaning your teeth, the dental team removes the plaque with either a hand scaler or ultrasonic device, therefore completely removing the sole source of the infection. In just a few days, your gums will heal naturally, the swelling subsides, the bleeding ends, and the color returns to a natural pink.
Your dentist will also treat you if the source of your gum bleeding is another cause. Lab work can identify any personal health deficiencies. They can identify if the cause is simply from your aggressive brushing or flossing incorrectly. If you question any signs of bleeding gums, consider scheduling a dental exam soon.