Why Your Gums are Bleeding

Do you sometimes notice blood on your toothbrush or in your sink when you brush your teeth? If so, then you should know that it is something that you should never ignore. It is possible that your gums bled a bit because you ate something coarse and it scratched them. However, if this is a regular occurrence, then it might be a more serious problem.

 

If you have no idea why your gums are bleeding, read on, as we give you five reasons why they do and what you can do to stop them:

 

  1. Gingivitis

Plaque and cavity-causing bacteria can build up on your teeth and result to inflammation of your gums. This is what we call gingivitis. It is usually painless and there are no symptoms so there is a possibility that you don’t know you have one, except there are bloodstains on your toothbrush. Gingivitis can progress to a periodontal disease and lead to eventual tooth loss. It can still be reversed though, or avoid altogether. The solution? A meticulous routine that includes thorough brushing and flossing, to make sure you have removed all that plaque.

 

  1. Smoking

Smokers are simply prone to bleeding gums. Irritating toxins are left on your teeth when you inhale smoke and it could be hard to remove the stains once there’s a build-up. These same substances can irritate the gums and cause them to bleed.

 

  1. Poor Diet

If you do not eat the recommended servings of vegetables and fruits for each day, you could be giving your gums reason to be inflamed. Remember that staying healthy is the best defense you can have to protect yourself from any problem.

 

  1. Pregnancy

It could be because of hormonal changes that are common when a woman is pregnant. If you are not, then it could be because of your menstruation. It is not uncommon for women to experience hormonal gingivitis which is associated with their monthly periods.

 

  1. Poor Oral Hygiene

Are you brushing way too hard? Or have you been forgetting you should brush every time you eat?  If you do not have a regular oral hygiene routine, it will be your gums to suffer the consequences. You should brush your teeth, floss, and make sure you remove all the plaque and other food debris.

These are only some of the possible reasons why your gums are bleeding. Whatever is causing it though, you have to make sure you pay your dentist a visit at Pickering Square Dental to check it for you.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, or periodontitis, is a serious gum disease that is caused by bacteria in the mouth and may result in eventual loss of teeth if not properly treated.  In fact, gum disease of this nature is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.  In most cases periodontal disease is caused by an advancement from gingivitis where pockets form between the inner layer of the gum and the teeth.  These pockets accumulated debris and, in time, may become infected.  Eventually the pockets get deeper and more tissue is destroyed – a series of events which ends in tooth loss.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms that may imply you have periodontitis.  Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing is a major one as are receding, red, or tender gums.  If you notice the pockets between teeth and gum have formed that is a sure sign.  Other symptoms include persistent bad breath and changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite down.

Causes

The most common cause, as stated above, is the plaque build-up that characterizes gingivitis but there are other factors in play as well.  Certain illnesses can play a part and people with diabetes especially are more prone to infection.  Hormonal changes like puberty or pregnancy can make gums more sensitive and certain medications may cause dry mouth which can aggravate the issue.  Additionally poor health habits like smoking or general lack of oral hygiene such as not brushing or flossing can make it easier for bacteria to take hold.

Treatment and Prevention

Once periodontal disease has taken hold treatments will need to be made by a dentist to reverse or repair any damage.  Professional dental cleaning will often stop the problem before it starts by removing plaque and tartar.  Root planing and scaling, which is a deep-cleaning technique will remove bacteria and smooth trouble spots.  Often the above are all that is necessary to prevent and treat periodontal disease however if the case is severe surgical interventions such as bone and tissue grafts may become necessary in order to retain your natural teeth.

Periodontal disease can be scary but if you take the right precautions you’re likely able to avoid it altogether.  Keep up good dental care habits and see your dentist regularly and you’ll be able to ensure you never have to deal with the unpleasantness of severe gum disease.  If you think you have periodontal disease and want an expert opinion contact us at Pickering Square Dental today.

5 Possible Causes of Gum Bleeding

When you notice traces of blood in your saliva after brushing or flossing, it can be a disconcerting experience. But there could be a perfectly harmless reason for gum bleeding. It’s important to do your research, however, and make sure a more serious medical or dental concern is not behind your bleeding issue. Within this blog, we’ll outline five possible causes of gum bleeding.

1. Poor Hygiene

Have you been skipping occasionally skipping brushing and flossing a minimum of twice daily? This could be the reason that your gums are inflamed and bleeding.  Poor oral hygiene habits can cause the build-up of plaque and tartar on the gums. This, in turn, can cause the gums to bleed at even the slightest contact from the brush.  If not addressed it could lead to more serious oral health issues!

2. Vitamin C Deficiency.

Vitamin C deficiency occurs when you don’t have enough fruit and vegetables in your diet. It’s a problem that can lead to swollen gums that bleed more easily. By simply going to your doctor and explaining your symptoms you can be tested for vitamin deficiency.

3. Hormonal Changes

For women going through puberty or pregnancy, bleeding gums is a common occurrence. This is due to the hormonal changes taking place in your body, which can often be mitigated by a dental professional.

4. A Medication Side-Effect

Many of the leading medications for epilepsy and cancer are known to cause gum bleeding. This is a problem that many patients experience while battling their condition and can often be reduced through concerted steps taken by both the doctor and the dentist. Certain over-the-counter medications such as aspirin can also cause some gum bleeding, but this is quite rare among the general population.

5. A Smoking Side-Effect

For smokers, gum bleeding can be a side-effect of their habit. That’s because tobacco smoke contain numerous chemicals that can affect our body’s ability to fight against bacterial plaque. This means that, by giving up smoking, you can not only improve your general health but also your oral health for the long-term.

Gum bleeding issues can be treated if you know the cause. Speak with our team, and don’t wait until it’s too late to report gum bleeding… get to the root of the problem!