Do your gums bleed?

It might seem normal to experience a little bit of bleeding from your gums while brushing or flossing, but it shouldn’t be ignored. Bleeding gums could be a sign of a number of dental problems, it’s usually a symptom that you have or may develop gum disease. It can also be a sign of a serious medical condition.

In some cases, the causes of bleeding gums may be the result of some tooth infection or injuries of the teeth.

The main cause of ongoing gum bleeding may be due to plaque buildup on the teeth and gum line. Plaque contains bacteria which attack the healthy tissue around the teeth. This causes the gums to become inflamed and irritated, which may cause them to bleed when brushing or flossing.

This is the first stage of gum disease and it is called Gingivitis or inflamed gums. It is usually a painless condition where bleeding from gums may be the only symptom. At this stage the disease can be completely reversed and treated.

Many people don’t know they have gum disease until it advances. Being aware of the symptoms can help you treat gum problem early and possibly reverse it through gum disease treatment.

Bleeding is often one of the first signs there’s a problem with your gums. Bleeding that’s accompanied by swollen red gums, tenderness, persistent bad breath or taste, tooth sensitivity are symptoms of gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. Bleeding accompanied by receding gums is also a common symptom of gum disease.

Plaque that is not removed will harden into tartar and this can lead to increased bleeding and will eventually cause the gums to separate and recede from the teeth. Once your gums begin to recede, gap can form between the teeth and gums. Germs can get trapped inside these gaps, attacking the gums and jaw bone supporting the teeth. At this point, Gingivitis has progressed into the more advanced gum disease which can cause tooth loss and may affect your overall health.

Patients are being routinely counseled about gum health and its effect on overall health in dental Clinics in India.

So it is very important not to ignore your bleeding gums. It is important to see your dentist at the first sign of bleeding gums.

Causes of Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums may also be a symptom of other problems pertaining to your mouth or body. While bleeding gums are usually a signal that you have gum disease, causes of bleeding gums can also result from:

– Poor oral hygiene and tobacco use
– Vitamin K or C deficiency
– Stress-It can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection.
– Taking blood thinners or other medications such as antidepressants, certain heart medications and oral contraceptives.
– Any Bleeding or clotting disorders, diabetes or hereditary condition.
– Infection, which can be either in a tooth or the gum
– Hormonal changes during pregnancy, resulting in pregnancy gingivitis
– Dentures that don’t fit
– Mouth sores

Regardless of your situation, it’s important to see a dentist, so that the dentist can determine its cause and offer the right treatment.

Dentists in Delhi properly assess the condition in detail and can determine what is causing gum bleeding

Bleeding Gums Treatment

The best treatment for bleeding gums is to clean and remove the plaque bacteria from your teeth and gums that caused gum bleeding.

Dentists in India make it a point to remind their patients to come for a six monthly check and clean, as gum problems remain silent for a long time.

Other treatment options such as deep cleaning/curettage and root planing procedures slow down the process of gum bleeding.

In some advanced cases, gum surgery may be required to treat gum disease.

When the bleeding is severe or long-term and your gums continue to bleed even after treatment or you have other unexplained symptoms with the bleeding, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.

Care for Bleeding Gums

– Use a soft toothbrush and brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. Aggressive brushing can further damage the soft tissues of your mouth. It is best if you can brush after every meal.
– Floss at least once a day and be sure to floss beyond the gum line to remove any remaining plaque.
– Rinse with warm salt water and avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol, which can dry out your mouth.
– Stay away from smoking and other tobacco products, which can make bleeding gums worse.
– Visit the dentist at least once every 6 months for plaque removal.
– Avoid aspirin unless your doctor has recommended that you take it.
– If side effects of any medicine are causing the bleeding gums, ask your doctor to prescribe a different medicine. Never change your medicine without talking to your doctor.
– See your dentist if your dentures or other dental appliances do not fit well and are causing sore spots on your gums.

So if you notice that you have bleeding gums, see a dentist as soon as you can. Seeking bleeding gums treatment at the first sign of a problem can help reverse gum bleeding and help prevent serious gum disease.

Posted by- Dr Shriya