What Do Bleeding Gums Mean?

Bleeding gums are a clear warning sign that you might have a dental issue that needs professional attention. The difference between bleeding gums due to dental disease and bleeding gums resulting from an injury lies in the location. When you examine your mouth in a mirror and see pooling blood along the ridge of your gums where they make contact with the teeth, either in a specific spot or along the contact ridge across multiple teeth, that’s a sign that the bleeding gums are the result of an underlying dental issue. In that circumstance, seek out the help of a dental professional as soon as possible.

Causes of Bleeding Gums
It’s obvious to see when you have bleeding gums, but it’s not as obvious what causes them. Here is a list of potential causes. While the list is extensive, always seek out professional advice for a proper diagnosis.

Gingivitis
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your teeth.”

Multiple factors cause Gingivitis, chief among them is lack of proper dental hygiene. Speak with your dentist to learn what may be causing Gingivitis and how to treat it.

New Brushing and Flossing Habits
It may sound strange, but your toothbrush might be the cause of bleeding gums. Your gums, just like any other soft tissue on your body, get used to the roughness of your normal brand of toothbrush and type of floss. When you change to a toothbrush with stiff bristles or switch from tape floss to rope floss, your gums may bleed lightly while they toughen up to match the new cleaning instruments. Even a new type of toothpaste can irritate your gums if it has whitening chemicals or scrubbing crystals.

Be sure not to apply too much pressure and give your gums time to toughen up. If the bleeding persists, seek the advice of a dental professional.

Pregnancy gingivitis
During pregnancy, a woman will frequently have higher levels of progesterone hormone. Progesterone increases the sensitivity and susceptibility of a woman’s mouth to bacteria that generate plaque.

If you’re pregnant and have not changed your oral hygiene routine but notice an increase in bleeding gums, your dentist may prescribe a prescription mouthwash or suggest changes in your diet to reduce the presence of plaque-forming bacteria.

Periodontitis
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Periodontitis (per-e-o-don-TIE-tis), also called gum disease, is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and, without treatment, can destroy the bone that supports your teeth.” Periodontitis is similar to Gingivitis in that they both can be caused by excess bacteria or poor oral hygiene habits, but Periodontitis is more severe and can lead to permanent damage of the teeth, gums, and jaw if left untreated. Your dentist may recommend a Periodontic Procedure to address the symptoms and the root cause.

Vitamin Deficiency
Good gum health is dependent on enough vitamins in your body to enable your tissue gums to grow, repair, and maintain good blood flow. The two vitamins most important for gum health are Vitamin C and Vitamin K.

Vitamin C Deficiency
Vitamin C is necessary for strengthening your teeth and bones, as well as stimulating the growth and repair of gum tissue. When your body lacks Vitamin C, the support system around your teeth can weaken, and gum bleeding occurs. If the Vitamin C deficiency is too extreme, you may develop Scurvy.

The best solution for a lack of Vitamin C is to adjust your diet to include Vitamin C supplements and to eat foods rich in Vitamin C such as Citrus, Cherries, and dark leafy greens

Vitamin K Deficiency
Vitamin K is necessary for good bone strength and blood clotting. Without enough Vitamin K in your system, soft tissue damage bleeds too easily and doesn’t stop easily, leading to persistent bleeding gums.

Similar to a Vitamin C deficiency, the best prevention is a diet adjustment. Take supplements that contain Vitamin K and adjust your diet to include dark leafy greens and meats.

Damage from Dental Appliances
It may seem obvious, but if your dentures are poking your gums regularly enough to cause bleeding, that’s a strong indication that your dentures need a fitting adjustment. It’s uncommon for every dental appliance to fit perfectly on the first try, but It’s also common for patients not to request a fitting change due to time and expense. The health of your gums is more important than your convenience, so speak to your orthodontist to check the fitting if you notice any bleeding.

Blood Diseases
For some, bleeding gums may be a symptom of an underlying problem that doesn’t have anything to do with oral hygiene. Patients suffering from Leukemia, Diabetes, Hemophilia, or any other diseases that harm platelet counts and the body’s blood flow can start to experience bleeding gums.

In such cases, home remedies or changes in dietary habits may not be enough. Seek out the advice of a dentist as medication may be necessary to help stop the bleeding.

Again, the best cure is prevention. Make sure your diet has enough vitamin-rich food, practice good oral hygiene, and if you experience bleeding gums for an extended period, see your dentist.