Reasons Why Your Gums Are Bleeding

The vast majority of people occasionally experience bleeding gums. There are several reasons why gums may bleed. If you are lucky, you can stop your gums from bleeding simply by changing the way you brush or floss. But if you are like most adults, you have gingivitis – a common yet manageable oral condition.

What Is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the first stage and mildest form of gum disease. It occurs when oral bacteria deposit a significant amount of plaque on the teeth. That plaque gradually hardens until it becomes tartar, which creates a barrier that protects bacteria as they proceed to irritate the gumline.

If you allow the hard film on your teeth to continue accumulating, your gums may become swollen, tender and darker in color. You may notice that your gums are receding and your breath smells bad. You are also likely to notice that your gums bleed when you floss or brush, although gingivitis may cause gums to bleed without provocation.

Who Is at Risk of Gingivitis?

Anyone can suffer from gingivitis, but certain conditions may increase your chance of contracting gum disease. Old age is a common contributing factor. Whereas 47.2% of people aged 30 years and older have some form of gum disease, 70.1% of people aged 65 and older have the same. Tobacco use can also increase your risk of gum disease, as can poor nutrition.

How Do You Treat Gingivitis?

Practicing good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent gingivitis: Brush before and after bed, and floss at least once daily. Regular visits to the dentist are also essential to preventing gingivitis.

If you are already experiencing bleeding from your gums, only a cleaning by a dental hygienist can remove the tartar that is likely causing the problem. A single teeth cleaning is often enough to clear up gingivitis completely! And if your gums are bleeding for any other reason, your dentist may be able to diagnose the cause.

What Are the Other Potential Causes of Bleeding Gums?

Gingivitis is a common reason for bleeding gums, but it is far from the only one. Here are several other reasons why you may have noticed that your gums are bleeding.

• Brushing too hard can cause gum recession, which is frequently accompanied by bleeding. Brushing more gently, using a soft-bristled toothbrush, and holding the brush at a 45° angle to your teeth can help you avoid further damage to your gumline.
• Flossing incorrectly can also injure your gums. Rather than abandoning flossing altogether, simply improve your technique to avoid discomfort and bleeding.
• Vitamin deficiency can manifest itself in a number of different ways, including bleeding gums. Because vitamin K is essential to blood coagulation, its deficiency may produce significant oral bleeding. In addition to increased tooth mobility, vitamin C deficiency (aka scurvy) may cause oral bleeding as well.
• Certain bleeding disorders can cause gums to bleed; alternatively, these disorders may cause gums to bleed excessively after what should have been negligible oral trauma. For example, hemophilia inhibits the body’s ability to stop bleeding, and von Willebrand disease similarly interferes with natural blood clotting.
• Pregnancy is often accompanied by far-reaching hormonal changes. Most women experience pregnancy gingivitis as the result of heightened levels of progesterone and estrogen – both hormones that increase the gums’ sensitivity to bacteria.
• Blood thinning medications such as aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel and heparin are all capable of causing gums to bleed. Exercising gentler dental hygiene is advisable if you are taking a blood thinner, but do tell your doctor or dentist if you experience excessive oral bleeding while you are on any medication.
• Dentures and braces, when they aren’t fitted correctly, may cause sufficient gum irritation to produce bleeding.
• Leukemia is a type of cancer that can reduce the number of platelets within blood. These specialized blood cells are instrumental to blood clotting, which is why their absence can cause gum bleeding. Consult your oncologist if you experience bleeding gums while you are being treated for cancer.

The best way to prevent bleeding gums is simple: Receive regular dental care from a dental hygienist. If you live in the greater Logan, Utah area and would like the best preventative oral care, then we welcome you to contact All About Teeth today to schedule your visit!