What Causes Bleeding Gums?
Bleeding gums are all too common and can be caused by many things. The cause of bleeding gums can vary from gingivitis, not brushing often enough, brushing or flossing your teeth too forcefully, or using a hard bristled brush. Wearing dentures can also cause gum bleeds. If you wear dentures, regular check ups with your dental provider are important to ensure dentures are well-fitting ones. Bleeding gums can also be a symptom of other underlying conditions or health issues, such as the advanced form of gum disease called periodontal disease.
Bleeding Gums Can Be a Symptom of Disease
If your gums bleed often, you should seek advice and treatment from a dental professional at Kensington Dental Care to rule out or treat the problem. If the problem is not dental related, you should consult with your doctor since medications or severe health conditions, including bleeding disorders, can also cause bleeding gums:
- Haemophilia (or blood clotting disorders).
- Leukaemia (blood cancer).
- Vitamin deficiency.
- Blood thinning medications.
Dental Problems and Causes of Bleeding Gums
The leading cause of inflamed and bleeding gums is lack of proper dental care. Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and periodontitis cause sensitivity and can lead to your gums bleeding.
Gingivitis:
When plaque stays on gum lines for too long, it can develop early-stage gum disease or gingivitis and lead to a case of gum bleeding. Plaque contains bacteria that sticks to your teeth and needs to be brushed and flossed away correctly to help prevent gum disease and cavities (dental caries). Improper brushing or flossing can leave plaque on the gum line and can harden into calculus (tartar), which increases gum bleeding.
Gingivitis symptoms include:
- Swollen gums.
- Mouth soreness and tenderness around the gums.
- Bleeding gums.
Periodontitis:
Periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis, is usually the result of advanced gingivitis and is the cause of bleeding gums. Periodontitis is an infection of the gums and supportive tissues connecting your gums and teeth. The disease can cause your gums to bleed shortly after brushing, shrinking gums and loose teeth, which can cause tooth loss.
Vitamin Deficiency:
Vitamin C and vitamin K deficiencies can cause sore gums, bleeding gums, dry mouth and mouth ulcers. If your gums often bleed frequently and a lack of oral hygiene does not cause it, check with your doctor to ensure your vitamin C and K levels are okay. To help prevent bleeding gums, ensure you get the proper nutrients by choosing a diet with the vitamins you need for oral health. A good diet that can help prevent vitamin deficiencies and bleeding gums should include the following foods.
For Vitamin C:
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Citrus fruits and juices
- Mangoes
- Strawberries
- Potatoes
- Tomatoes
For Vitamin K:
- Kiwi fruit
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Mustard greens
- Olive oil
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Soybeans
- Watercress
Manage Bleeding Gums With Good Oral Hygiene
Don’t ignore bleeding gums. Once you know the cause of your bleeding gums, you can take steps to manage the condition, and if your gums are healthy, you can avoid gum disease altogether. The first step to managing bleeding gums and gum disease is practicing good oral hygiene to remove plaque and increase blood flow for healing.
Visit your Kensington Dental Care practitioners for checkups at least twice yearly for professional cleaning and to avoid bleeding gums. Regular dentistry can also prevent advanced gum disease, and you can find out if your gums are healthy or if there is early-stage gingivitis or periodontal disease.
Dental Treatment and Management of Bleeding Gums
Besides dental treatment to ensure you don’t develop gum disease and bleeding gums, our dentists can teach you a good brushing technique. We explain the cause of bleeding gums and suggest using an electric brush and the right way to use dental floss on tender gums.
Your dentist can advise treatment and antibacterial mouthwashes to stop bleeding gums, plaque buildup, gum problems and bad breath. For bleeding gums, the dentist may suggest rinsing your mouth with warm salt water to help relieve swollen gums that easily bleed. If your gums are bleeding shortly after brushing, you can also rinse your mouth with cold water to stop bleeding.
More Tips to Help Prevent Gum Disease
Suppose you’re not on blood thinners and have no vitamin deficiencies, health problems or a medical condition and visit a dentist regularly. In that case, you can help stop the early stages of bleeding gums. Just brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush. A soft brush is gentle on inflamed or bleeding gums, especially if you experience bleeding gums after brushing your teeth.
Do you use a manual or electric toothbrush? Using an electric toothbrush may help ease a bleeding gum problem since electric toothbrushes are designed to clean the gum line and are much better than manual toothbrushes with hard bristles that can cause bleeding.
Reach Out to Kensington Dental Care Today
With good oral hygiene, most bleeding gum problems are preventable. So practice a good flossing routine, use an antibacterial mouthwash, and brush your teeth daily. Visit your Kensington Dental Care professional every six months for a check-up, especially if your gums bleed. Contact a dentist here. Our services are provided as a preferred partner of Bupa and HCF health funds. We also accept all other health claims, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).
