You’re brushing your teeth as usual and rinse out. But instead of just clear water and foamy toothpaste going down the drain, you see bright red blood. It’s an unnerving sight, but what does it mean? Can you do something to treat your bleeding gums yourself, or do you need to see your dentist as soon as possible?
First, give yourself points if you recognize bleeding gums as the first sign of early gum disease, known as gingivitis — which, if left untreated, can progress to advanced gum disease — known as periodontitis, which is one of the leading reasons for tooth loss in adults. We’ll cover this in detail, but there are other conditions that can cause your gums to bleed.
The Leading Causes of Bleeding Gums
The main cause of bleeding gums is the buildup of plaque at the gumline. As our blog post —“Types of Gum Disease” — covers, plaque is a sticky film composed mainly of bacteria. Plaque forms on your teeth when starches and sugars in food interact with bacteria normally found in your mouth. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day removes plaque, but it very quickly forms again.
If left to establish itself, plaque can harden under your gumline into tartar (calculus). Filled with bacteria, tartar is harder to remove. The longer plaque and tartar remain on your teeth, the more damage they can do. You can’t get rid of tartar by brushing and flossing. Only a professional dental cleaning can remove it. If not removed, plaque sets up the conditions for gingivitis.
Other causes of bleeding gums include the following:
Diabetes — The link between diabetes and oral health problems is high blood sugar. As Cleveland Clinic explains, “If blood sugar is poorly controlled, oral health problems are more likely to develop. This is because uncontrolled diabetes weakens white blood cells, which are the body’s main defense against bacterial infections that can occur in the mouth.” Another complication of diabetes is that it causes blood vessels to thicken. This slows the flow of nutrients to and waste products from body tissues, including the mouth — which results in the body losing its ability to fight infections. Our blog post — “Diabetes and Oral Health” — covers this topic in greater detail.
Moreover, according to Golden State Dentistry, gum bleeding is more common in those with other health issues — such as liver disease, blood clotting disorders, anemia, leukemia and temporal arteritis.
Blood-thinning medications — Blood thinning medications reduce the ability of blood to clot, which can result in easier bleeding. This can be a concern for dental procedures that cause bleeding — such as a deep cleaning, extractions and dental implant placement. Therefore, you should always tell your dentist if you are taking blood thinning medications at every dental visit.
Pregnancy — Some women develop a condition known as “pregnancy gingivitis,” an inflammation of the gums that can cause swelling and tenderness. According to WebMD, 40 percent of women will develop gingivitis sometime during their pregnancy. Your gums also may bleed a little when you brush or floss. Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings to prevent gingivitis. And yes, it is safe to visit the dentist while pregnant! Our blog post — “What You Need to Know About Dental Care During Pregnancy” — covers this topic in detail. Also, hormone fluctuations that occur during puberty and menopause can cause gums to bleed.
Smoking — According to WebMD, it appears that smoking interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells. This interference makes smokers more susceptible to infections, such as periodontal disease, and also seems to impair blood flow to the gums ― which may affect wound healing. Our blog post ― “How Smoking Affects Your Oral Health” ― covers this topic in detail.
Nutrient deficiencies — It is possible to eat three full meals a day and still be poorly nourished! Some ingredients in processed food can irritate the gums and cause them to bleed. Avoid processed and sugary food, and opt for a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, and food rich in calcium, vitamins A, K and C, and magnesium.
The deficiencies most commonly associated with bleeding gums are:
- Vitamin K. This vitamin helps your blood to clot and also helps to moderate your immune system and fight inflammation. So not only does a lack of vitamin K make your gums more susceptible to bleeding, it also makes you more vulnerable to infection and inflammation from gum disease.
- Vitamin C. This vitamin keeps teeth and gums strong and repairs damaged tissues. Deficiency is associated with swelling and poor wound healing, so gums might bleed easily and take longer to heal.
- Vitamin D. The “sunshine vitamin” is essential for a healthy immune system. As with vitamin K, a lack of this vitamin can leave you vulnerable to gum disease and bleeding gums.
Brushing too hard — Contrary to popular belief, brushing your teeth vigorously doesn’t get them cleaner. In fact, it can cut and irritate gums, as well as erode enamel — which can’t be replaced. Dentists recommend a soft-bristled toothbrush, and flossing to thoroughly remove food from between teeth. Buy a new brush every three to four months.
Poorly fitting dentures — Dentures that do not fit properly can cause gum bleeding if they scratch your gums and cause sores. People who don’t remove their dentures at bedtime may be especially prone to bleeding gums. In addition, it is especially important to brush your remaining teeth and clean your dentures well to prevent plaque buildup and gum inflammation.
Treatment of Bleeding Gums
Even if you think the cause of your bleeding gums is mechanical — such as brushing too hard — don’t diagnose yourself! Scheduling an appointment with your dentist is the only way to receive an accurate diagnosis and timely, appropriate treatment.
By the way, you may have seen the toothpaste commercial that asks if bleeding gums should be a cause for concern. However, the commercial doesn’t communicate the urgency of seeing your dentist as soon as possible. Bleeding gums always indicate a condition that needs immediate attention. Brushing with one particular toothpaste brand won’t treat the cause. Your dentist may recommend a particular brand after an examination and diagnosis of gingivitis, but attempting to diagnose and treat yourself based on a TV commercial will put your oral health at serious risk.
If your dentist determines that something other than periodontal disease could be the cause, you may be referred to your primary healthcare provider. If so, follow up with your dentist afterward to let him/her know about your diagnosis and treatment — including medications you’ve been prescribed.
How to Prevent Bleeding Gums
As you’ve probably assumed by now, making good oral hygiene practices part of your lifestyle is essential to preventing bleeding gums. Colgate and Healthline recommend the following protocol:
- Brush twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. If you’re not used to flossing every day, you might notice a little bleeding at first. This should go away after a couple of days of consistent flossing, so be sure to make it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.
- Your oral hygiene tools could be the cause of your bleeding gums. Although it might seem like a toothbrush with medium or firm bristles cleans your teeth better, harder bristles usually cause irritation — which as mentioned earlier can cause your gums to bleed. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using a toothbrush with soft bristles, which cleans your teeth and gums thoroughly without irritation. You might also consider using an electric toothbrush. The specially designed brush heads on these toothbrushes can help you to clean your gumline more easily than a manual toothbrush.
- Be careful with dental floss. Snapping the floss or sawing away at your gumline can cause bleeding gums, so go gently. If you find that floss isn’t working for you, consider other interdental cleaning tools, like water flossers or picks.
- Your dentist may recommend an antiseptic mouthwash to minimize plaque. If so, make it part of your routine. Rinsing your mouth with hydrogen peroxide can likewise be beneficial in preventing plaque build-up. Ask your dentist which is better for your particular oral care needs.
- Of course, schedule a twice-yearly examination and cleaning with your dentist! This regular cleaning will remove plaque, as well as allow your dentist to monitor your teeth, gums, upper/lower palate and tongue for any changes that may require treatment.
The Take-Home Message
Although bleeding gums can have many causes, each cause necessitates scheduling an appointment with your dentist for diagnosis and treatment. Fortunately, there is much you can do to prevent your gums from bleeding. Practicing good oral hygiene, taking care of your overall well-being and visiting your dentist twice a year will go a long way in keeping your gums healthy!
At NK Family Dental, it is our mission to provide the highest quality and most compassionate oral care to our Chicago patients, including both dental and periodontal services. Our practice is trusted for advanced oral surgery procedures and comfortable root canal treatment.
Our team of experienced, dedicated dental professionals will help address your oral health concerns, and determine the best solution for you based on your individual situation. We strive to identify treatment options that fit your needs.
Our dental specialists include our general dentist, Dr. Nilofer Khan, our endodontist, Dr. Sabek, and our periodontist, Dr. Amir Danesh. Dr. Danesh is a board-certified periodontist and Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology. He has contributed to the publication of two books, as well as published over 20 papers in prestigious dental research journals.
We serve the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Wicker Park with the dedication that’s earned us the reputation as the Best Dentist in Chicago!
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