Lately, or in the past, you might have noticed a little blood while you are brushing or flossing your teeth. Is it because you’re brushing too hard, not enough, or a sign of something more serious? We have several reasons this might happen that you should check into if you have bleeding gums.
The Less Serious
Brushing Method
Maybe your toothbrush isn’t soft enough. Look into getting a softer, bristled brush. You could also just be brushing too hard. It’s not the intensity that does the job, but the method. Make sure you are getting along the gumline and being thorough.
Not Flossing Enough or Just Started
Our gums adhere to what they are used to. If they are used to flossing, they will attune to it. Otherwise, they will bleed a bit for some time. After a few days they should get used to it. If it’s been a while, they will bleed and have to get used to it all over again.
Gingivitis
The most common situation is that you may have gingivitis. It’s a minor gum disease that will cause the gums to swell and be tender. If not treated, it can lead to tooth loss and periodontitis. The biggest reason this occurs is from poor dental hygiene. Make sure you brush AND floss regularly. If you do so, this mild gum disease can be reversed and/or avoided.
Situational
There are a few situations that can make your gums bleed. If you take certain medications such as blood thinners, that can cause easy bleeding. If you are pregnant, you can get pregnancy gingivitis, due to your progesterone hormone levels giving you an increase in susceptibility in developing bacterial plaque. You might have dentures that don’t fit very well and that could cause gum bleeding or dental restorations that aren’t working out causing your gums to react.
The More Serious
Diabetes
When you have diabetes, your mouth can lose some of its immunity building strength, making you more likely to get infections. High blood sugar levels make your body work harder at healing, so bleeding or swollen gums can take a while to get to a normal state.
Weak Blood Clotting Conditions
Blood clotting conditions suchas Leukemia, Thrombocytopenia or Hemophilia lessen your body’s platelet count. If you bleed, clotting will not happen quickly or you might have trouble clotting at all. Bleeding gums could be a sign of something more serious in this case.
Vitamin Deficiencies
Certain vitamins really make a difference in the way our bodies function. Vitamin C, for example, helps your tissue repair itself and grow. It also strengthens your bones and teeth. If you don’t have enough of it, you can get scurvy. Vitamin K helps your blood clot properly. Bleeding gums may indicate you’re not getting enough K or that your body does not absorb it well.
Periodontitis
The less serious gingivitis can lead to this more serious disease. It’s a long-term gum condition that damages the bones that support your teeth and tissue. Your gums not only become infected and inflamed, but they also pull away from the roots of your teeth. This can lead to loosened teeth, bad breath, an uneven bite, and tender gums.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer because it is typically not detected and diagnosed until late-stage when it’s too late. Unexplained bleeding gums can be a symptom of this condition.
Bottom Line for Bleeding Gums
Taking into consideration all that we have listed, you should never just assume your condition. The best thing you can do is to visit your dentist and possibly your doctor if this is a reoccurring situation. Sometimes our body’s reactions, such as bleeding gums, are a warning flare. Ignoring them could really be costly.
Need to make an appointment with a dentist? At Miami Valley Smiles, we’re on a mission to keep our friends, families, neighbors, and community members happy and healthy – and smiling! To request an appointment, please call us at (513) 445-4064 or click here to provide your contact information and preferences for the day and time of your appointment.
