Why Are My Gums Bleeding?
If you notice that your gums bleed easily when you brush or floss your teeth, the cause could be something as simple as brushing or flossing technique or as potentially damaging as gum disease. It’s not uncommon for a person’s gums to bleed on occasion, but if your gums bleed consistently over several days, or if you find that they bleed intermittently for a month or more, see your dentist. If the bleeding is caused by improper cleaning techniques, your dentist and dental hygienist can review the best cleaning methods and materials with you. If the bleeding is caused by inflammation in the gums, your dentist can treat this inflammation, known as gingivitis, and prevent it from progressing. When gingival inflammation goes untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, a condition in which the connective tissues in the oral cavity become compromised by inflammation and begin to detach from the teeth and bone. Periodontitis, when left untreated, can lead to tooth loss, degradation and resorption of the jawbone, and even systemic infection that can be life-threatening.
Overly aggressive brushing and flossing can damage the gum tissue and cause bleeding, and these habits can also contribute to the likelihood of gum disease when the teeth and gums are ineffectively or incompletely cleaned. Your dentist can help you learn proper cleaning techniques and can also diagnose and treat gum disease, preventing bleeding gums from continuing and restoring the oral tissues to health. While gingivitis and improper brushing are the two most common causes of bleeding gums, there are several factors that can contribute to the problem. Swelling and bleeding in the gums are more likely in patients with diabetes, which compromises the body’s immune system, increasing the likelihood of gum disease and other inflammatory infections and interfering with the body’s ability to heal.
Bleeding gums can also indicate leukemia and other blood disorders that affect blood platelets and clotting, like hemophilia. While dentists can’t diagnose such disorders, they can address immediate oral health concerns and make the proper referrals for more comprehensive medical care. When treatment methods for medical conditions contribute to bleeding gums, which can occur with chemotherapy and some blood thinners, your dentist can help you manage your bleeding gums and other side effects to help maintain the health of the oral tissues. Sometimes, people with chronically bleeding gums are deficient in vitamin C or vitamin K, which doctors can also diagnose through blood screens, and sometimes, people experiencing dramatic hormone fluctuations are more prone to bleeding gums; again, your dentist can help you manage your symptoms if these underlying concerns exist. Ill-fitting dentures and faulty dental restorations can also contribute to gingival bleeding, and your dentist can address these concerns or refer you to a dental specialist for additional treatment. Ultimately, because bleeding gums can have such a wide breadth of causes, if you notice that your gums bleed more than a few times a year, either bleeding consistently for several days or intermittently over a longer time span, make sure to see your dentist for a comprehensive examination, proper referrals, and prompt treatment to prevent additional concerns in the long run.