Bleeding gums is a very common problem that can indicate the onset of diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Although it is a fairly frequent phenomenon, it is not normal and requires attention to avoid major complications, such as tooth loss. Below, we explain why gums bleed, how to prevent it and when you should see a specialist.
Why do gums bleed? Maincauses
Bleeding gums are usually related to the accumulation of bacterial plaque, which can lead to:
- Gingivitis: Reversible inflammation caused by the accumulation of plaque.
- Periodontitis: A more serious disease affecting the bone and tooth support.
See What is gingivitis and how is it cured?
The main reason for an excessive accumulation of bacterial plaque that leads to the development of pathologies such as gingivitis or periodontitis isusually poor oral hygiene, although we can also find other factors that also favor the accumulation of tartar, with the consequent danger of periodontal pathology:
- Dental malposition
- Malocclusions
- Fixedorthodontics
- Improperly fitted or deteriorated dentures
It is very important to treat gingivitis in time, a mild pathology that has the capacity to develop into periodontitis, a much more serious and irreversible disease that will not only cause gingival bleeding or inflammation of this tissue but will also affect the bone that supports the tooth.
If your gums bleed , we recommend that you visit your dentist to check their condition and have them professionally cleaned to remove tartar and bacterial plaque using ultrasound instruments.
Bleeding gums are not only caused by gum disease, there are other causes and we must be aware of them in order to know how to act against them.
Other causes of bleeding gums include:
- Aggressive brushing or poor flossing.
- Hormonalchanges, especially in pregnancy.
- Use of ill-fitting dentures.
- Deficiency of vitamins C and K.
- Use of anticoagulants.
- systemic diseases such as leukemia or diabetes
- Problems generated by bruxism
How to stop bleeding gums? Treatments and remedies
If bleeding is occasional, you can follow these tips:
- Improve your oral hygiene: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush with gentle, circular movements.
- Floss properly: Do not force it , slide it gently between the teeth.
- Apply anti-plaque mouthwashes: Chlorhexidine-containing mouthwashes can be effective (consult your dentist before use).
- Maintain a balanced diet: Increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking aggravates periodontal diseases and hinders gum healing.
Although home remedies such as rinsing the mouth with salt and water can help mitigate bleeding gums or discomfort caused by periodontal disease, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible to start periodontal treatment and eliminate the problem at its root.
Oral health is basic for the welfare of people, if you have any of the symptoms we have mentioned above, come to our dentalclinic in Barcelona we will be happy to assist you, improve your dental health and share with you all the keys to the care of the gums.
When should you see a dentist if you have bleeding gums?
I think it is important to go to a dentist if:
- Bleeding is frequent or heavy.
- You notice swollen, sore or receding gums.
- You have persistent bad breath or tooth mobility.
- The problem persists despite improving your oral hygiene.
See Gingivitis and Periodontitis Treatment
Prevention is the most important factor to avoid bleeding gums.
To prevent gum problems there are a series of recommendations that will help us to enjoy a beautiful and pathology-free smile.
- Brushing after each meal, not too vigorously to prevent injury to the gingival tissue, will be sufficient to remove plaque and food debris.
- Dental floss will be our best ally to remove food from the interdental spaces where the toothbrush cannot reach.
- Complementing oral hygiene with products such as oral irrigators or interproximal brushes will finish sanitizing our mouth in depth.
- Cleaning the tongue is very important as it can harbor 70% of the bacteria in our mouth.
- Avoiding tobacco is essential, since smoke (and its components ) promotes gum inflammation.
- Avoid the use of acetylsalicylic acid(aspirin), unless your doctor has recommended you to take it.
- If the side effects of a medication are causing your gums to bleed, ask your provider to prescribe a medication for you.
- Water is your best ally, by drinking we eliminate a large part of the bacteria that lodge in our mouth, so it also prevents the accumulation of tartar.
- Visit your dentist every 6 months to check the condition of your mouth and have it professionally cleaned to remove tartar build-up.
If you follow these tips and try to eat a balanced diet by reducing the consumption of sugar and convenience foods and increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables, you will not only be doing your mouth a favor, but also your overall health.
See Periodontitis. 5 tips to prevent it
Why do gums bleed when quitting smoking?
Many people experience bleeding gums when quitting smoking. It is a temporary symptom that indicates that your gums are healing and adapting to the absence of the harmful effects of tobacco. When you stop smoking, blood circulation improves in your gums, which sometimes causes frequent bleeding. This should not be an indication not to quit smoking, but quite the opposite.
Why do gums bleed during pregnancy?
The main cause is due to the fact that during this phase the blood flow in the woman’s body increases. In addition, it is a time when the gums and the whole mouth are more sensitive, so any small accumulation of plaque will lead to a problem in the gums.
Between 60 and 70 percent of women suffer from gingivitis during pregnancy, which is caused by an increase in the hormone progesterone, which can trigger an increased response to plaque-producing bacteria , and can cause your gums to be more sensitive, swollen and likely to bleed when you brush or floss.
These hormonal changes can also make it easier for certain bacteria that cause gingivitis to build up. Although gingivitis in pregnancy can occur anytime between the second and eighth months, it is usually most severe in the second trimester.
Why gums bleed at night
Mouth bleeding while sleeping may be due to factors such as bruxism or teeth grinding, which creates pressure and damage to teeth and gums, or conditions such as gingivitis. When you grind your teeth at night, it puts a lot of pressure on your teeth, gums and jaw. The pressure you put on your gums causes them to become sore, swollen and bleed.
Why do gums bleed when brushing?
Many people believe that this is normal, due to the friction that the toothbrush exerts against the tissues, but this is not the case. Healthy gums do not bleed when you brush them.
If this happens on a recurring basis, we must go to the dentist for a checkup and find out why. This could be a first sign of gum problems.
There are other causes such as: a new oral care routine, brushing your teeth too much, too hard or too little, or using certain medications. Often, the cause of bleeding gums is the accumulation of bacterial pla que on the teeth, around and between them, which unless removed by brushing, can irritate the gums and cause bleeding.
Tooth brushing is the best way to return both the inflamed tissue and the bleeding gums to a normal state. As a general rule, when bleeding occurs when we brush our teeth, the first reaction is usually to stop brushing, but if we leave aside this oral hygiene routine we will only be encouraging the problem to worsen. Brushing gently and insistently after each meal in the areas where the problem is most severe will help us to improve the symptoms.
As you can see, bleeding gums, although it seems common and unimportant, can be one of the first symptoms of gingivitis that if not cured can lead to periodontitis, which has a more complicated treatment and is irreversible.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene, eating a balanced diet, avoiding tobacco and seeing a dentist regularly is key to preventing periodontal disease, especially if you suffer from a systemic disease, take medication or are pregnant.
If you notice frequent bleeding, seek professional help to avoid further complications. Contact our dentists in Barcelona at + (34) 669 154 020 and we will inform you about all our treatments without obligation.
Remember that we are a Dental Clinic in Barcelona with great experience in treatments such as:
- Dental implants Barcelona
- Orthodontics Barcelona
- Dental esthetics Barcelona
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontics
You can also read:
How to prevent and eliminate dental tartar. A complete guide
Discover the Airflow Advantages. Painless dental cleaning
Swollen gums. Causes and some treatments
Dental caries. What they are, how to treat them and how to prevent them
En julio de 2019 realizé un programa avanzado en Odontología Integral en la Universidad de Nueva York. Este programa me dió la oportunidad de ampliar mis conocimientos en odontología general en un ambiente multicultural y publicar trabajos de investigación en revistas americanas, así como hacer voluntariado en un país subdesarrollado para tratar la sonrisa de los pacientes.
Aparte de la odontología, mis aficiones son el yoga, la cocina y viajar para descubrir nuevas culturas
