Gum bleeding is very common health issue. Almost every person in their life experienced this problem. Sometimes it is due to poor oral hygiene and sometimes it indicates a serious health problem. In this blog we have covered all the possible causes and how to prevent it.
Table of Contents
Causes of gum bleeding:
Dental Plaque:
The main cause of bleeding gums is the buildup of plaque at the gum line. Plaque is a white, soft material just above the gum line. This plaque causes redness and swelling in the gums which is called as gingivitis.
If this Plaque is not removed in time will harden into tartar. This harden tartar will lead to increased bleeding and will cause a more advanced form of gum disease & bone loss which is called as periodontitis.
Bleeding gum is the warning sign for your Gum health.
3. Any bleeding disorders for Gum bleeding
Few bleeding disorders can also cause bleeding from your gum, namely:
- Von Willibrand Disease
- Haemophilia
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation
- Glanzmann thrombasthenia
4. Brushing habit
Your brushing habit is also one of the most common cause of bleeding from your gingiva. If you brush too hard it can cause damage to your tooth surface and can cause bleeding from your gums.
So how do you identify if you are brushing too hard? A common sign that you’re brushing too hard is that your toothbrush bristles are bent or frayed. Thankfully, if this is the reason for your bleeding gums then it’s easy fixable. Here are few things that you can do to avoid gum bleeding while brushing:
- Use soft bristle toothbrush & brush gently.
- Change your toothbrush in every 3 months.
5. Pregnancy and Gum bleeding
Very often pregnant women complaints of bleeding gums. This is because of the the hormonal changes during pregnancy where there is an alteration of progesterone and estrogen hormone balance. This hormonal alteration causes red and Swollen gums that leads to increase tendency of bleeding.
This is quite common in pregnancy & will subside once the pregnancy is over. This condition is called as “pregnancy gingivitis.”
You can avoid gum bleeding in pregnancy by taking good care of your oral hygiene. Best is to visit your dentist for oral prophylaxis done if you are family planning.
Also, the tendency of gum bleeding increases during the mensuration & while taking birth control pills
6. Ill-fitting dentures or other dental appliances
If your dentures do not fit in your mouth properly, they can rub against the gum tissue in unnatural ways. This extra friction and pressure against your gums can lead to swelling and irritation which will eventually can cause gum bleeding.
7. Improper flossing can cause Gum bleeding
Gums bleed while flossing, and it is totally normal to notice some light bleeding when you start a new flossing routine. However, the bleeding should stop within a few minutes, and later your gums should stop bleeding within a 3-10 days of regular flossing routine.
Flossing too much or using poor flossing technique can also damage your gums which then gets irritated and swollen.
8. Infection
Infection in a tooth or the gum can also lead to bleeding gums.
9. Leukemia
It is a type of cancer that affects blood cells, which can cause unusual bleeding, such as nosebleeds or bleeding gums.
10. vitamin C deficiency
Vitamin C deficiency is also called as Scurvy. Low level of vitamin C is associated with an increased risk for gum bleeding with gentle probing.
11. Vitamin K deficiency
Vitamin K helps your blood clot properly. If you notice a lot of bleeding from your gums, it may be because you don’t get enough vitamin K which is one of the clotting factor here.
11. Certain medications
There are few medications that can increase the risk of bleeding; viz:
- Aspirin, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Birth control pills,
- Blood thinners, or
- Some types of blood pressure medications.
So make sure to discuss any medication side effects with your doctor or pharmacist. They can offer ways on how to prevent these medication induced side-effects.
Takeaway
Bleeding gums can be caused due to many things. Brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush at least twice a day. It is best if you can brush after every meal.
Visit the dentist at least once every 6 months for oral prophylaxis & follow your dentist’s home care instructions.
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