Do your gums bleed every time you brush your teeth? You may be experiencing bleeding gums because of something simple, like brushing forcefully or using the wrong technique while flossing. Or it could be because of a health condition that you should check out.
Common Causes
You may have bleeding gums when you:
- Have gum infection like gingivitis
- Brush forcefully or use a hard toothbrush
- Using wrong technique when flossing
- Take blood-thinning medications
- Have faulty dental restorations
Some dental conditions that can cause bleeding gums
Dental problems are the main reason why your gums bleed. These are:
Gingivitis
Your gums may bleed because of an underlying gum infection. This can give a salty taste to your mouth, especially when you wake up. In most cases, gingivitis is caused when plaque (bacteria that stick to your teeth) buildup and stays on your gum lines. While brushing your teeth regularly helps you remove and prevent plaque, you can still have bacteria on your gum line if you don?t brush or floss properly. If plaque is left on your teeth or gum line for too long, it can harden into tartar. This will increase bleeding of your gums.
Symptoms of gingivitis are:
- Bleeding gums
- Swollen gums
- Soreness around the gums
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is formed when gingivitis becomes severe or advanced. This disease is an infection of your gums, jawbone, and supporting tissues between your teeth and gums. This condition causes bleeding gums and can even lead to loose or fall-out teeth.
Vitamin deficiencies
You can also have bleeding gums when you have vitamin K and vitamin C deficiencies. If you have bleeding gums that aren?t caused by poor dental hygiene, check your levels of these vitamins. Moreover, you should follow a rich diet in both nutrients to make sure you?re getting enough vitamins to stay healthy.
For vitamin C, foods like tomato, potato, strawberry, broccoli, and citrus fruits should be included in your diet. Likewise, Foods rich in vitamin K include lettuce, soybeans, canola oil, olive oil, spinach, watercress, Swiss chard, and kale.
Treatment of bleeding gums
Maintaining good oral hygiene is the first step when it comes to managing bleeding gums. You should visit your dentist every 6 months for a professional cleaning and dental exam. Your dentist will assess your oral condition and educate you about brushing and flossing techniques. This will reduce the risk of developing gum infection and help remove plaque from your gum line.
Some DIY treatments for bleeding gums include:
- Follow good oral hygiene practices, like brushing and flossing with the correct technique
- Use antiseptic mouthwash to minimize plaque buildup
- Rinse with lukewarm saltwater to soothe swollen gums
- Use a soft toothbrush and brush your teeth gently
The takeaway
While bleeding gums are primarily due to oral health issues, other health issues like diabetes can be the cause. So it is advisable to schedule an appointment with your dentist. This will determine whether or not bleeding gums are caused by dental issues. You can also undertake physical examination and blood work to determine the cause of our bleeding gums. And so, its treatment will depend on what causes your gums to bleed.
As the editor of the blog, She curate insightful content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she strive to bring diverse perspectives and engaging narratives to readers, ensuring every piece informs, inspires, and enriches.
