Bleeding Gums
Whether you see blood in the sink when you brush occasionally or every day, you should never ignore bleeding gums. Bleeding gums may have many causes, ranging from the wrong brushing technique to a more serious condition, such as gum disease. But bleeding from your gums can also indicate other issues like teeth grinding, diabetes, hormone fluctuations, and vitamin deficiencies.
Overview
What do bleeding gums mean?
Gum bleeding is a common symptom of gingivitis and other forms of gum disease. But bleeding from your gums can also point to other health issues, including hormone fluctuations, vitamin deficiencies, blood-clotting disorders, and even stress. There are blood tests available to check systemic causes.
Possible Causes
Why are my gums bleeding?
There are several reasons for gum bleeding. In most cases, dental health-related problems cause it. But it can also be a symptom of other health conditions.
Dental causes include:
- Poor oral hygiene.
- Smoking.
- Gingivitis (early-stage gum disease).
- Periodontitis (moderate to advanced gum disease).
- Trench mouth (severe gum disease).
Other causes include:
- Diabetes.
- Hormone changes during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause.
- Vitamin K deficiency.
- Vitamin C deficiency or scurvy (a severe form of vitamin C deficiency).
- Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants).
- Pernicious anemia.
- Thrombocytopenia.
- Hemophilia.
- Von Willebrand disease.
- Oral herpes.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Stress.
- Leukemia.
Care and Treatment
How do healthcare providers treat bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums treatment depends on the underlying cause. If bleeding gums are a result of gum disease, a dentist or periodontist (gum specialist) will recommend the appropriate treatment.
Common gum disease treatments include:
- Improved oral hygiene at home.
- Antibiotics.
- Tooth scaling and root planing (deep dental cleaning).
- Osseous surgery (to reduce the size of the pockets around your teeth).
- Laser periodontal surgery.
If you have bleeding gums but you don’t have gum disease, your healthcare provider will need to find out why your gums are bleeding. They may recommend testing to determine if you have diabetes, blood clotting disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or other underlying health conditions. Once you receive a diagnosis, your provider will recommend appropriate treatment.
How to stop bleeding gums at home
If you have bleeding gums that don’t improve within two weeks, you should schedule an appointment with a dentist in Kochi. They can determine whether gum disease is the culprit.
In the meantime, here are some things you can try to stop bleeding gums at home:
- Brush two to three times a day.
- Floss once daily.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash.
- Avoid smoking.
What happens if you ignore bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums can get worse over time if you ignore them, especially if gum disease is the culprit. Left untreated, gum disease erodes the tissue, ligaments, and bone that support your teeth. This can lead to a continuing cycle of infection, bad breath, and even tooth loss.
If another health issue causes bleeding gums, your symptoms may worsen as the underlying condition worsens. It’s best to see a healthcare provider so they can give you a proper diagnosis and begin any necessary treatment.
Can I prevent my gums from bleeding in the first place?
Yes, in many cases you can. To reduce your risk for bleeding due to gum disease, visit your dentist regularly and practice good oral hygiene at home.
You can’t prevent bleeding gums due to some other causes, like hormone changes, blood clotting disorders, or leukemia.
When To Call the Doctor
When should I see a healthcare provider?
Bleeding gums may go away on their own. But if the bleeding hasn’t stopped in two weeks, you should talk to a dentist or primary care physician. They’ll either recommend bleeding gums treatment (like a deep dental cleaning) or treatment for another underlying condition.
Additional Common Questions
What deficiency causes bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums can indicate a vitamin C or vitamin K deficiency.
When should I worry about bleeding gums?
Sometimes your gums can bleed if you accidentally bite into something hard, like a chip. This usually isn’t a cause for concern. But if your gums randomly bleed without an apparent cause, it could mean you have gum disease or another underlying health condition. If your gums bleed for longer than two weeks, or if you have additional symptoms like bad breath or swollen gums, you should talk to a healthcare provider.
How long can you go with bleeding gums?
While having bleeding gums usually isn’t an emergency, you should talk to a healthcare provider if your symptoms linger for more than two weeks. Waiting could cause any underlying conditions to worsen.
HOW DO I STOP BLEEDING GUMS?
Regardless of what you think might be the cause of your bleeding gums, the best thing to do is speak to your dentist as soon as possible. They can investigate your symptoms and then advise on the best way to stop your bleeding gums.
There are also a number of simple steps you may wish to consider when it comes to treating bleeding gums – changes to your oral health routine that could help stop the problem from becoming more serious. To work effectively, these steps should be followed every day, rather than just on occasions that you notice blood when you spit:
- Brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes with a toothpaste-like Corsodyl Complete Protection Toothpaste. When used twice a day, Corsodyl Complete Protection Toothpaste is 4x more effective* than regular toothpaste at removing the main cause of bleeding gums.
- Use a manual or electric toothbrush with a small head and soft round bristles, paying particular attention to ensure you clean all the surfaces of your teeth and along the gum line.
- Floss or use interdental brushes to remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas, like in between your teeth.
- Use a short-term mouthwash such as Corsodyl Treatment Mouthwash, which contains chlorhexidine digluconate, which is clinically proven to be effective against bleeding gums, gum irritation, and gum inflammation.
- Visit your dentist regularly as they may spot problems with your gums before you have any symptoms. If you do experience your gums bleeding, report it promptly so your dentist can help you treat it before it becomes more serious.