What Causes Bleeding Gums?
Bleeding gums is a rather common issue that many adult patients face. The number one cause of bleeding gums is gum disease, resulting from poor oral hygiene, which can lead to a whole host of problems. Bleeding gums are not a symptom of only gum disease, they can also be a clue to an underlying medical issue or other problem such as:
- Gum disease
- Diabetes or certain cancers
- Overly aggressive brushing
- Using a toothbrush with a hard or a medium bristles
- Ill fitting dentures or old dental restorations that no longer work properly
- Vitamin deficiencies
Gum Disease
Gum disease develops in stages, the first of which is gingivitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue and is often caused by excessive plaque left along the gum line. Every day when you brush your teeth, you are removing the buildup of plaque and bacteria that accumulates throughout the day and during sleep. This regular removal prevents plaque from calcifying into tartar. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and flossing and has to be scraped off by a dental hygienist. Flossing daily gets all those little areas between your teeth and slightly below the gum line that your toothbrush cannot reach.
Gingivitis causes slight damage to the gum tissue that may actually be reversed with improved oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings. Symptoms of gingivitis include puffy, tender gums, bleeding gum tissue, and a general soreness in the mouth and around the gum line.
Left untreated, gingivitis can rapidly progress into periodontitis which is a full blown infection of the gum tissue, jawbone, and underlying connective tissues. Periodontitis can cause a great amount of damage that is not reversible unless you undergo extensive restorative treatments by dental specialists. Damage can include gum recession, loss of bone mass, loose teeth, and even tooth loss.
Bleeding Gums and Vitamin Deficiencies
Both vitamins C and K have their own role in keeping our bodies healthy and functioning. Deficiencies in either or both of these vitamins can cause gums to bleed easily and then have difficulty repairing themselves. Vitamin C helps the body repair damage and vitamin K helps blood clot. If you are experiencing persistent gum bleeding but do not have any issues with your oral hygiene, you may need to speak with your primary care physician. Your doctor may advise you to improve your diet to include more foods rich in vitamins C and K.
What else can cause bleeding gums?
Hormonal changes can pose a lot of problems in women. Pregnancy can cause gestational gingivitis and menopause can lead to bleeding gums in female patients. Fortunately, these issues typically resolve themselves once hormones are regulated.
Certain blood disorders such as hemophilia and leukemia can increase risk of bleeding gums. Additionally, gums might bleed more often if you take blood-thinner medications. Drugs in this class include warfarin, aspirin, and heparin.
Patients with old dental work or with dentures that are too tight may also experience bleeding gums. Your dentist can replace dental work where necessary and can also adjust or replace your dentures to get you to a more comfortable normal.
If you experience bleeding gums that persist longer than a couple of weeks, visit your dentist for an evaluation and to determine the cause and receive treatment.