What Causes Bleeding Gums?

There is a range of causes for bleeding gums, but the single primary cause is gum disease. If you see that your gums appear swollen or might be changing in color from a healthy pink to a darker red, you should address the condition of your gums. You could see a red tint on your toothbrush or some suggestion of blood in the sink when you finished brushing or flossing. There are several treatments you might try at home to address your bleeding gums, but if the bleeding persists for more than a week, it is best to schedule an appointment for an examination. It is now quite likely that you have some stage of gum disease. To both stop the gum disease and reverse it, it is in your best interest to rely on the professional assistance of your dentist.

 

The Causes for Bleeding Gums

 

There can be an assortment of reasons for your bleeding gums, with the primary cause being gum disease. Here are a few other common causes:

 

1. The continued buildup of damaging plaque on your teeth is because you are not practicing proper daily oral health care.
2. Irritating your gums by using dental floss too aggressively.
3. By using a stiff toothbrush or brushing too aggressively, you irritate the gums.
4. An older and worn-out toothbrush will not remove the plaque effectively.
5. Certain medicines, like aspirin, blood thinners, or ibuprofen, accelerate gum bleeding.
6. Hormonal change from pregnancy.
7. A deficiency in vitamin C or K.
8. Having poor eating habits.
9. Trying to manage and control diabetes.
10. The lack of platelets hinders clotting.
11. Having poorly fitting dentures.
12. Suffering from gingivitis, the first level of gum disease.

Treatments at Home to Address Bleeding Gums

 

Here are a few suggestions to stop your bleeding gums at home:

 

1. Purchase a soft-bristle toothbrush; a stiff brush irritates the tissue.
2. Floss gently; aggressive flossing causes irritation.
3. Rinse your mouth with salt water to remove the constant excessive bacteria.
4. Use antibacterial mouthwash to also eliminate damaging bacteria.
5. Consider using a damp gauze pad.
6. Apply a cold compress to both reduce the swelling and slow down the blood flow.
7. Avoid smoking since it has a direct correlation with gum disease.
8. Stay away from processed and sugary foods, which also encourage plaque buildup.

Professional Treatment for Bleeding Gums

 

The best and easiest way to treat your bleeding gums is to simply schedule an appointment with your dentist. A routine and thorough examination, including X-rays, will identify the source of your bleeding gums. Quite often, it will be from gum disease. It is a frequent and primary cause. More than half of all American adults over the age of thirty are suffering from some form of gum disease.

 

If gum disease is indeed the source, your dental team will begin with a professional teeth cleaning. This is a common and popular treatment to remove the plaque buildup from your teeth by using either a handheld dental scaler or a vibrating ultrasonic device. The plaque carries bacteria that immediately infect the gums upon contact. By simply removing this sole source of the infection, your gums will promptly begin to heal on their own, or your dentist may include an antibiotic to enhance the healing process.