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Bleeding Gums: Causes, Treatments, and How to Maintain Healthy Gums
Bleeding gums are a common sign of oral health issues, often indicating gum disease or other health problems. Understanding their causes and treatments can help improve your oral hygiene.
What Are Bleeding Gums?
Bleeding gums describe bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth. Healthy gums are firm and pink and do not bleed. Bleeding gums often indicate bleeding due to inflammation, irritation, or infection. Typically, the most common cause of bleeding gums is gum disease, but there are many other possible causes.
Causes of Bleeding Gums
There are several reasons why gums might bleed:
- Gingivitis: The most prevalent cause of bleeding gums. It is an initial stage of gum disease, mostly caused by plaque build-up. Swollen, red gums bleed upon brushing or flossing.
- Periodontitis: If the gingivitis is not treated, it becomes periodontitis, a serious gum disease. This causes infections deep in the gums and creates recession, and excessive bleeding will occur.
- Brushing Too Aggressively: Brushing too aggressively or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can cause trauma to the gums, which causes bleeding.
- Vitamin Deficiencies: A deficiency in vitamin C weakens your gums, and thus they bleed. In extreme cases, it can lead to scurvy.
- Medications: Some medications, especially blood thinners, can make your gums bleed easily.
- Health Conditions: Systemic health conditions like diabetes, blood disorders, or leukemia can cause bleeding gums.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make gums more sensitive and prone to bleeding.
- Tobacco Use: Smoking or chewing tobacco can irritate your gums and increase your risk of gum disease and bleeding.
Types of Bleeding Gums
There are different degrees and causes of bleeding gums:
- Mild Bleeding: Typically caused by gingivitis or brushing too hard, this is the most common type and usually resolves with better oral care.
- Mild Bleeding: This is typically associated with periodontitis and is a more extensive infection that penetrates the structures under the gums and the roots of the teeth.
- Severe Bleeding: It may be associated with an advanced gum disease but can also be a symptom of other conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies, blood disorders, or systemic health.
Before and After Gum Bleeding
Dental Treatments for Bleeding Gums
The dentist will often apply the following dental treatments if you are experiencing bleeding gums:
- Scaling and Root Planing: A deep cleaning procedure to remove plaque and tartar, treating gum disease and promoting healthy gums.
- Antibiotics: Prescribed to fight bacterial infections and reduce inflammation, helping gums heal.
- Gum Surgery: For severe gum disease, procedures like flap surgery remove damaged tissue and promote healing.
- Laser Therapy: A minimally invasive treatment that removes diseased tissue and promotes faster healing with less discomfort.
- Nutritional Support: Dietary changes or supplements can strengthen gum tissue in cases of bleeding caused by a vitamin deficiency.
- Medication adjustment: If it is caused by medications such as blood thinners, your dentist will work together with your physician to adjust the medication.
- Mouthguards: These are custom appliances designed to shield gums from irritation. This would be recommended especially to those people with teeth grinding or misaligned teeth.
Follow-up appointments: Ongoing visits help prevent further gum problems and ensure proper oral health.
For proper treatment, go to Dr. Gowd’s Dental Clinic in Hyderabad.
Why Choose Dr. Gowd's Dental Clinic?
Do you experience bleeding gums? Don’t take it lightly. Book an appointment at Dr. Gowd’s Dental Clinic and get proper treatment for your bleeding gums and get healthy gums.
Medically Reviewed
Last Reviewed on 28/01/2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Most common question that raised in patients
How do I stop my gums from bleeding?
Stop the bleeding gums by brushing softly with a soft-bristled toothbrush, flossing regularly, and visiting a dentist for professional cleaning.
Is bleeding gums a symptom of severe health issues?
Yes, bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease or even diabetes or blood diseases.
Do I visit a dentist when my gums bleed?
You should visit a dentist to determine the cause and then get appropriate treatment if the bleeding doesn’t stop.
Can Pregnancy Cause Bleeding Gums?
Yes, during pregnancy, the hormonal changes make your gums become sensitive and could bleed, often considered pregnancy gingivitis.
Can I treat bleeding gums at home?
Home care such as brushing gently, flossing, using an antiseptic mouthwash, and maintaining a balanced diet can help reduce bleeding gums.
Is it normal for gums to bleed when I brush?
Occasional bleeding when brushing may occur due to irritation, but frequent bleeding should be checked by a dentist to rule out gum disease.
Dr. Gowds Dental Clinic Gachibowli Hyderabad
Survey no. 59, Plot No: 25, Fantasy Square, T9/T8, 3rd Floor, 1 & 2 I, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana 500032
Phone Number: 08065295030
