What Causes Bleeding Gums?
Bleeding gums are actually a pretty common problem that many adult patients experience at some point. Depending on the cause, minor occasional bleeding should resolve on its own in a few days. But if you experience bleeding that lasts for more than two weeks, you should see your dentist for an evaluation.
What causes bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums can be caused by a number of things, including vitamin deficiencies, underlying medical conditions, and other life events. The most common cause of bleeding gums is poor oral hygiene, resulting in gum disease.
Gum disease starts as gingivitis, which is easily reversed with improved and consistent oral hygiene, which includes regular cleanings with your dentist. Left untreated, gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, which can cause issues in the underlying connective tissues and the jawbone. If the patient still does not receive treatment, periodontitis becomes worse and is called advanced periodontitis, at which point damage is irreversible without extensive restorative treatments.
Medical conditions such as diabetes, hemophilia, leukemia, and other blood disorders can increase the risk of bleeding gums. If you visit your dentist and they find that your gums are otherwise healthy, they may advise you to see your general doctor to see if there is an underlying condition causing bleeding gums.
Medications can also contribute to bleeding gums. Patients who take aspirin, heparin, or warfarin, any blood thinner, can experience bleeding gums more than others.
Old dental work or ill-fitting dentures can have a big impact on your gum health. Your dentist can replace dental work if needed, as well as adjust your denture for a better fit.
Vitamin deficiencies can also be a contributing factor in bleeding gums. Vitamins CNK each of a specific job to keep our bodies functioning properly. Vitamin C helps the body repair damage, while vitamin K helps our blood clot. A deficiency in either or both of these can cause gums to bleed easily and have a hard time repairing themselves.
Other factors that can cause bleeding gums include pregnancy. Gestational gingivitis is incredibly common and typically resolves itself after birth. You may need to have more frequent cleanings with your dentist while you are pregnant, but after birth, you will likely be able to resume your normal hygiene schedule.
Another common cause of bleeding gums is bruxism, the unconscious clenching or grinding that a lot of people do, especially in their sleep. In this case, your dentist can provide a custom night guard for you to sleep in to help alleviate pressure on your teeth and gums.
Occasional bleeding in the gum tissue is perfectly normal, but should not last more than a few days. If you experience bleeding gums that persist longer than a couple of weeks, it could be a symptom of something more severe. The first step is to visit your dentist for an evaluation to diagnose any oral issues or gum disease. If they do not find anything, you should then visit your regular doctor.
Related Article: How to Get My Gums to Stop Bleeding