Bleeding Gums

What are bleeding gums?

Bleeding gums is when the gums bleed, this can be due to a plethora of factors which we will go on to break down.

Gum disease is when the gums become inflamed leaving them swollen, red or a deep pink and tender to the touch. Bleeding can also occur due to gum disease. Gum disease when left untreated can lead to some more severe issues such as the need to remove teeth or receding gums.

There are three types of gum disease there is periodontitis, gingivitis, and acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis.

Periodontitis is when gingivitis is left untreated, and as such the plaque and tartar build-up continue to grow and eventually the gums recede away from the teeth leaving space for more tartar and plaque to build up.

Gingivitis is a condition caused by plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth. Gingivitis typically presents with sore gums that bleed when they are brushed.

Acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) is a more severe form of gum disease that can cause ulcers, pain, bleeding and swelling.

When any form of gum disease is left untreated it can cause problems, build-up below the gum line may not be possible to clean using a toothbrush and ultimately can lead to a bacterial infection causing an abscess or tooth loss.

What causes bleeding gums/gum disease?

Bleeding gums can be caused by a host of conditions. You must see a dentist if your bleeding gums are persistent.

• Brushing too rough causes damage to the gums.
• Flossing too hard.
• Gum diseases.
• Pregnancy
• Blood disorders such as haemophilia or Willebrand disease.
• Medications like blood thinners. If your gums are bleeding for more than an hour contact your dentist immediately.
• Vitamin deficiencies.

Gum diseases are caused by improper maintenance of oral health, once left unmanaged it can progress into more serious forms of gum disease. Always contact your dentist if you are concerned.

• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• Medications that cause dry mouth.
• Excessive sugar consumption.
• Braces, dentures, and implants can obstruct proper cleaning.
• A weakened immune system.

How to prevent and treat bleeding gums/gum disease?

Preventing bleeding gums and gum disease is super simple. Start by brushing your teeth twice a day gently, when spitting do not rinse instead just spit and let the toothpaste residue stay. Aim to floss once a day to help dislodge any food from between the teeth.

Attending your dentist appointment every six to twelve months is important, it provides your dentist with the opportunity to do a quick clean. For those with severe build-up of plaque and tartar, we suggest booking in for a cleaning with a hygienist.

For extreme cases of gum disease, treatment such as tooth removal may be required. This is applied to impacted teeth and those which are rotting.

How to spot bleeding gums

• Receding gum line.
• Swelling of the gums which can cause them to appear shiny.
• Red or deep pink colouration of the gums.
• Loose teeth.
• An abscess.
• Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth.
• Blood coming from the gums.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of bleeding gums or gum disease, do not hesitate to make an appointment with us and we’ll be happy to help you on your journey to perfect oral health.