Bleeding gums can indicate gum disease, anemia, or leukemia. Plaque buildup, injury, medication, infections, and hormonal changes can also cause bleeding. Prevention includes proper dental hygiene, regular dental visits, and a balanced diet. Seek medical attention for severe or chronic bleeding.
Bleeding gums often occur after vigorous tooth brushing. This is sometimes mistaken for a normal reaction, but it can be an indicator of gum disease. Chronic bleeding gums can indicate more serious underlying conditions such as anemia or leukemia.
The most common cause of bleeding gums, however, is incomplete removal of plaque at the gumline. This leads to gingivitis or inflammation of the gums. If plaque is not removed from the teeth regularly, it will harden and form tartar. Tartar increases bleeding and can cause periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease in which the gums separate from the teeth.
Another frequent cause of gum bleeding is injury or trauma. Improper flossing or brushing, tooth picking, and ill-fitting dentures can cause damage to your gums. Burns from hot food, blows to the face, or insertion of a foreign object can also contribute to bleeding.
In rare cases, nutritional deficiencies can cause bleeding gums. Vitamin C deficiency, also known as scurvy, can lead to bleeding and inflammation. Niacin deficiency, or pellagra, causes thrush, infection, and bleeding gums. These deficiencies can be treated with supplements and an improved diet.
Using medications such as calcium channel blockers can cause gum tissue to overgrow. This makes it more difficult to remove plaque and increases the risk of gingivitis. Aspirin and other blood-thinning medications prevent blood from clotting by blocking the enzymes that heal torn blood vessels. This often causes bleeding gums in patients taking aspirin, warfarin, or heparin.
Viral and fungal infections are another source of bleeding gums. Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. It results in painful, bleeding and red gums. Thrush is a fungal infection caused by the overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria form a white film in the mouth that irritates the gums and causes bleeding.
Hormonal changes experienced during pregnancy can make mild gingivitis worse, causing the gums to bleed. Menopausal women are also prone to bleeding gums. The drop in estrogen levels causes the gums to shrink and dry out. As the gums shrink, they separate from the teeth more easily, giving bacteria and tartar a rallying point.
Bleeding gums can often be prevented with proper dental hygiene, regular visits to the dentist, and a balanced diet. If the bleeding is severe or chronic, or accompanied by other unexplained symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
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