What Causes Bleeding Gums?
There are a variety of causes for bleeding gums, the primary reason though is gum disease. If you look in the mirror and notice that your gums are swollen or changing in color from a natural pink to a deeper red, you will want to monitor their condition. You may also see a red tint on your toothbrush or blood in the sink after brushing your teeth. There are a few measures you can introduce at home to address bleeding gums, but if they persist more than a week it is time to call your dentist and schedule an evaluation. At this point it is a good bet you have some level of gum disease. To combat gum disease, you will need the professional assistance of your dentist.
At Home Remedies to Address Bleeding Gums
Here are a few to stymie your bleeding gums:
- Using a damp gauze
- Rinsing your mouth with salt water
- Applying a cold compress
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash
- Confirming you are using a soft bristle toothbrush
- Flossing gently every day
- Avoid smoking
- Steering away from processed foods
The Causes for Bleeding Gums
There are many reasons your gums might be bleeding, with the dominate cause being that of gum disease. Here is a list of suggested causes:
- By not brushing the teeth at least twice a day you are allowing plaque to develop on your teeth.
- Using a toothbrush that is too stiff or hard will damage the gums, as will brushing too vigorously.
- A worn-out toothbrush can no longer clean your teeth effectively.
- Using dental floss roughly, instead of gently pushing it down and hugging the sides of each tooth.
- Taking certain medicines, such as aspirin, blood thinners, or ibuprofen, will accelerate gum bleeding.
- Hormonal change due to a pregnancy.
- A vitamin deficiency.
- Poor eating habits.
- Having diabetes.
- Lack of clotting cells, or platelets.
- Poorly fitting dentures.
- Finally, having gingivitis, or early-stage gum disease.
Professional Treatment for Bleeding Gums
The easiest way to confront your bleeding gums is to make an appointment with your dentist. A thorough examination with x-rays will confirm the cause. In most situations, it will be gum disease. It is a quite common ailment. Over half of all American adults over the age of thirty have gum disease.
If gum disease is identified as the cause, your dentist will proceed with a professional teeth cleaning. This is a deliberate effort to remove all the damaging plaque and tarter from your teeth with either a handheld scaler or a vibrating ultrasonic device. The plaque harbors bacteria that infect the gums when it comes in contact. By removing the source of the infection, the gums will immediately heal on their own, or an antibiotic may be prescribed.
In moving forward from this appointment, you will be strongly advised to exercise a daily oral hygiene practice, which is brushing twice a day and flossing once. You should also compliment your efforts with an evaluation every six months, which will include the teeth cleaning. By doing so you can abate gum disease throughout your future.