What Causes Gums to Bleed?
Concerned about bleeding gums? If so, read on to learn what causes gums to bleed.
Have you noticed bleeding gums lately? According to the Centers for Disease Control, 47.2%of Americans have periodontal disease, which stems from prolonged gum disease .
But that doesn't mean you have to live with it. If you notice your gums bleed, it's important to understand what's causing it and take action to protect your teeth.
Doing so can prevent more serious, long-term damage.
Find out everything you need to know about bleeding gums below.
What Causes Bleeding Gums?
Understanding the cause of inflamed gums isn't always simple. There are several reasons you may experience this symptom, from your everyday dental hygiene habits to gingivitis.
How Can Dental Hygiene Habits Be the Cause?
Our gums are rather sensitive. If your dental hygiene habits irritate them, it can lead to bleeding. This includes:
● Brushing too hard
● Using a toothbrush whose bristles aren't soft enough
● Beginning a flossing routine for the first time
● Flossing for the first time in along time
● Irritation caused by dentures that don't fit
These causes are easy to fix. You can brush your teeth more gently with a soft bristle toothbrush, settle into a regular flossing routine, and get a new pair of dentures with a better fit.
But what if your dental hygiene habits or utensils aren't the cause?
What to Do If You Develop Gingivitis
Gingivitis is also one of the most common causes of bleeding gums. Gingivitis is a form of gum disease that occurs when plaque builds up around the gum line.
While good dental hygiene habits can help fight this issue, sometimes you need to seek additional treatment from a dental professional .
Ignoring it should never be an option. If left untreated or unaddressed, gingivitis can progress, causing lasting or more serious damage to your dental health.
Gingivitis vs.Periodontal Disease
Both gingivitis and periodontal disease are forms of gum disease. The difference between the two is in the severity.Gingivitis is less severe than periodontal disease. It's symptoms include:
● Gums that are swollen
● Gums that are puffy
● Receding Gums
● Gums that are dark red in color
● Halitosis, also known as "bad breath"
● Gums that are tender to touch
If you experience any of these signs, you want to make an appointment with your dentist. He or she can identify whether your gingivitis is in its early stages. If it is, you can often reverse the effects.
However, prolonged gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease. This more advanced gum disease can cause gum inflammation,infection, and even permanent damage to your dental bone structure.
This, in turn, can impact the way your teeth sit in your gums and even lead to tooth loss.
Common Risk Factors for Gum Disease
There are certain risk factors to keep in mind when it comes to gum disease. This includes (but is not limited to):
● Smoking
● Chewing tobacco
● Poor oral hygiene
● Old age
● Lack of proper dental hygiene
● Vitamin C deficiency
● Illegal drug use
● Drug abuse
● Diseases that impact your immune system, including HIV/AIDS or leukemia
● Hormone flux caused by pregnancy
● Some viral infections
● Some fungal infections
● Poorly executed dental restoration methods
Many of these risk factors are preventable.The best way to avoid gum disease is to practice good oral hygiene and maintain a complete nutritional diet.
How Can You Treat Bleeding Gums?
If you have bleeding gums caused by a form of gum disease, there are 6 best practices you can adopt to reduce or even eliminate this issue.
1. Brush Your Teeth Regularly and Properly
Ideally, you'll want to brush your teeth every time you eat. However, most of us don't travel with a toothbrush and toothpaste handy. Aim to brush your teeth every morning when you wake up and right before you go to bed.
Use a circular brushing motion with a toothbrush that is soft enough to avoid aggravating your gums.
2. Floss Your Teeth EveryDay
Include flossing in your daily routine. We recommend you do this alongside your evening dental hygiene routine.
This will catch any lingering pieces of food that may have eluded your toothbrush. Flossing also removes plaque, which is what leads to gingivitis.
3. Use Gingivitis-Fighting Toothpaste
There are numerous types of toothpaste on the market today. Each one boasts a different ability, from fresher breath to whiter teeth. However, you want to make sure you use a toothpaste that goes beyond aesthetic maintenance.
Gingivitis-fighting toothpaste will help you protect your smile from the germs and plaque that lead to receding gum lines and gum disease.
4. Eliminate Tobacco Use
Tobacco is horrible for your oral health,whether you smoke it or chew it. The damage it does to your gums can lead to an onset of gum disease, bone loss, and even cancer .
The only way to avoid this risk is to eliminate tobacco use completely.
5. Adopt a Healthy Daily Lifestyle
Great nutrition, avoiding snacking, and even leading a stress-free life can all go a long way in protecting your gum health.Certain deficiencies such as vitamin C can impact your body's resilience,making it more susceptible to gum bleeding and other health-related issues.
A balanced diet will help meet the nutritional needs, but why avoid snacking? Because we often can't brush our teeth after snacks, the food particles linger.
Snacks that have unhealthy ingredients such as high amount of sugar can lead to plaque, tartar, and even tooth decay.
6. See a Dentist at Least Twice a Year
A dental cleaning goes above and beyond any dental hygiene habits you do at home. They use special tools and formulas to eliminate plaque and tartar buildup while keeping your smile clean and bright.
Scheduling a cleaning twice a year will help you stay on top of your gum health. This will also help you reduce any gum bleeding since this is often a sign of plaque or tartar buildup.
Let Us Help You Fight Gum Disease
Semi-annual cleanings can play a huge role in helping you fight gum disease. If you're experiencing bleeding gums and it's been a while since your last visit, let's talk.
You can request an appointment at one of our two locations online: Sparkle Dental in Mount Vernon, New York or Putnam Bright Smile Dentistry in Brewster, New York. Both offer exceptional, friendly service to help you rediscover a happy, healthy smile.
Dr. Rohit Z Patel
D.D.S
After graduating at the top of his class, Dr. Patel continued his postgraduate studies in endodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York. He was appointed to assistant clinical professor of dentistry at Columbia University and later moved on to teach at the Montefiore Medical Center’s Department of Dentistry. Westchester Magazine recognized Dr. Patel as a “Top Dentist for 2012.”
Dr. Yung Kim
D.D.S
Dr. Yung Kim is a double board certified Periodontist and board certified Prosthodontist, educated to treat many extremely complex disorders involving gum disease, tooth decay, and oral pathology. His focus is on full-mouth, complex, surgical, and reconstructive dentistry. He has extensive knowledge of implant dentistry and advanced surgical procedures, specializing in teeth in a day and All-on-Four implants. He is also Invisalign certified and experienced with CAD/CAM restorations and dentures.
Dr. Brendan Gallagher
D.D.S
Dr. Brendan Gallagher is dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and reliable surgical care while keeping communication clear and timely with referring offices. He values building strong partnerships with colleagues to ensure the very best care for patients. Outside of practice, Dr. Gallagher enjoys mentoring upcoming dentists through social media and podcasting. He also enjoys running, trying new craft beers and spending time with friends and family. You can find Dr. Gallagher at our Brewster, Tarrytown and Mount Vernon locations.
Dr. Santvana Vyas
D.D.S
Dr Vyas attended NYU College of Dentistry and earned DDS in 2016 at the top of her class. She was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), the national dental honor society and earned Outstanding Achievement Award in study of Prosthodontics.
Dr Vyas is an active member of American College of Prosthodontics (ACP) and American Dental Association (ADA). She is appointed as a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU College of Dentistry. She is married and is blessed with two sons.
Dr. Gianna DeMase
D.D.S
Dr. DeMase received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University where she double-majored in Biology and Spanish. She then earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry where she graduated with honors in periodontics. After dental school, Dr. DeMase completed a General Practice Residency at Jacobi Medical Center, a level one trauma hospital. Here, she participated in community outreach in the women’s health clinic and taught medical students how to do oral exams. She also worked with special needs patients in Jacobi’s Rose F. Kennedy Center. Dr. DeMase remains committed to being active in the community.
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Dr. DeMase has experience in cavity restoration, endodontics, oral surgery, oral pathology, and prosthodontics including implant restorations.
She highly values patient education and always ensures your comfort and understanding of the treatment. She strongly believes in patient centered care and therefore tailors each treatment plan to you and your needs. As a member of the American Dental Association, Dr. DeMase is always aware of the latest studies and developments in the dental field and strives to apply them to her practice. In her spare time, she can usually be found with a book in her hands.
