Have you ever had bleeding gums while brushing or flossing your teeth? While a bit of blood from time to time isn’t dangerous, chronic bleeding might be a concern, especially when you can’t pinpoint the cause like an injury or recent procedure.
Keep reading to learn more about common causes of bleeding gums, how to treat and prevent them, and when to see your dentist.
8 causes of bleeding gums
Here are eight possible bleeding gum causes – and what you can do to stop them.
1. Gingivitis
Gingivitis happens when plaque accumulates and causes inflammation around the gum tissue. Symptoms include red, swollen gums that bleed when brushing or flossing. To treat gingivitis, your dentist may start with a deep dental cleaning. They might also restore crowns, bridges, or other dental appliances that rub against your gums.
Untreated gingivitis can lead to gum disease and tooth loss. To avoid it, it’s wise to maintain a good oral hygiene routine to prevent plaque and tartar formation.
2. Rough brushing
Brushing your teeth vigorously damages your dental enamel and causes gum bruising and bleeding. It can also put you at risk of gum recession. Brush in gentle, circular motions instead of sawing roughly back and forth to prevent harming your teeth and gums.
Trading in your toothbrush for one with soft bristles will also help lessen the impact of brushing and prevent gum bleeding.
3. Hormonal changes
A study in the European Journal of Dentistry showed most pregnant women were unaware of a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. Shifts in hormones and how your pregnant body responds to bacteria make your dental situation more precarious.
While you should always maintain good oral hygiene habits whether or not you’re expecting, now’s the time to be extra mindful of brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice daily when you have a bun in the oven. Don’t worry, Mum! Seeing a little blood in your spit is normal when pregnant. But if you notice more bleeding than usual, let your dentist know to avoid further complications.
4. Vitamin deficiency
As if you need more reason to load up on vitamins, research in Frontiers Nutrition shows your body needs an adequate amount of ascorbic acid to achieve optimal oral health. Read – a lack of vitamin C means a high potential for bleeding gums.
The recommended daily intake for ascorbic acid is 90mg for men and 75mg for women. You don’t need to take supplements. Eat vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, broccoli, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables, to boost immunity and keep your gums healthy.
A lack of vitamin K, which is responsible for blood clotting, may also result in bleeding gums. In addition to these two, eat a balanced diet chock with calcium, vitamin A, and magnesium. Avoid sugary or processed foods that may block your body from absorbing all the good stuff.
5. Underlying health conditions
In rare cases, bleeding gums might signal more serious health issues. Patients with liver disease, blood clotting disorders, anaemia, leukaemia, and temporal arteritis (an inflammatory autoimmune disease) suffer from the side effect of gum bleeding. If you believe you have any of these conditions, consult your doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis and solution.
6. Blood thinning medications
Blood thinning medications reduce the blood’s ability to clot, making bleeding gums more likely. If you take any of these substances, inform your dentist before undergoing any procedure that might cause bleeding, such as a deep cleaning, tooth extraction, or dental implant placement. A softer toothbrush can also help address bleeding gums.
7. Smoking
Everyone knows smoking comes with health risks, but did you know it can cause gum problems? Cigarettes and other tobacco products can damage your dental health so much that bleeding gums may seem like the least of your problems. People who smoke are more prone to issues, such as gum sensitivity, pain, and gum disease.
8. Braces
Wearing braces or retainers can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque build–up if you don’t practise proper oral hygiene. As you know, plaque and tartar are common culprits behind bleeding gums. It’s easy for food to get lodged between the metal and wires, and you might miss a couple of teeth when you brush.
The same issue happens when you have crooked teeth that give bacteria easy pockets to hide in. Harboured bacteria from your lunch can cause tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis.
Fortunately, you can avoid these issues with clear aligners. ClearCorrect aligners allow you to eat what you want, brush and floss as usual, and get straighter teeth without anyone knowing about your treatment. They use a high trimline and a proprietary ClearQuartz material to apply pressure strategically and gently to get your teeth where they should be.
Ask your dentist about ClearCorrect on your next visit. In the meantime, you can take an online smile assessment to see if you’d be a good candidate for invisible aligners.
How to treat bleeding gums at home
Because bleeding gums have various causes, treatment will also vary.
For example, what if you have gum disease? A dental health professional will treat the underlying condition, which should eventually stop the bleeding. You should also brush your teeth and floss more regularly, especially after meals.
If you notice your gums bleeding after you brush your teeth, you may need to change your toothbrush. If using a toothbrush with hard bristles causes bleeding, choose one with soft or medium bristles.
For mouth ulcers that start to bleed, you can rinse your mouth with warm salt water for some relief and antibiotic effects. Pain relief ointments should also be available over the counter at your local pharmacy. The ulcers should go away on their own.
Do you have injured gums or are you recovering from a dental procedure? Here are some steps to follow:
- Dampen a clean cloth or gauze with water and press it to the area, applying pressure for about 30 minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, call your dentist.
- Do not put anything else into your mouth while your gums are still bleeding.
- Avoid rinsing your mouth.
- When your gums have stopped bleeding, stick to cold food like yoghurt to help numb the pain. Soft foods are also a safe option.
How to prevent bleeding gums
Cleaning your teeth regularly and maintaining healthy oral and lifestyle habits can help prevent gum bleeding.
Here are a few things you can do to avoid bleeding gums:
- Brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth after every meal.
- Don’t brush your teeth too forcefully.
- Floss daily.
- Use a soft toothbrush when cleaning your teeth.
- Quit smoking.
- Eat healthy.
- Get regular dental check-ups.
- Straighten your teeth with devices like invisible aligners.
Take good care of your gums to reduce the risk of bleeding. You’ll also find improvements to your oral and overall health.
When to see your dentist
If you have bleeding gums, it’s a clear sign it’s time to book a dental check-up. Your dentist will examine your mouth to uncover the cause of the bleeding and provide you with a treatment plan so that you can work your way to a healthy gum line.
Bleeding gums may be a common condition, but it’s important not to shrug it off. Whether it’s adjusting your brushing style or finding an alternative orthodontic treatment, you and your dentist can always develop a solution to protect your gums.
References:
Ivanovski, Professor Saso (n.d.). Gum disease. Australian Dental Association. teeth.org.au.
Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Government (n.d.). Bleeding gums and dental bleeding. healthdirect.gov.au.
Murererehe, J., Uwitonze, A. M., Nikuze, P., Patel, J., & Razzaque, M. S. (2022). Beneficial Effects of Vitamin C in Maintaining Optimal Oral Health. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8.
Togoo, R. A., Al-Almai, B., Al-Hamdi, F., Huaylah, S. H., Althobati, M. K., & Alqarni, S. (2019). Knowledge of Pregnant Women about Pregnancy Gingivitis and Children Oral Health. European Journal of Dentistry, 13(02), 261–270.
University of Bristol. (2017, July 28). Dental braces and periodontal disease | Research | University of Bristol.
