As a dentist, I encounter patients who act too late on dental issues daily. If you have a dental problem, you must know whether to see a dentist.adidas yeezy womens adidas yeezy foam runner mens stores nike air max sale cheap nfl jerseys custom jerseys football nike air max 97 black adidas yeezy shoes custom mlb jerseys wig shops custom basketball nfl jersey for sale new nike air max nfl jerseys cheap volleyball uniforms wigs online
So, what should you do about your bleeding gums?
If your or your child’s gums are bleeding, keep reading! In this guide, we will discuss the top reasons for bleeding gums and any additional symptoms to look for that could indicate a more significant issue.
Why Are My Gums Bleeding?
Your gums could be bleeding for several reasons – some benign, some more serious. To help you determine the primary cause of your gums bleeding, here are some of the common less-worrisome reasons for bleeding gums:
- Injury – if you have cut your gums while eating, or something sharp has caused a cut in your mouth, your gums will likely bleed.
- Brushing – if you brush your teeth too hard, you will irritate the gums surrounding your teeth, and this can cause bleeding.
- Flossing – if you do not floss regularly, the tissue between your teeth will not be accustomed to the disturbance, and they may bleed due to flossing.
- Pregnancy – when you’re pregnant, your hormones can fluctuate. Sometimes, this leads to bleeding gums.
- Blood thinners – if you’re using blood thinners, you can expect to see bleeding gums as a side effect.
- Dentures/braces – if your dentures or braces are rubbing against your gums, this could cause bleeding.
- Hemophilia – if you have hemophilia, your gums will likely bleed frequently. Haemophilia is a rare disorder where the blood is thin with very few platelets to clot minor wounds and prevent bleeding.
Now, here are some of the causes of bleeding gums that indicate a more serious issue:
- Scurvy – if you are deficient in vitamin C, this can lead to an illness called scurvy. If you have scurvy, your gums are more likely to bleed.
- Infection – bleeding gums often indicate an infection in the gums or the root of the tooth.
- Leukemia – cancer of the blood is known to cause bleeding gums.
- Vitamin K deficiency – if there is not enough vitamin K in your diet, this could cause the gums to weaken, leading to bleeding.
Unless bleeding gums are due to an injury or incision in the mouth, this can indicate that you might develop gum disease. So, you should speak to your dental practitioner post haste!
What To Do If You Find Your Gums Are Bleeding
To help you to handle bleeding gums effectively, below, you’ll find a step-by-step on what to do if your gums are bleeding.
Determine The Cause
If your gums are bleeding, there could be a reason that isn’t related to an illness or infection. So, look at the list above to gauge whether your bleeding is due to an incision or irritation of the gums rather than any other underlying condition.
It can help to analyse whether you’ve been brushing too hard or flossing too roughly. If you brush regularly and with the appropriate force and haven’t sustained any injury or irritation, you should reach out to your dentist and book an appointment.
Visit Your Dentist
You must visit your dentist if your gums are bleeding without provocation through injury or irritation.
What will your dentist do?
Your Bentleigh East dentist will examine your gums, checking for any buildup of plaque or tartare. They will also look for any signs of infection or gum disease.
If your dentist discovers you have gum disease, you have several treatment options:
- Deep cleaning of the gums – if your gum disease hasn’t already compromised the condition of your teeth, the dentist will treat the issue by cleaning your gums thoroughly.
- Antibiotics – to help fight gum disease, your dentist will likely prescribe some antibiotics that will help remedy the infection.
- Tooth extraction – if the gum disease has progressed, your dentist may need to remove one or more teeth in a tooth extraction procedure. You can have dental implants to replace these teeth once the infection has cleared.
- Gum surgery – your dentist may need to perform gum surgery to limit the effects of the infection.
Improve Your Oral Hygiene And Diet
If your dentist identifies a dietary cause of your bleeding gums, it is best to incorporate multivitamins and foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
If your bleeding gums are caused by poor oral hygiene, you should practice better oral care at home by taking the following steps:
- Brushing your teeth each morning and evening – brushing your teeth when you wake up and go to sleep with fluoride toothpaste will help minimise your gum disease risk.
- Flossing at least once a day – regular flossing ensures that plaque does not build up in the spaces between your teeth, leading to gum disease.
- Using a tongue scraper – there are bacteria on your tongue, and to minimise the number of bacteria in your mouth, you can use a tongue scraper.
- Mouthwash – using mouthwash can help you to keep your gums clean and free from bacteria, and it will also provide you with fresh breath!
By practising these steps daily, you can minimise the bacteria in the mouth and reduce your risk of developing gum disease.
Additionally, because you might miss areas of the mouth during your at-home dental routine, you should visit your local dentist every six months for a professional clean. They will use scraping tools and abrasive toothpaste to thoroughly clean every inch of your teeth.
Summary
If your gums are bleeding, it’s essential to know why. Bleeding gums can often be benign but, in some cases, can indicate a more significant underlying issue. It’s best to reach your dentist for a checkup if your gums are bleeding.
If you need a checkup, why not contact our friendly team at Verve Dental? We’re always happy to help!
Read Also:
How To Take Care Of Dental Implants And Overdentures
How Long Should You Brush Your Teeth For? – Some Tips And Tricks To Help You Hit 2 Minutes
