Have you ever noticed bleeding from your gums while brushing or a pinkish colour on the spit during brushing, this can be a sign of early-stage gum disease. Bleeding gums is considered as one of the initial signs of gingival disease (gum disease).
Hence, addressing this condition in the initial stage can be helpful for quick treatment and recover.
In this blog post we delve in to the reason behind your gum bleeding, what are the various treatment options and how can you prevent it.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR GUMS
Gums are the pink tissue that envelops your teeth. Medically they are known as gingiva, plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health as well as your general health.
When your gums bleed, it’s usually due to inflammation caused by a buildup of plaque on your teeth which is usually the result of poor oral hygiene.
Plaque is the white creamy substance that get deposited on the tooth surface which can be removed by scrapping. It contains bacteria that can irritate your gums which leads to inflammation and bleeding of gums.
If left untreated, gum disease can lead to more serious issues such as gum recession and tooth loss.
CAUSES OF GUM BLEEDING
The causes of gum bleeding are mainly of 2 types
| DENTAL CAUSES | OTHER CAUSES |
| Poor oral hygiene Toothbrush trauma Inappropriate flossing technique Ill fitted denture Orthodontic treatment | Hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause etc) Bleeding disorders(thrombocytopenia) Leukaemia Vitamin K deficiency Vitamin C deficiency Anaemia |
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Proper diagnosis is the key to correct treatment, hence understanding the exact cause of bleeding gums is important.
- POOR ORAL HYGIENE
- Plaque accumulation due to poor oral hygiene then visit a dentist and get your teeth professionally cleaned (scaling and root planning) and after this procedure your dentist will educate you on how to maintain a good oral hygiene. Make sure to follow the instructions thoroughly
- TOOTHBRUSH TRAUMA
- Usually, it will heal by itself in a few days. Care should be given not to irritate the area further during your daily brushing routine.
- INAPPROPRIATE FLOSSING TECHNIQUE
- Correct method of flossing has to be done to prevent injure to the gums
- ILL FITTED DENTURE
- In case of ill fitted denture adjust or replacement of the same has to be done.
- ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
- During orthodontic treatment there are chances of plaque accumulation on the appliance, so maintaining a good oral hygiene is of at most importance.
In case of other causes consulting with the respective doctor and getting treatment for the underlying cause has to be done along with maintain a good oral hygiene.
PREVENTION
Maintaining a good oral hygiene is the key to prevent gum bleeding.
Following the correct tooth brushing and flossing technique helps to maintain good oral hygiene. Use of soft bristle tooth brush is advised. Visit your dentist at least twice a year and get professional teeth cleaning (scaling and root planning) done. Maintain a health and nutritious diet to avoid any sore of deficiency disorders.