What Causes Bleeding Gums?
There are a variety of causes for bleeding gums, but the primary cause is gum disease. If you notice that your gums seem swollen or maybe changing in color from a healthy pink to a darker red, you need to address the condition of your gums. You might see a red tint on your toothbrush or some hints of blood in the sink after brushing or flossing. There are some treatments you can try at home to address your bleeding gums, but if the bleeding continues for more than a week it is time to schedule an appointment for an examination. At this point it is quite likely you have some level of gum disease. To stop the gum disease and reverse it, it is best to rely on the professional assistance of your dentist.
The Causes for Bleeding Gums
There can be an assortment of reasons your gums are bleeding, with the primary cause being gum disease. Here is a list of some other probable causes:
* The daily buildup of damaging plaque on your teeth because you are not exercising proper daily oral health care.
* Irritating your gums by using dental floss too aggressively.
* By using a stiff toothbrush or brushing too aggressively you irritate the gums.
* An older and worn-out toothbrush will not remove the plaque effectively.
* Taking certain medicines, like aspirin, blood thinners, or ibuprofen, will accelerate gum bleeding.
* A pregnancy will stimulate a hormonal change.
* If you suffer from a deficiency in vitamin C or K.
* By having poor eating habits.
* Trying to control diabetes.
* The lack of platelets with help in clotting.
* By having poorly fitting dentures.
* Having gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease.
At Home Treatments to Address Bleeding Gums
Here are a few remedies to stop your bleeding gums at home:
* Use a soft bristle toothbrush; a stiff brush will irritate the tissue.
* Gently flossing; aggressive flossing will cause irritation.
* Rinsing your mouth with salt water to remove excessive bacteria.
* Use antibacterial mouthwash to eliminate damaging bacteria.
* Use a damp gauze pad.
* Apply a cold compress to reduce the swelling and slow down the blood flow.
* Avoid smoking because it has a direct correlation with gum disease.
* Steering away from processed and sugary foods which promote plaque buildup.
Professional Treatment for Bleeding Gums
The best, easiest, and quickest way to treat your bleeding gums is to make an appointment with your dentist. A routine but thorough examination, including x-rays, will pinpoint the cause of your bleeding gums. Usually, it will be from gum disease. It is a frequent cause. Over half of all American adults over the age of thirty are dealing with some form of gum disease.
If gum disease is the cause, your dentist will begin with a professional teeth cleaning. This is a common treatment to remove all the plaque buildup from your teeth by using a handheld scaler or a vibrating ultrasonic device. The plaque carries the bacteria that immediately infects the gums when coming in contact. By simply removing this source of the infection, your gums will begin to heal quickly on their own, or your dentist might include an antibiotic to help the healing process.