Here are the top 4 causes of bleeding gums that you may not be aware of

Gums are one of the most important parts of the human mouth. They are support structures for teeth and aid in performing the regular functions of the buccal cavity. As we age, our gums become prone to swelling, reddening, and bleeding. All these are indicators of underlying gum disease or infection.

If your gums bleed when you brush and floss them and you have bad breath, you may have gingivitis. Gum disease during the early stage is called Gingivitis. When gingivitis is left untreated, it becomes more severe and periodontitis can develop. This is a serious medical condition that affects the way the gums support and hold the teeth.

Untreated periodontitis can cause severe jaw damage. The bone in the jaw starts to decompose and small gaps start to open up between the gum and the teeth. The teeth become loose and they eventually fall out.

Gum disease is a serious medical condition. Bleeding gums is the first sign of gum disease which is in the preliminary stages. Let us take a look at the major causes of bleeding gums.

Brushing Too Hard

• This is the simplest and easiest-to-fix cause of bleeding gums. Sometimes we brush teeth too hard in a bid to keep them germ-free and clean. Also, when we start using a new brush, it can take a few days for the gums to adjust to them.

The tissues of gums are quite delicate and vigorous brushing can damage them. If your gums bleed and ache after brushing them, then you should know that your choice of brush may be wrong. You should opt for a brush with soft nylon bristles with muffled ends. Brushes with hard and medium bristles can injure the teeth’ enamel and cause swelling in the gums.

• Use gentle, circular motions to massage and clean the teeth and gums. Back and forth motion for cleaning the teeth can be damaging and irritate the delicate lining of the gums.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

This difficult-to-pronounce disorder is caused due to low levels of platelets which lead to frequent bleeding and bruising of jaws. Platelets in the blood aid in the clotting of wounds but when they are not present in sufficient quantity, even a little bruise would bleed excessively.

• People suffering from this disorder usually have bleeding gums along with bleeding from other body parts.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Vitamins are important components that regulate multiple bodily functions. The deficiency of important vitamins such as Vit C and K can lead to excessive bleeding of the gums. Lack of Vitamin C causes scurvy which is a disease of the gums. Get your levels of these important vitamins checked if your gums are sore and bleed despite maintaining a good dental regimen.

Gingivitis

• Gingivitis is a medical condition that is characterized by inflammation, reddening, and bleeding of gums. It occurs due to the prolonged accumulation of plaque and bacteria on the gum lines. Plaque is the debris and bacteria which stick to your teeth due to poor oral hygiene.

Plaque is formed when oral bacteria decompose leftover food inside the mood. It is a filmy sticky substance that causes cavities and dental decay. If plaque stays on the teeth and gum for too long, it hardens and becomes tartar (calculus). Calculus leads to gum inflammation and subsequent reddening and bleeding.

• This condition is called Gingivitis.  If gingivitis is left untreated it can take the form of serious periodontal disease and irreversible loss of teeth.

This information has been brought to you by Icon Dental Center. They are located in Seattle and Everett.