{"id":2093,"date":"2024-12-21T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-21T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.walbridgedental.com\/blog\/?p=2093"},"modified":"2025-01-02T13:12:02","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T17:12:02","slug":"bleeding-gum-causes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walbridgedental.com\/blog\/bleeding-gum-causes\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Bleeding Gum Causes & How You Can Prevent Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Man<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to take daily care of your teeth and gums. Without the right habits for dental care, your mouth can experience a variety of pains and problems. One of the most common issues we see are patients with bleeding gums. Even the most common bleeding gum causes are reasons for concern \u2013 but they\u2019re often just one symptom of a larger problem.<\/p>\n

The Most Common Bleeding Gum Causes<\/h2>\n

Gingivitis<\/h3>\n

The most likely cause of bleeding gums is gum disease, also known as gingivitis. It\u2019s estimated that around half of American adults have some degree of gum disease.<\/a> When your mouth begins to fight against bacteria in your mouth, you\u2019ll experience inflammation and sensitivity in your gums.<\/p>\n

Bleeding gums from gingivitis are most commonly identified during brushing \u2013 when even gentle brushing leads to bleeding. In many cases, you won\u2019t necessarily feel pain, though your gums may be more sensitive to brushing than usual.<\/p>\n

The good news is that early gingivitis is easily reversed with basic dental care! Don\u2019t let the bleeding or sensitive discourage you from brushing; it\u2019s important to continue removing plaque and bacteria from your mouth to prevent gingivitis from progressing.<\/p>\n

Periodontitis<\/h3>\n

If gum disease isn\u2019t treated early on, it can develop into a more advanced stage known as periodontitis. When you have periodontitis, your gums are infected, which damages the soft tissue and leads to many other health risks.<\/a><\/p>\n

Unlike gum disease, which can often be relatively benign in its earliest stage, periodontitis is a serious condition. Not only will periodontitis cause your gums to bleed very easily, it can quickly cause you to lose your teeth<\/a> or even some of the bone structure in your mouth.<\/p>\n

Excessive Brushing<\/h3>\n

Typically, when you brush your teeth and unexpectedly identify that they\u2019re bleeding, it\u2019s a sign of gum disease. However, even without gum disease, brushing can cause some bleeding to occur. There are typically two reasons for this:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Excessive Force \u2013<\/strong> If your pain tolerance is high, you may be brushing too hard for your gums, even if it doesn\u2019t actually hurt. Your gums are tissue, which means heavy abrasion can damage them. If your dentist doesn\u2019t see other signs of gum disease, this may be the cause of your bleeding gums<\/li>\n
  2. Stiff Bristles \u2013<\/strong> Not all toothbrushes are designed the same. The firmness of the bristles ranges from soft to very stiff. Soft brushes aren\u2019t only good for preventing damage to implants or dentures, they also help prevent irritation to your gums. Consider switching brushes if you feel your bristles and find them too stiff.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Heightened Hormones During Pregnancy<\/h3>\n

    Surprisingly, pregnancy can be a very likely source of bleeding gums due to gingivitis. The increase in hormones that an expecting mother experiences dramatically increases the sensitivity of their gums. This makes them far more likely to develop gum disease, leading to bleeding gums.<\/p>\n

    While half of Americans have some degree of gum disease, nearly 70 percent of pregnant women will develop at least a mild case of gum disease! Read our article about pregnancy gingivitis to learn more!<\/a><\/p>\n

    Chemotherapy<\/h3>\n

    One side-effect of chemotherapy is low platelet count. Because these platelet cells help blood to clot, it increases bleeding in the mouth. If you\u2019re undergoing chemotherapy for any reason, it\u2019s important to pay attention to your oral health too! Infection in the mouth can happen more rapidly during chemotherapy, and your body\u2019s reaction to it might be more severe.<\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t forget to keep your dentist informed about other medical events in your life, like going through chemotherapy, so they can provider better care for your dental health.<\/p>\n

    Canker Sores<\/h3>\n

    Occasionally, you may notice small white sores in your mouth along your gums that are very sensitive to touch. These small sores, known as canker sores, can be caused by anything from stress<\/a> to gingivitis. If you irritate your canker sores by brushing them, they can easily bleed with just a small amount of force.<\/p>\n

    As painful as it may be, it\u2019s important not to skip brushing or using mouth rinse with your canker sores! Your mouth may be more susceptible to infection or disease when its compromised with sores. Just try to avoid brushing the sores directly \u2013 they will heal much faster when you don\u2019t irritate them.<\/p>\n

    Smoking & Bleeding Gums<\/h2>\n

    As gingivitis is easily reversed in its early stages, bleeding gums can sometimes be seen as a helpful early warning sign that your oral health is at risk. Unfortunately for smokers, this hard-to-miss signal that you need to take better care of your gums can be diminished due to the effects of smoking on your body.<\/p>\n

    Smoking has a side-effect of reducing the overall blood flow to your gums. Patients that smoke and suffer from gum disease may not experience visible bleeding from their gums. While this may sound like a benefit, it means that smokers sometimes develop advanced gum disease before they even realize something is wrong.<\/p>\n

    Severe cases of periodontal disease can dramatically impact your health \u2013 and are much more difficult to manage. In some cases, a smoker with gum disease may not be aware of their condition until they\u2019re already beginning to lose teeth, gums or even part of their bone mass.<\/p>\n

    Medications That Affect Gum Health<\/h1>\n

    It is important to remember that certain treatments can affect oral tissues in various ways. Some can alter the way your body responds to bacteria or inflammation in the mouth, while others can reduce your body\u2019s ability to heal or protect itself. These changes in the body\u2019s natural defenses might lead to bleeding or sensitive gums.<\/p>\n

    A key factor to watch for is an unexpected increase in gum bleeding or gum tenderness after starting a new treatment. This could indicate that your gums are reacting to these changes. Maintaining consistent oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing and flossing, becomes even more critical when you are under long-term treatment. It is also a good idea to schedule dental check-ups more frequently to monitor gum health and address any issues before they worsen.<\/p>\n

    If you notice sudden or increased gum bleeding, you can talk with your healthcare provider about possible ways to minimize oral side effects without naming or changing specific treatments. Simple measures such as adopting better brushing techniques, using an antiseptic mouth rinse, or switching to a softer toothbrush can often help reduce gum irritation. Staying hydrated and paying close attention to any changes in your mouth can go a long way toward keeping your gums healthy.<\/p>\n

    How Nutrition Impacts Gum Health<\/h1>\n

    Good nutrition is essential for strong, healthy gums. A balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients supports your body\u2019s ability to repair tissues, fight off infections, and maintain healthy levels of saliva. When it comes to gum health, the following nutrients can play a role in reducing inflammation and promoting healing:<\/p>\n