Bleeding gums - causes, symptoms and treatments

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The problem of bleeding gums is widespread. And the aesthetic flaw in this case is not the only disadvantage. If your gums are bleeding, it may not be a big deal, but it could also be a sign of a serious oral disease.

Why do my gums bleed?

Bleeding from the gums can occur for mechanical or pathological reasons.
The first group includes a blow to the jaw area or minor injuries due to an incorrectly selected crown or filling. In this case, bleeding goes away immediately after the problem is eliminated. Only a doctor can assess whether a crown has been chosen correctly or a filling has been installed during a face-to-face consultation, because it is difficult to see such nuances on your own. Gums can also be damaged by a brush that is too hard, intensive use of dental floss, or careless impact with other objects in an attempt to completely remove food debris. In this case, bleeding appears only after the procedure and disappears after a few minutes.

Pathological causes are associated with diseases of the oral cavity and other organs. Bleeding is a symptom:

• gingivitis - inflammation of the gums;
• stomatitis - ulcers on the oral mucosa;
• periodontitis - inflammation of the soft tissues around the tooth (localized - in several units, or generalized with damage to the entire jaw);
• leukemia (leukemia) - blood cancer with a characteristic decrease in immunity;
• intoxication with heavy metals (lead, mercury);
• diabetes mellitus, which causes weakness of the gums and blood vessels due to characteristic angiopathy.

Often gums bleed due to hormonal changes. It can be caused by pregnancy, menstrual irregularities, and puberty.

When your gums bleed when brushing your teeth

Most patients' gums do not bleed constantly. Symptoms only appear when brushing your teeth or eating hard foods. This occurs for several reasons:

• inflammation of the gums makes them more vulnerable to injury;
• the process of desquamation of the epithelium of the oral mucosa intensifies, which thins the tissue;
• capillaries located close to the gums become more permeable and bleeding occurs more easily.

The combination of all three factors leads to the fact that when brushing your teeth, your gums begin to bleed. This symptom should not be ignored. Cure the disease at an early stage is much faster and cheaper than in an advanced form. And the appearance of blood when brushing your teeth is not considered normal; it is always a sign of pathology.

Predisposing factors

Bleeding gums can be caused by injury or disease. But there are a number of factors that make the risk of this symptom appearing higher.

Gums bleed in patients:

• with chronic inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity;
• with xerostomia - dry mouth;
• with reduced immunity, including HIV and AIDS;
• with vitamin deficiency, especially C and K;
• with mouth breathing;
• with poor or irregular oral hygiene.

These factors cannot be called the cause, but they contribute to the development of bleeding gums. Those for whom none of the points apply have a much greater chance of not learning about such a problem.

If your gums bleed in the morning or at night

Peak bleeding at night or in the morning indicates an unsuitable toothbrush. During brushing, the gums are injured. In this case, you need to visit the dentist and take a hygiene lesson with the selection of personal hygiene products.

Bleeding gums may not be normal. It is definitely worth finding out the cause and treating it before the disease reaches a chronic stage.

Special ointments

Ointment and gel, although many combine them into one concept, are not the same thing. The ointment has a fatty base and almost does not seep into the mucous membranes of the gingival tissues, therefore it does not linger on the gums for a long time. The gel, on the contrary, is well absorbed and lasts a long time. Ointment for treating gum tissue against bleeding is not suitable - it gives an effect only when applied externally, but the gel will be very effective.

Bad breath due to bleeding gums

Bleeding from the gums is often accompanied by bad breath. There are several reasons for this:

• proliferation of bacteria against the background of inflammation;
• accumulation of soft and hard dental plaque;
• the presence of deposits under the gum that are not visible to the naked eye.

An unpleasant odor is a formidable symptom, since it does not appear immediately. This means the disease is already progressing. It is impossible to find out the cause and eliminate it on your own (without a dentist); The pathology will become chronic and it will be more difficult to cure.

Symptoms

The formation of blood is a sign of a problem, but other symptoms also appear with the disease. Likely to occur:

1. pain when touched;
2. swelling and redness of the oral mucosa;
3. heavy salivation;
4. dental plaque.

Symptoms provide evidence that there is a problem. Only a dentist can determine the cause of bleeding.

A lump with pus on the gum against the background of bleeding

The appearance of a tumor on the gum can frighten anyone. The presence of a round swelling against the background of bleeding gums indicates one of the diseases:

• periodontitis - destruction of the soft tissue around the tooth with the formation of a characteristic lump;
• periodontitis - the presence of a capsule with pus on the gum due to destruction of the tooth root;
• intragingival fistula - a lump with pus inside, the contents of which, when ruptured, come out, significantly facilitating the patient’s well-being;
• periostitis (flux) - a red spherical formation on the gum, the appearance of which is accompanied by swelling of the cheeks and enlargement of the nearest lymph nodes;
• epulis is a neoplasm that does not contain pus, resulting from mechanical damage to the soft tissues of the oral cavity;
• Gingivitis is a painless lump on the gum.

Most of these conditions require urgent medical attention. If pus gets into the bloodstream or into the internal tissues of the tooth, it not only leads to severe pain, but also poses a fatal danger. If a lump appears on your gum, you should immediately go to see a dental surgeon. He will determine the cause of its formation and select treatment.

Gums bleed in pregnant women

While carrying a child, a woman’s body undergoes restructuring: special hormones begin to be produced, and the body changes. This also applies to the oral cavity. Every second pregnant woman is diagnosed with hypertrophic gingivitis. It is manifested by an increase in gingival papillae and the appearance of bleeding.

The cause of this condition in a pregnant woman can also be the accumulation of bacteria due to an increase in the depth of the gum pockets. Bacteria accumulate in them, causing inflammation. Proper brushing helps to avoid the development of bleeding gums. It is better to use an irrigator and mouth rinses for this.

Children's gums bleed

Young children enjoy brushing their teeth the least. If parents do not control the quality of oral hygiene, gingivitis occurs. In this case, the main symptom of the disease is bleeding gums.

The physiological cause of this condition in children is the process of teething. In this case, the integrity of the gum is compromised and it can bleed.

Problems with the gums are also caused by an incorrect bite. In this case, soft tissues are injured by teeth that are incorrectly positioned relative to each other.

Wearing orthodontic appliances can damage the integrity of the gums. This especially happens when wearing braces with uneven edges. To prevent injury, locks must be treated with special wax. But children often forget to do this; as a result, braces damage soft tissues, causing bleeding.

“Disease of dirty hands” - stomatitis, also more often affects children. They take less care of hygiene, which provokes the appearance of characteristic ulcers on the mucous membrane.

Some parents believe that children do not need to treat their baby teeth, because they will still be replaced by molars. This opinion is erroneous, because caries is caused by bacteria, and their constant presence in the mouth leads to periodontitis. The disease is characterized not only by bleeding gums, but also by the appearance of bumps with pus. This condition requires immediate medical intervention, otherwise serious complications arise.

Causes of gingivitis

Gingivitis

There are several causes of gingivitis, which can be divided into external and internal.

External reasons

They are the most common, usually easy to detect and are considered the main factors causing gingivitis:

• Poor oral hygiene. The most popular reason is that bacteria multiply in plaque and tartar, which is formed due to insufficient hygiene, which provoke gum inflammation.
• Injuries and burns to the mucous membrane due to eating hard or hot foods. If they are regular, the wounds can become infected, which provokes inflammation.
• Injury to gums due to fillings, braces and dentures. Since these structures are constantly in the mouth, injury becomes regular.
• Smoking. Tar and other substances from cigarettes settle on the teeth, forming plaque, and nicotine impairs blood flow to the gums, which in combination provokes inflammation.
• Eruption of wisdom teeth. If a tooth is cut for a long time and incorrectly, it can become a source of constant inflammation and provoke gingivitis.
• Caries and other dental diseases. They also become a source of inflammation, which spreads from the teeth to the gums.

All these reasons, one way or another, cause bacteria to multiply in the mouth, which causes gingivitis.

Internal reasons

These causes are more difficult to distinguish, since they cannot be detected by a simple visual examination of the oral cavity. Often they serve only as an additional factor that increases the risk of developing gingivitis in the presence of external causes.

• Lack of vitamins and microelements.
• Weakened immunity, immunodeficiency states.
• Long-term use of antibiotics.
• Impaired metabolism.
• Gastrointestinal diseases.
• Frequent sore throats, tonsillitis, sinusitis.
• Stress and psychological disorders.
• Pregnancy changes hormonal levels and the worst effect is on the gums.
• Diabetes.
• The presence of inflammatory processes in the body - bacteria can enter the gums through the blood and cause gingivitis “from the inside.”

It is precisely because of the presence of such internal causes that a comprehensive diagnosis is important for gingivitis - sometimes even eliminating plaque and other external factors does not help get rid of inflammation, so more serious treatment must be prescribed.

Which doctor will help if my gums are bleeding?

If you have bleeding gums, you should consult a dentist. In the absence of complications, the doctor’s specialization does not play a role.

If the condition is complicated by the appearance of a lump with pus, you should immediately go to a dental surgeon. He will determine the type of tumor, choose treatment tactics and, if necessary, perform urgent surgery. At the Matisse Dent clinic, you don’t need to make an appointment several weeks in advance, endure pain and wait for help. With an acute condition, doctors will accept and perform surgery on the day of treatment.

SOS remedies against bleeding gums

Sometimes it’s impossible to get to the doctor and you need to wait 1-2 days until the appointment. In this case, several SOS tools will help.

1. Rinses: chlorhexidine, oak bark decoction, LACALUT Aktiv rinses with aluminum lactate and sodium fluoride, PRESIDENT Antibacterial with plant extracts - relieve inflammation, prevent bleeding.
2. Gels: Cholisal, Parodontocid - reduce pain, remove signs of inflammation.
3. Pastes: Forest balm - contains oak bark, stops bleeding, strengthens gums.

All means must be used comprehensively. First, brush your teeth, then rinse (1 minute). After this, the solution is spat out and the gums are dried with gauze: this way the gel is better fixed. Then use ointments, applying with your finger to the entire inflamed surface. If saliva comes out during treatment, you should not swallow it, you need to spit it out.

After the procedure, you should refrain from drinking for 30 minutes and from eating for 2 hours. Treatment is carried out twice a day: after breakfast and at night.

The most effective remedy for diseases in which the gums begin to bleed is antibiotics. They help to quickly relieve inflammation and improve well-being. But they are available with a prescription and are taken only as prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, you won’t be able to buy and prescribe antibiotics yourself. It is better to immediately make an appointment with a specialist so as not to waste time and money on something that will not solve the problem, but will only delay the inevitable.

How do mouthwashes work?

Complex treatment of gingival bleeding is not complete without rinsing the mouth with medicinal solutions. Patients often ask us how to rinse gums that are bleeding. If you want to recover quickly, then rinse your mouth with either ready-made rinses or self-prepared herbal decoctions and tinctures. Great for rinsing gums when bleeding:

• PresiDENT;
• Lacalut;
• Silka.

If you want to try medicinal herbs, the following have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects:

• chamomile;
• St. John's wort;
• Oak bark;
• yarrow;
• sage.

If you don’t have the right product on hand, you can prepare a solution from baking soda (one teaspoon per glass of boiling water).

Mistakes in self-medication

When trying to get rid of bleeding gums on their own, patients make a number of mistakes. Never worth it:

• start taking antibiotics without a prescription - they may not be needed, but the blow to the body will be dealt;
• Stop brushing your teeth - this will only lead to a worsening of the condition;
• getting too carried away with oral hygiene - this will not save you from complications and will not cure, but will only aggravate the situation due to systematic injury to soft tissues;
• be afraid to go to the dentist - modern treatment methods are painless and do not cause discomfort, unlike purulent complications.

Lack of timely and competent treatment of bleeding gums leads to the spread of inflammation to bone formations. As a result, teeth become loose and fall out, requiring implants to be inserted. This is much more expensive than contacting a specialist in time to solve a gum problem.

You should not let the disease progress and self-medicate; come to the Matisse Dent clinic and receive competent medical care.

Preventive measures

In order not to wonder why gums bleed and what to do, it is necessary to regularly carry out preventive maintenance of the oral cavity and teeth. It is necessary to visit a specialist twice a year for an examination and dental cleaning to detect when inflammation is just beginning. It is necessary to ensure hygiene at home, brush your teeth twice a day, use dental floss and mouth rinses. It is also worth paying attention to your diet, making it balanced and nutritious.