Do you notice your gums bleeding after you brush or floss? The most common cause is gingivitis, but there are other reasons your gums might bleed, even when you’re not brushing or flossing. Let’s go over some causes of bleeding gums and how we treat this issue at our Cockeysville, MD, dental office.
What Causes Bleeding Gums?
Several reasons might cause your gums to bleed or feel irritated, such as:
Brushing Too Hard
Brushing your teeth too hard can lead to bleeding gums and even gum recession over time. Using harsh toothpaste, like whitening toothpaste, can also cause your gums to become more sensitive. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste. This will help prevent your gums from bleeding.
Medications
Some medications can make your gums more likely to bleed. These include blood pressure medications, birth control, blood thinners, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If you’re taking any of these, your gums may become more sensitive and prone to irritation.
Poorly Fitting Dentures
If you wear dentures that don’t fit well, they can cause your gums to bleed. When dentures rest on your gums but don’t fit properly, they can harm the tissue and bone in your jaw. If your dentures feel uncomfortable or don’t fit right, contact your dentist. You might also want to consider getting implant-supported dentures, which are more secure.
Poor Oral Care
Not brushing and flossing regularly can cause plaque to build up on your teeth, which irritates your gums and makes them bleed. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria that forms when food and saliva mix. If you don’t brush and floss to get rid of it, plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist.
Tartar can cause irritation and lead to gum inflammation, called gingivitis. Common signs of this include red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush or floss. To prevent these problems, it’s important to brush twice a day and floss every day. This keeps plaque under control and keeps your gums healthy.
Gum Disease
Bleeding gums are an early warning sign of gum disease, often indicating gingivitis or gum inflammation. When plaque builds up along the gum line, it hardens into tartar, which can irritate your gums.
If you don’t floss regularly, your gums might bleed when you brush. If you’ve just started flossing again, stick with it. After a while, the bleeding should stop if you floss every day.
Vitamin Deficiencies
Not getting enough vitamins can also affect your gums, causing them to bleed. Vitamin C, which is key for keeping your gums strong, helps your body fight infections and keeps gum tissue healthy. Without enough vitamin C, your gums can become weak, making them more likely to bleed and get inflamed, which can lead to scurvy.
Vitamin K is also important because it helps your blood clot. If you don’t have enough vitamin K, your body might struggle to stop bleeding, which can show up as gum problems. Both of these vitamins also help with making collagen and keeping your blood vessels healthy. To keep your gums strong, you should eat foods rich in vitamins, like fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
Hormonal Changes
Changes in hormones during pregnancy, your period, or menopause can make your gums more sensitive and cause them to bleed. During pregnancy, hormones like estrogen and progesterone rise, making your gums more prone to swelling and bleeding. This condition is called pregnancy gingivitis.
Hormonal shifts during your period can also make your gums more sensitive because they change blood flow and immune response in your mouth. During menopause, hormone levels drop, which can cause dry mouth and weaken the bones around your teeth, leading to gum problems. Taking care of your oral health during these stages of life is very important to avoid issues with your gums.
How to Prevent Bleeding Gums in Cockeysville, MD
If your gums keep bleeding even with regular brushing and flossing, give our office a call. Regular dental check-ups help remove plaque and tartar that can cause bleeding. If you’re taking any medications that affect your gums, let us know so we can adjust your care plan. We may recommend more frequent visits if you have ongoing issues with bleeding gums.
If your bleeding is due to brushing too hard or wearing poorly fitting dentures, we can help with that too. We can recommend a new toothbrush, toothpaste, or dental restoration that’s better suited for your needs.
If you often have bleeding or painful gums, we’re here to help. Schedule a dental visit through our website or give Valley Dental Health a call at 443-733-6613. If you have questions about your gum health, bring them up at your next appointment. We’re always ready to assist with your dental needs.