What Causes Bleeding Gums?

Bleeding gums is usually a symptom of gum disease. However, it can also develop due to different health problems. It is usually caused by improper tooth brushing, improper flossing or improper use of dentures. It can also be a symptom of some diseases such as gum infections (periodontitis), vitamin deficiency or leukemia. For this reason, it is important for people who experience recurrent bleeding in the gums to see a specialist immediately.

There are some factors that can cause the structure of the gums to deteriorate and cause bleeding in the gums. In order to prevent this situation, people should pay attention to oral and dental hygiene and care should be done correctly. If oral and dental care is incomplete or incorrect, it causes bleeding gums. There are also different conditions and diseases that can cause such bleeding. For this reason, the underlying cause should be identified and treated as soon as possible.

What is Bleeding Gums?

Bleeding gums are among the most common dental problems. It can occur and develop as a result of plaque buildup on the teeth. Plaque buildup can also cause serious conditions that can threaten a person's health, such as gingivitis, tooth loss and jawbone disease.  
The emergence of such diseases and disorders can negatively affect the quality of life of the person and lead to deterioration of health. For this reason, bleeding gums should not be ignored. 
A dentist should be visited to determine the conditions and causes that may lead to such problems. With a dental examination, the underlying questions are identified and the treatment process is started.

What are the Symptoms of Bleeding Gums?

One of the most common problems encountered during tooth brushing is bleeding gums. In addition, some sensitivity problems may also occur as different signs and symptoms of problems that cause bleeding gums.
Symptoms of bleeding gums can be listed as follows 

• Pain in the gums when consuming hot food or cold drinks
• Feeling of pressure on the gums when chewing food
• The gum is redder than its natural color 
• Swollen gums 
• Tightening of the gums too much due to prosthesis use

What Causes Bleeding Gums?

In addition to gum-related disorders, many different conditions can also be among the causes of bleeding gums. The most common causes among such conditions are as follows:

Gingivitis
It is the first stage in gum diseases. Common symptoms include sensitization or reddening of the gums. It occurs as a result of the accumulation of plaque in the gums and an increase in bacteria.

Medicines
Bleeding gums can also be seen as a side effect of certain medications. Blood thinners and drugs that increase blood clotting accelerate bleeding gums. If such problems occur, it is important to be checked by a dentist specialist. 

Mouth and Dental Care Products
Some oral care products used by people or changing these products can also cause such situations. If oral and dental hygiene is improper or improperly performed, bleeding in the gums may occur. These problems will disappear if normal routine care is performed.

Pregnancy Periods
During pregnancy, there may be differences in the hormones of the person. Such hormonal changes can cause sensitivity in the gums. As a result of increased blood flow in the gums, bleeding may occur while cleaning the mouth and teeth.

Lack of Oral Care
Inadequate oral care or incorrect practices are among the main causes of such bleeding. If oral and dental health is performed regularly and daily, bleeding will disappear.

Unhealthy Diet
Another factor that can cause bleeding gums is an unhealthy and irregular diet. Some components in processed foods can cause irritation in the gums and cause sensitivity. In addition, balanced and healthy nutrition should be given importance in order to prevent bleeding gums, which may also occur due to the lack of certain vitamins.

Stress Related Bleeding
Stress can cause many diseases and disorders. These include problems such as bleeding gums. People exposed to long-term stress may experience deterioration in vascular health and weakening of the immune system. In such cases, oral health is negatively affected and bleeding gums may develop.

Cigarette
It is known that smoking, which has many harms, also affects oral and dental health badly and negatively. Harmful substances in cigarette smoke can multiply in the gums and cause infections. In order to avoid such situations and to protect body health, smoking should be avoided.

How to Diagnose Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are usually a symptom that occurs due to a problem. However, a specialist should be consulted to diagnose and treat the underlying cause. Daily oral and dental hygiene should be maintained and practiced correctly. It is also important to make dental check-ups a routine every 6 months. 
The diagnosis of bleeding gums can be made by dentists during the examination of the person. Sharing the patient's complaints with the dentist during the examination makes it easier to diagnose the problems.
In some cases, some tests may also be requested to clarify the diagnosis and determine the underlying cause. Once the cause of bleeding gums is determined, the treatment process is planned.

How to Treat Bleeding Gums

Treatment of bleeding gums first requires regular and proper personal oral and dental hygiene. In addition to daily oral and dental hygiene, it is also recommended that diagnosed patients go to the dentist for regular dental examinations every 6 months. Early diagnosis of gum disease facilitates treatment and prevents some serious complications that the patient may experience in the future.
Proper brushing and flossing minimizes the build-up and development of plaque and greatly reduces the risk of bleeding gums. Since bleeding is usually caused by bacterial infections, the dentist may recommend the use of certain antiseptic mouthwashes.
The choice of toothbrush is also important to prevent damage to the gums during tooth brushing. Generally recommended toothbrushes are those with soft tips. It is especially important to use such brushes for people with sensitive gums. 
When bleeding gums are at advanced levels and make daily life difficult, treatment can be applied by the dentist using some medications. It is possible to eliminate problems such as bleeding gums with medication treatments recommended by the dentist and proper oral hygiene.