What Causes Gums to Bleed?

Does your gum bleed while you brush or floss? This could be due to various reasons. One of the most common reasons for bleeding is due to Gingivitis in young adults. Gingivitis is the early stages of gum disease and is often caused by poor dental health habits. Gingivitis can be treated and is often preventable if taken care.

 

Other major reason for gum to bleed is periodontitis or gum disease. This is due to excessive buildup of plaque on teeth or food accumulation, resulting in inflammation or swelling of gum and bleeding if the gum is disturbed, and is often caused by not brushing and flossing for a long period of time. People with gum disease will need more frequent visits with dentist to treat and control the progression of gum disease. The damages caused by advanced gum disease could be receding gums, bone loss, damage to jaw bone, loss of teeth etc… Some times this will lead to costly treatment for gum surgery and bone grafting. Excessive bone loss is not reversible and can lead to permanent damage to teeth and gum. Consult with Dr. Jacob, to identify and treat gum disease or periodontitis

 

Those who have just started flossing may experience bleeding between teeth. The bleeding will eventually reduce and will stop if the flossing is continued daily and when the gums heal. Flossing and brushing regularly is the ideal way to arrest Gingivitis and Periodontitis (Gum disease).

 

Certain medications like blood thinners may also cause gum to bleed while brushing and flossing. Consult with your dentist if your gums bleed or you see swelling or inflammation of gum.