Contrary to common thinking that gum bleeding during brushing or flossing is normal, it is simply not normal and not alright for gums to bleed. If your gums bleed, your gums are unhealthy. It’s as simple as that. It’s periodontal disease quietly attacking your gums and bone in your mouth. And bleeding gums is your mouth’s way of telling you that something is not right in there. And this is important especially with recent studies coming out linking periodontal disease to systemic diseases such as stroke, heart disease and diabetes.
Ordinarily, bleeding, inflamed and swollen gums may be attributed to gingivitis. However, there are other factors that could cause your gum problems.
Inflamed and bleeding gums may be caused by:
- Poor dental hygiene
- Open mouth breathing
- Medication causing tissue overgrowth, or poor healing
- Acid reflux (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Poor nutrition
- Systemic Disease
On the other hand, bleeding gums may be caused by:
- Chemotherapy. People undergoing chemotherapy treatments suffer from numerous side effects, one of which is having painful, swollen and bleeding gums. Chemotherapy can also cause stomatitis, a condition where painful sores and ulcers on the gums and throughout the mouth develop.
- Smoking. Using tobacco products can pose severe damage to your gum tissue. Smokers are more prone to developing periodontal disease than non-smokers. Smoking leads to painful sores in the mouth, sensitive and bleeding gums.
- Hormone Irregularities. It is common for some women to notice gum problems when they’re pregnant or during menstruation or menopause. Increase in hormones during puberty can elevate blood flow to the gums, causing inflamed and swollen gums.
- Menstrual gingivitis can cause the gums to become red and swollen, and can bleed shortly before each menstrual period. These symptoms will normally disappear after menstruation begins.
- Pregnancy gingivitis, on the other hand usually manifests in the second or third month of pregnancy and continues through the eighth month. Sore, swollen and bleeding gums are experienced during these times.
- Birth control pills and injectables can also cause similar gum problems.
- Menopausal age women may find that their gums become extremely dry, sore and likely to bleed.
- Improper Brushing and Flossing. Gum damage will result from improper brushing and flossing. Harmful bacteria accumulate when proper brushing and flossing techniques are not followed. And this could eventually lead to gum damage and bleeding.
Any of these reasons can cause your gums to bleed, become red, sensitive and inflamed. But whatever the causes of your gum problems, there are ways to minimize gum damage and discomfort. Avoiding dental cleanings will not solve the problem. And this is because they don’t understand why their gums are bleeding which is because the gums have become inflamed. After having your teeth cleaned and doing proper oral hygiene, your gums will be bleeding for 2 weeks before they heal and bleeding stops. You will be amazed at how good it feels not to have bleeding gums.
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