Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Bleeding Gums?
Gums should never bleed!! This is what dentists advise because. But, unfortunately, many people ignore this, especially when the gums bleed while brushing or flossing. For them, it’s like a minor issue that goes away after the morning dental routine. But, the thing is that bleeding gums are an indication of underlying dental problems that require attention.
In this post, we will discuss the major reasons for bleeding gums and reasons to not ignore them.
Causes of bleeding gums
Poor oral hygiene and periodontal diseases
Commonly, bleeding gums are caused by poor oral hygiene. When plaque and tartar accumulate at the gum line, it can lead to inflammation of the gingival tissues and bleeding during brushing or flossing. Gum disease has two forms, namely gingivitis and periodontitis, and bleeding gums is a typical symptom of both.
Gingivitis is the initial stage of periodontal disease, which is often mild and reversible. During this stage, the gum tissue becomes inflamed, but no support around the tooth has been lost yet. However, if left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, where there is a loss of support around the tooth. This loss of support can cause a recession, tooth shifting, and eventually, tooth loss.
Pregnancy Gingivitis
During pregnancy, many women experience a condition called pregnancy gingivitis, which is quite common. This condition is caused by hormonal changes that result in increased blood flow to the gum tissue, leading to swollen and bleeding gums.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also affect the body’s immune system, making it harder to fight off infections, and making pregnant women more vulnerable to bacteria in plaque. Consequently, inflammation in the gums can increase, leading to more frequent bleeding than usual.
Medications
There are several reasons why a person’s medical history is relevant to their dental care, but one significant factor is the potential side effects of medication. Many medications can cause gingival inflammation and bleeding as a side effect.
For example, blood-thinning medications like aspirin can lead to increased bleeding of the gums due to their impact on blood viscosity. Also, certain medications used for seizures, immune system suppression, and high blood pressure can cause gingival inflammation.
Reasons not to ignore bleeding gums
When left untreated for long, bleeding gums develop advanced gum diseases or any other serious dental health conditions. Sometimes, these dental problems can only be treated after surgery, which is painful as well as time-taking. It’s said that gum disease is the common reason for tooth loss.
Other than this, untreated bleeding gums leads to halitosis, tiredness, preterm birth, low birth weight, jawbone complications, and even heart problems. And it’s all because no part of the body works alone. Oral health influences the immune system and overall health. Every body part is interlinked especially your oral health.
Ways to control bleeding gums
In general, bleeding gums can be managed by maintaining proper home care and regularly scheduling dental cleanings. Most individuals will require a dental cleaning every six months. If someone has periodontal disease, their dentist may suggest a deep cleaning to eliminate all tartar and plaque beneath the gum line, as well as more frequent appointments.
Nevertheless, without effective home care, the advantages of professional treatment may be lost. Brushing twice daily and flossing at least once a day are crucial to reducing the likelihood of bleeding gums.
If you want professional treatment for your bleeding gums, come to College Street Dental.
