Bleeding gums are a common dental complaint. Most of you must have noticed some blood when you spit after brushing. Noticing blood once or twice, is not a cause for concern. However, if your gums bleed regularly, then you must get a dental check-up done soon.
Causes for gum bleeding
- Poor oral hygiene: Ineffective and irregular brushing causes plaque buildup on teeth and around the gums. This causes localised gum inflammation and infection.
- Tartar buildup: This is the most common culprit for bleeding gums. If you have swollen gums that bleed often, chances are high that you have tartar. Tartar is plaque that is hardened due to calcium deposits in the saliva. Once the plaque is hardened, it sticks to your teeth and puts pressure on the gums. This causes gums to get infected and inflamed, also known as gingivitis.
- Periodontitis: If gingivitis is left untreated, it progresses to infect the surrounding bone. This causes loss of bone support, gaps within teeth and mobility of teeth. This stage needs urgent intervention.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes such as during pregnancy, can cause gums to swell and bleed more easily.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Deficiency of Vitamin C and K can cause gum bleeding.
- Medications: Some medicines such as blood thinners, anticonvulsants, or certain antihypertensives may increase bleeding risk.
- Injury: Sometimes bleeding may be due to an injury caused by a hard-bristled brush, inappropriate brushing technique or use of excessive force while brushing.
Treatment for bleeding gums
- Professional cleaning: If the cause for bleeding is gingivitis or periodontitis, then a thorough professional cleaning (scaling) is needed.
- Maintenance therapy: Post scaling, your dentist may recommend certain medications like antimicrobial gels and mouthwash for complete gum healing.
- Nutritional supplements: Vit C supplements promote gum health and reduce the chances of bleeding.
- Medications: If certain medications are the cause of gum swelling, your dentist can work with your doctor to switch you on alternate medicines.
Preventive care for gum health
- Good oral hygiene: Maintaining good oral health by brushing thoroughly twice a day and flossing correctly is the first step in ensuring gum health.
- Brushing technique: Understand and employ the correct brushing method that ensures effective plaque removal while avoiding gum injury.
- Gum massage: Gently massage your gums at least thrice a week with your index finger to stimulate circulation and maintain gum health.
- Oil pulling: This is an ancient method wherein coconut oil is swished around the mouth in the morning for a few minutes and spit out. This is done on empty stomach and before brushing. Brushing is recommended post spitting the oil.
- Diet: Ensuring a balanced diet rich in Vitamin B, C, E and K and calcium helps to keep the gums and bones healthy. Some gum friendly food examples are citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, apples, seeds, nuts, spinach, milk, cheese, etc.
- Scaling: Professional cleaning every six months is recommended to minimise teeth and gum problems.
Gum infection and Heart health
Research increasingly shows a strong connection between gum disease and heart health. Infected gums can allow harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart. This may lead to a condition known as subacute bacterial endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart lining. Oral infection also triggers inflammation which increases the chances of cardiovascular disorders. People with untreated periodontitis are at a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
Conclusion
Regular dental check-up and cleaning, not only ensures a healthy mouth, but also affects your overall health positively. A simple 15 minute cleaning biannually, can go a long way in preventing tooth loss and overall morbidity.
