subject: Cosmetic Dentist San Francisco What Causes Bleeding Gums? [print this page] If you suffer from bleeding gums, it may be quite painful and tender due to this physical ailment. It is very important that you have an understanding of what causes bleeding gums to help you further understand what may be causing this issue so that you can protect your oral hygiene.
A common reason to have bleeding gums is gum disease. The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, and the gums start to swell and become tender. Normally, the gums will bleed upon touch, brushing your teeth, or eating. Gum disease is known as periodontal disease, which will occur after plaque has grown to cause gum irritation. If the gums are not tended to immediately, gingivitis will advance to periodontitis to result in missing teeth.
If you brush your teeth too forcefully, it may cause bleeding and pain. Many people do not have an understanding that there is no need to brush their teeth so hard, and brushing overzealously may cause the gums to bleed, especially if you have gingivitis. Otherwise, common habits, like smoking and chewing tobacco, will cause a tartar buildup and potential gum disease. These are harmful habits to the oral hygiene, and if you often smoke, it is very likely that you could have gum disease.
In other instances, you may struggle with bleeding gums due to hormones. Hormones levels can change and rise at different stages in your lifetime, and they may cause fluids to accumulate in the gum tissue so that they become red and susceptible to bleeding. As soon as the hormone levels subside, this bleeding will also stop. In other instances, you may want to see your physician about a potential vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K is very necessary to promote blood clotting, so if you are not getting enough vitamin K in your diet, it will cause your gums to bleed as a result.
For other people who suffer from autoimmune diseases, this causes cellular damage within areas of the body so that the gums are prone to bleeding. Some specific drugs will also cause these consequences, like antidepressants, oral contraceptives, and nasal sprays, so that you may struggle with bleeding gums.
For all of these instances, if you are suffering from bleeding gums, make an appointment with your dentist as quickly as possible to determine the root cause. Most often, bleeding gums will be caused by poor care for your teeth, which leaves you susceptible to gum disease. You may not understand that you are at risk for or already have gum disease, which is one of the main causes of bleeding gums. To stop this issue quickly, it is important to have a consultation with your dentist to understand the best way to care for your teeth. Taking these types of precautions will make a serious change in protecting both your teeth and gums so that you do not develop gum disease and potentially lose your teeth!
Cosmetic Dentist San Francisco What Causes Bleeding Gums?
