Gum bleeding can be a sign of poor oral hygiene or gum disease. Often, healthy gums do not bleed when you brush or floss your teeth unless you brush too hard or use a toothbrush with hard bristles. When gum disease is not treated, your symptoms can progress, potentially resulting in other health problems. You must take into account the possible reason your gums are bleeding and bring this up to your dentist in Indianapolis. Through a comprehensive checkup, your dentist can diagnose and treat the underlying cause of the issue. Before you decide on procedures, like teeth whitening or dental veneers, your gums need to be healthy.
Causes of Bleeding Gums
If gums are healthy, they tend to be firm and pink as well as fit snugly around every tooth. Bleeding gums can indicate a more severe issue. The following are common reasons your gums can bleed:
- Starting a dental flossing routine. Once you begin to floss your teeth, the gumline can bleed a bit. Also, if you tend to floss your teeth more frequently than before, your gums may also bleed a little. But this should not stop you from maintaining good oral hygiene. Flossing gets rid of dental plaque and food debris.
- Gingivitis. When plaque is left unremoved, it can cause gingivitis, which is a type of gum inflammation. With this condition, your gums may bleed and recede, and there may be a gap between them and your teeth.
- Chronic gum disease. Gum disease is a serious gum infection that damages the tender tissues of your gums and destroys your jawbone. Also, it can result in tooth loss. Periodontitis happens when you don’t address gingivitis.
- Hormonal changes. Experts say pregnancy gingivitis can happen, causing bleeding gums. This occurs when a pregnant woman brushes her teeth. This has to do with hormonal changes in her body.
- Nutrient deficiency. Vitamin C and K deficiencies can cause bleeding gums. So, it is important to know what foods you can consume to ensure your body gets enough of these nutrients.
When to Worry About Bleeding Gums
In general, the gums are robust enough to endure constant chewing of hard foods. If you experience occasional bleeding gums, you can address this problem by watching what you eat and maintaining good oral hygiene. But if your gums are sore or bleed constantly, you must see a dentist as soon as possible. This is especially important if your gums have a yellow film on them or if they are seriously swollen.
