Common Causes for Bleeding Gums (And How to Treat Them)

Bleeding gums can be cause for concern and for good reason. Gums that are tender, swollen, and bleed are gums that may be showing signs of gum disease, also called periodontal disease.

While not all cases of bleeding gums are due to periodontal disease, it is important to get checked out at El Segundo Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics to determine the exact cause of your bleeding gums. With our professional evaluation, you can rest assured that your gums are in good hands.

Read on to learn more about common causes of bleeding gums and how to treat them in the South Bay.

What Is Gum Disease (Also Known as Periodontal Disease)?

Gum disease (periodontal disease) is a fairly common and fortunately preventable and treatable condition of the gums aka gingiva. It occurs when bacteria build up and start feasting on plaque and tartar attached to the teeth near the gumline. The bacteria exude waste materials that can actually eat away at tooth enamel and bone. The bacterial infection also inflames the gums, causing gums to swell and bleed.

The end result of untreated gum disease can be permanent tooth loss, which is why it is important to catch and treat gum disease early on. If you notice your gums are bleeding, then it’s probably a good idea to contact us right away at El Segundo Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics.

What Causes Bleeding Gums?

As we just explained in the section on gum disease, bacteria buildup can cause bleeding in the gums. However, it’s not the only reason why gums might bleed, and there are other conditions that might aggravate gum bleeding. Hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, and infections might cause or exacerbate bleeding gums.

Can Brushing or Flossing Your Teeth Cause Gums to Bleed?

If you have just started flossing your teeth, it is somewhat normal and not necessarily a sign of gum disease if your gums bleed a little. However, if your gums continue to bleed while you floss, you may have gingivitis (gum inflammation) or periodontitis (full-blown periodontal or gum disease).

Remember, don’t stop flossing just because your gums are bleeding (as long as they aren’t hurting or there is an obvious abscess). It will make the gum disease worse to stop flossing.

Rough brushing or flossing can potentially aggravate gum tissue and cause it to bleed, so be sure to ask a dental hygienist at El Segundo Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics how to properly brush and floss. We can usually tell if “overbrushing” is occurring by examining your mouth.

Can Poor Nutrition Cause Gums to Bleed?

Yes, poor nutrition can cause gums to bleed or making bleeding gums worse. The most common nutritional deficiency correlated with bleeding gums is a vitamin C deficiency. Talk to us at El Segundo Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics to see if a vitamin C supplement might be advisable.

Be sure to eat lots of leafy greens and vegetables to help support your oral health. A balanced diet will help improve your oral health overall.

Can Medications Cause Gums to Bleed?

Certain medications can cause bleeding gums or contribute to worsening the condition. Blood thinning medications in particular can be problematic if gingivitis is already an issue. Talk to us at El Segundo Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics if you are on blood thinners or other medications that might impact bleeding gums. You may also need to discuss the issue with your primary care physician or prescribing medical specialist.

Can Pregnancy Cause Gums to Bleed?

There’s an oral health condition called “pregnancy gingivitis” where the hormonal changes during pregnancy cause the gums to be more sensitive to bacteria. This means the gums are more likely to become inflamed and tender during pregnancy.

Can Smoking Cause Gums to Bleed?

Smoking can cause dry mouth and irritate the gum tissue. This can lead to tender, bleeding gums.

Can Braces Cause Bleeding Gums?

Sometimes braces can become dislodged due to chewing on hard objects or sticky foods. If this happens, the wires can poke out and sometimes irritate the gums. Contact us right away at our South Bay dentist office so we can adjust your braces and resolve the issue.

What Else Can Cause Bleeding Gums?

There are many other possible causes of bleeding gums, from drug abuse to diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and even stress. This is why we will work with your primary care physician to support your overall health.

How Can You Prevent Bleeding Gums?

Assuming your issue is gingivitis and not another cause, the best way to prevent and reduce gum bleeding is through proper oral hygiene. This includes daily brushing and flossing with a soft bristle toothbrush. Sometimes a water pic can work better than string floss for people with particularly sensitive gums.

Be sure you do not “over brush” and brush too rigorously or floss too hard, which can aggravate sensitive, inflamed gums.

When you are done brushing and flossing, use a mouthwash with germ killing properties to rinse away any bacterial and food reside. Many mouthwashes on the market are specifically geared towards gingivitis.

How Can Gum Disease Be Treated?

Gum disease (aka periodontal disease) needs to be taken seriously, because if it is left untreated, it could cause tooth loss in the long run. This is why you should get a check up at our South Bay dental office to be sure you don’t have a progressive form of gum disease.

If you do have gingivitis or gum disease, we will probably recommend a root scaling and planing, which is a deep dental cleaning that goes underneath the gumline to remove the plaque and tartar building up causing your bleeding gums in the first place.

How Can Dental Checkups Prevent Gum Bleeding?

Getting your teeth and gums regularly looked at by a qualified dentist such as El Segundo Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics is important. We will perform a thorough oral examination to see what is going on with your gums and teeth. We will also review your medical history and medication list to see if anything else might be contributing to your gums bleeding.

Using a special probe, we can check your gums for periodontal pockets that might indicate gingivitis or gum disease aka periodontal disease. If we find any signs of gum disease, we will discuss a treatment plan with you, which might include root scaling and planing as well as regular periodontal cleanings at our office. For advanced periodontitis cases with periodontal disease, we have many advanced options to halt the progression and renew your gums and smile through restorative dentistry.

Just remember, the first step is up to you – you must schedule an appointment with us so we can see you and get the ball rolling.

Are your gums bleeding? Come visit El Segundo Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics in the South Bay right away. We will check your gums for any signs of gingivitis or periodontal disease and get you on a path to great gum health. Contact us today at (424) 277-2671 to schedule an appointment.