Bleeding gums: causes, treatment

Bleeding (bleeding) of the gums is not a problem in itself. This, as a rule, is only a symptom of the inflammatory process in the tissues of the oral cavity, which, however, cannot be ignored, since it may indicate serious diseases of the teeth, gums or even internal organs. If, during the standard procedure of brushing your teeth, you notice drops of blood on the bristles of a toothbrush or when rinsing your mouth, this should alert you and serve as a signal for action – you need to immediately make an appointment with a dentist who will find out the true cause of an unpleasant symptom, if If necessary, he will refer you to a specialized specialist, prescribe treatment.

In this article, we will explain what can be associated with bleeding gums, how to prevent it, and how to stop bleeding gums. First, let’s define the terminology. The problem that we will talk about in the article is symptomatic and, in fact, spotting from the gingival tissue is insignificant. In dentistry, this phenomenon has received the definition of “bleeding”. However, many patients who are not familiar with the terminology use the term “bleeding” in their search for information, so in this article we use both terms to define one problem – bleeding gums.

Bleeding gums: how to recognize the problem?

It all starts with bacteria. Under favorable conditions, they begin to actively multiply in the oral cavity, and their waste products, mixing with saliva, form plaque on the teeth. Dental deposits lead to inflammation and then destruction of the tissues around the tooth.

Bleeding of the gums is already the result of pathological processes, which are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• 1
  Bad breath that comes back quickly even after very careful oral hygiene. This sign is the first to indicate the development of the inflammatory process.
• 2
  Perceptible, visible dental deposits on the enamel, as well as subgingival dental deposits, which are diagnosed during the examination by the dentist.
• 3
  Swelling, redness of the gums.
• 4
  Overgrowth of gingival tissue (a symptom characteristic of gingivitis, for inflammation against the background of hormonal changes, for example, during pregnancy).
• 5
  Painful sensations.

In some cases, with bleeding gums, the patient’s temperature rises.

In the absence of timely treatment, diseases that provoke inflammation and bleeding of the gums can have very serious complications:

• the formation of periodontal pockets;
• gum atrophy;
• damage and destruction of tooth tissues;
• bone destruction;
• mobility and loss of teeth.

Bleeding gums: causes

The main causes of gum bleeding are plaque (calculus) and gum disease.

The development of infection in the oral cavity goes through two stages:

• 1
  Gingivitis is an inflammation of the marginal part of the gums and interdental gingival papillae. The disease leads not only to bleeding, but also to the destruction of the connective tissue between the tooth and the gum, the formation of periodontal pockets, and the exposure of the tooth neck.
• 2
  Periodontitis – develops in the absence of timely treatment for gingivitis. With periodontitis, the infection affects the periodontal tissues, that is, those tissues that firmly hold the tooth in the socket.

Diseases of the oral cavity, including bleeding gums, occur under the influence of internal or external factors. These include:

• pathological processes inside the body – disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, blood diseases, fragility of blood vessels;
• poor quality or improper oral hygiene;
• using a hard toothbrush that constantly injures the gums;
• vitamin C deficiency;
• smoking;
• violation of metabolic processes in the body;
• changes in hormonal levels (during pregnancy, adolescence);
• changes in hormonal levels (during pregnancy, adolescence); an allergic reaction to drugs, toothpaste or materials used in dentistry;
• incorrect treatment of teeth/gums in dentistry;
• wearing braces.

Any of these factors increases the predisposition to the formation of dental plaque, the development of the inflammatory process. The problem is one – bleeding gums, the reasons are different.

Self-medication of bleeding is unacceptable, since in most cases the disease requires an integrated approach aimed at restoring the health of the gums and eliminating the causes that caused the disorder. How to get rid of bleeding gums? At the first signs of inflammation, it is necessary to make an appointment with a dentist, who will diagnose, prescribe an individual treatment plan, and, if necessary, refer you to another specialized doctor for additional examination and treatment of internal diseases.

How to cure bleeding gums

With bleeding gums in dentistry, complex therapy is carried out. It consists of several stages:

• 1
  Inspection and diagnostics. They help the doctor to study the condition of the gums, identify caries, assess the condition of fillings, restorations.
• 2
  Professional hygiene. It is carried out to remove dental plaque, which is an ideal environment for the life of pathogenic bacteria.
• 3
  A therapeutic treatment aimed at fighting infection, relieving inflammation and repairing tissue.
• 4
  Recommendations for further oral care.

Professional oral hygiene plays a huge role in the treatment and prevention of bleeding gums. In modern dentistry, methods are used that effectively remove plaque and tartar, do not harm the enamel of the teeth and protect teeth from plaque formation for a long time. These methods include ultrasonic and sandblasting (Air Flow) teeth cleaning. Treatment of bleeding gums almost always begins with the removal of dental plaque.

Therapeutic treatment includes antibacterial medication, anti-inflammatory therapy, rinses, applications. As part of restorative therapy, the patient can be offered PRGF (plasma therapy), which stimulates blood circulation in the gum tissue, provides better cell nutrition, which leads to rapid regeneration.

An experienced physician who possesses modern techniques of effective therapy, knows how to treat bleeding gums and can choose an effective therapy for each patient, taking into account his personal indications. However, the result depends not only on the professionalism of the doctors, but also to the same extent on the patient’s discipline – how responsibly and correctly he fulfills the dentist’s recommendations.

Effective remedies for bleeding gums: prevention

Dentist tips:

• 1
  Brush your teeth regularly. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, you must conduct thorough oral hygiene every morning and every evening, paying special attention to problem areas (chewing teeth, interdental spaces, back of the teeth).
• 2
  Choose the right brush and toothpaste. If there is a predisposition to bleeding, it is recommended to use a soft brush and a special paste, such as Edel + White Active Gum Protection, which will help maintain a healthy microflora in the oral cavity, strengthen the gums, and protect your teeth and gums from bacteria.
• 3
  Use hygiene aids for cleaning hard-to-reach places: dental floss, interdental brush.
• 4
  To rinse the mouth. Your dentist will recommend the correct rinse aid.
• 5
  Eat right and balanced. Food rich in vitamins, microelements (calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, etc.) is especially useful for teeth and gums. But carbonated drinks, sweets, flour products must be limited or completely excluded from the diet.
• 6
  Provide your teeth and gums with systematic dental care – regularly visit the dentist, carry out professional oral hygiene, follow the recommendations of the attending physician on the choice of hygiene and care products.

With such a problem as bleeding gums, treatment in dentistry is, as a rule, the result of a patient’s inattention to hygiene, nutrition, and his health. By following the recommendations of dentists, you can avoid gum disease. If the problem has already arisen, the gums have begun to bleed, do not try to self-medicate. This can only aggravate the situation and lead to serious complications. It is better to immediately contact the Amel Dental Clinic, which employs an experienced periodontist. He will help you determine the causes of bleeding and prescribe a comprehensive treatment.