An alteration in oral health that can have different causes of different severity.
Sometimes the gums can bleed . Although it is not always a serious problem, this symptom may indicate that we are suffering from some type of oral condition.
On other, less serious occasions, it may simply be because we are brushing our teeth too aggressively, or with a toothbrush that is too hard. In any case, in today’s article we are going to learn in detail about the different causes of bleeding gums, their most frequent symptoms and how to solve this oral health problem.
Bleeding gums: what is it?
It is quite common in dentists’ offices to find this problem. Putting too much effort into dental cleaning can cause the brush to rub against the gums, causing irritation and even bleeding.
That the gums bleed can be a clear symptom that the tissue is inflamed, a situation that usually appears due to the accumulation of bacterial plaque. In more serious cases, there are several oral diseases that are directly related to the symptom of bleeding gums .
Causes
If not properly cleaned, this accumulating plaque can damage the gingival tissues . This can become a danger to the oral health of the affected person. Although this affectation is usually associated with poor dental hygiene habits, there are other causes that can also lead to bleeding gums, such as alcohol consumption, tobacco , hereditary factors, poor diet, for example.
Other causes of bleeding gums can be diabetes, some underlying diseases of the immunosuppressant type, hormonal alterations or even the fact of taking certain drugs, for example contraceptives, antiepileptics and others.
However, the most common cause of bleeding gums is poor oral hygiene . Not brushing properly leads to the accumulation of tartar between the teeth, which degrades and inflames the gums. This process can lead to gingivitis , which is a mild inflammation of the gums.
Gingivitis, if not treated when it appears, can worsen and lead to periodontitis. In this case, the gum tissue is irritated and undergoes a slow but constant degradation process, also affecting the teeth and the patient’s health, since the bacteria can spread to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Solutions and treatments
If we detect that after brushing or in any other situation our gums bleed, we should visit our trusted dentist . This professional will be able to inspect and diagnose the causes that are generating this problem. Early detection of bleeding gums can facilitate treatment.
Logically, there are a series of habits and natural remedies that help us strengthen our oral health. If you are a smoker, consider giving up this bad habit, since tobacco smoke irritates the gums and can be a cause of gingivitis and periodontitis.
Likewise, moderating alcohol consumption and having healthy eating habits , with the presence of fruits and vegetables, can be a great way to improve our general and oral health in particular. Reducing your intake of sugary foods is also a way to protect your tooth enamel and gums.
Prevention and oral hygiene
On the other hand, correct hygiene habits are essential to stop the advance of problems such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Using soft brushes and gentle brushing are also good habits that prevent bleeding gums .
Using dental floss daily, to remove all the plaque accumulated between the teeth, is another of the recommendations that dentists always make to people with a propensity to suffer from this type of oral health alterations.
Finally, we must not forget to visit the dentist regularly . The professional will be able to check our mouth and our teeth in search of signs of this and other diseases, in order to put a stop to it as soon as possible and help us in the prevention that we need.
Bibliographic references
- Armitage, Gary C. (1999). Development of a Classification System for Periodontal Diseases and Conditions. Annals of Periodontology.
- Kistler, James O.; Booth, Veronica; Bradshaw, David J.; Wade, William G.; Glogauer, Michael (2013). Bacterial Community Development in Experimental Gingivitis. PLoS ONE.
- Stoeken, Judith E.; Paraskevas, Spiros; Van Der Weijden, Godefridus A. (2007). The Long-Term Effect of a Mouthrinse Containing Essential Oils on Dental Plaque and Gingivitis: A Systematic Review. Journal of Periodontology.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
