If you experience bleeding gums when you brush your teeth or bite into an apple, for example, this is often a sign of gingivitis.
Gingivitis is caused by bacteria and food debris sitting undisturbed along the gum line for a long time. This creates an inflammatory condition in the gums as the body's immune system tries to shield the tissue from the bacteria.
However, gingivitis doesn't always show up as bleeding. It can also show up as swelling, redness, foul odor and soreness.
If left untreated, gingivitis can spread to the deeper tissues, causing permanent loss of the tooth's root canal and bone loss. In other words, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis.
How do you avoid bleeding gums?
If bacteria and food debris are removed daily by brushing thoroughly and using interdental brushes and/or floss, your gums can become healthy again and stop bleeding after a week or three. This is why you often hear dentists remind you to floss in addition to brushing your teeth.
Your two main weapons against periodontal disease are:
- Tooth brushing
This requires you to brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day. Preferably use a soft toothbrush that you angle at 45 degrees to your gums. Then massage your gums thoroughly with the toothbrush. This will remove accumulated bacteria and impurities. You can also remove plaque - a coating of bacteria - by brushing thoroughly and effectively.
- Dental floss
Floss 1-2 times a week. When flossing, it's important to know that the benefits will only be felt after a few weeks. Therefore, you shouldn't just floss once. If you floss for the first time, your gums will feel sore. It's also normal for your gums to bleed. However, it should not be painful. To floss correctly, you need to pass the floss between your teeth and then gently place it on either side of the gum line. This ensures that the bacteria is removed - both between the teeth and under the gums.
If a similar prevention for periodontal disease does not bring results and you still experience bleeding gums, you should make an appointment with your dental hygienist for an examination and possible cleaning.
Hormonal changes can also cause bleeding gums
Gingivitis can affect young, old and children. However, there are some groups that are more at risk than others. Hormonal changes increase the risk of bleeding gums. During pregnancy, some women will find that their gums bleed more than usual and that this often continues until they stop breastfeeding. It's important to take extra care to maintain healthy gums as much as possible so that the problem doesn't continue afterwards or develop into periodontal disease.
Women who are menstruating may also experience sore gums. In addition, some medications can lead to bleeding gums because they cause dry mouth. Dry mouth makes it more possible for bacteria to attach to the teeth. This increases the risk of gingivitis.
If you smoke, it's a good idea to check for gingivitis at the dentist. Smoking causes the blood vessels in the gums to contract. Smokers therefore almost never experience bleeding gums. As a smoker, however, this can be a major risk because undetected gingivitis can easily develop into periodontal disease.
Are there signs of gingivitis?
In the following cases, it may be a good idea to either examine your gums at the dentist or start treating the inflammation at home.
- You find that you have sore gums - especially when eating.
- Your gums often bleed when you brush your teeth.
- You floss very rarely.
- You are pregnant.
- You are a smoker.
Whether you have bleeding gums or not, it may be a good idea to have an examination. You are also welcome to contact us with questions or to learn more about your options at Tandliv.
FAQ - bleeding gums
Why do you get bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums typically occur due to poor oral hygiene leading to gingivitis. The build-up of plaque and bacteria along the gum line irritates the gums, causing them to become red, swollen and bleed easily. Other factors include smoking, poor nutrition, hormonal changes, diseases like diabetes and the use of certain medications.
Can snus cause bleeding gums?
Yes, you can get bleeding gums from snus. The use of snus can cause irritation and inflammation of the gums, which can lead to gum bleeding. In addition, snus increases the risk of gum disease and other oral diseases. It's important to maintain good oral hygiene and avoid tobacco products to protect gum health.
What can I do to avoid bleeding gums?
To avoid bleeding gums, you should follow good oral hygiene: brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush, clean between teeth with floss or interdental brushes daily, visit the dentist regularly, avoid tobacco products, eat a balanced diet, limit sugar intake and manage stress effectively. These habits will help keep your gums healthy and strong.
