Here Are the Common Causes for Bleeding Gums

If your gums are bleeding, it's crucial to find out why. While not all bleeding from the gums is a cause for urgent concern, it can be a symptom of a larger problem. Visiting a periodontist can help you identify the causes of your bleeding gums.

At Premier Periodontics, our team of periodontists specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases affecting the gums and teeth. Patients have the convenience of visiting one of our seven locations across Washington state, including Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, and Redmond, WA.

Keep reading to find out some of the common causes of bleeding gums.

What could be causing my gums to bleed?

There are many different causes of bleeding gums, and most can be addressed by your periodontist. At Premier Periodontics, our team specializes in gum health and is here to help you find the best solutions for your unique situation.

Some of the most common causes of bleeding gums include:

1. Brushing or flossing too hard

Most of the gum bleeding people experience occurs shortly after brushing and flossing. A toothbrush that's too hard or flossing that's too rough can irritate your gums. Light bleeding after flossing is very common, and if it subsides quickly, it's usually not a cause for immediate concern. Believe it or not, ensuring that you keep flossing every day helps a lot because it can help stave off the gum disease that makes your gums sensitive.

2. Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. Enflamed gums can be red, tender, and swollen after brushing and flossing and can be accompanied by bad breath. It's quite common, but it needs to be addressed with better oral hygiene (such as daily flossing) to attack plaque and tartar build-up since it can progress to periodontitis.

3. Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an advanced stage of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss, receding gums, bleeding gums, and pain when chewing. Untreated plaque and tartar allow bacteria to make their way beyond your gums and into your bones, causing deterioration that may eventually require surgery.

4. Poorly-fitting dental hardware

Your gums may bleed if you have poorly fitting dentures or faulty dental restorations. Periodontists can give you unique insight into how your dental hardware affects your gums.

5. Medications

Certain medications, such as blood thinners, can make gum bleeding more severe. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about side effects.

6. Pregnancy

While it's not typically talked about, gum bleeding during pregnancy is quite common. That's because hormonal changes can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque build-up, causing "pregnancy gingivitis."

7. Poor diet and vitamin deficiencies

While sugary foods can lead to cavities that let bacteria run rampant in your mouth, a diet lacking Vitamins C and K can also affect your gum health. Vitamin C provides your gums with collagen, and Vitamin K helps with blood clotting.

8. Other health issues and habits

Bleeding gums are common in people with certain health conditions, including diabetes (types 1 and 2), leukemia, thrombocytopenia, hemophilia, and more. Your treating physician or periodontist can give you pointers on how to deal with this side effect. Habits like tobacco use can also cause gums to bleed.

How can a periodontist help me with bleeding gums?

Bleeding gums are common, but it can be a sign of a health condition. It's best to get a professional opinion from a gum specialist like a periodontist to ensure you're using the best prevention. Periodontists can perform a perioscopy to see beneath the gums as well as scaling and root planing and laser gum therapy that can help treat gum disease in its early or late stages.

Get treatment for bleeding gums in Bellevue, WA and across the state

If your gums are bleeding profusely (whether due to an accident or an unknown cause) and you cannot get them to stop bleeding, you should seek emergency care. But most bleeding gums can be treated by one of the skilled periodontists at Premier Periodontics.

Schedule an appointment today at one of our seven locations across the state of Washington – Bellevue, Everett, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Olympia, and Redmond.