Gum bleeding occurs when brushing your teeth or chewing hard food. The reason may be mechanical damage to the gums, but also inflammation or periodontitis. There are also other very serious causes of bleeding gums such as liver disease, diabetes or anemia. Check what other causes of bleeding gums can be.
Bleedingzgums , like other types of bleeding, is classified as a blood clotting disorder. Always inform your doctor about this ailment. Treatment of the cause of bleeding should be de alt with by an appropriate specialist - not always a dentist.
Anemia may cause bleeding gums
Anemia can be caused by iron deficiency caused by poor nutrition, as well as the body's production of too little platelets, clotting disorders, internal bleeding, and even cancerous blood diseases such as leukemia.
- Our advice
Regardless of the cause of anemia, any form of anemia requires prompt consultation with a physician. A morphology is required and a fecal occult blood test is required. Each form of anemia can be dangerous to life.
Diabetes may be manifested by bleeding gums
Although diabetics are more likely to develop thrush, periodontal abscess or yeast infections. Characteristic for diabetes is a very resistant response of the body to the treatment of oral diseases.
- Our advice
Test your blood sugar. If it exceeds 125 mg%, ask your doctor for further diagnosis to determine the cause of high blood glucose levels. Take care of your oral hygiene and follow a he althy diet. If necessary, take your medications regularly and as directed by your doctor.
Vitamin deficiency can cause bleeding gums
When the gums begin to bleed, it can be assumed that the body lacks vitamin C and K. Vitamin C deficiency is usually associated with improper nutrition, lack of vegetables and fruit in the diet. The cause of vitamin K deficiency may be sterilization of the gastrointestinal tract, caused by a long antibiotic treatment (vitamin K is produced in the large intestine). Vitamin K malabsorptionit can also be caused by the inhibition of the outflow of bile.
- Our advice
Include foods rich in vitamin K (e.g. liver, soybeans, alfalfa, tomatoes, spinach, Italian cabbage) and vitamin C (e.g. citrus and berries, sauerkraut, apples, broccoli) in your diet , kiwi, paprika).
Liver disease often causes bleeding gums
Gingival bleeding is common especially in acute inflammation and cirrhosis of the liver. This is due to a platelet dysfunction. However, impairment affects all mucous membranes, which are particularly sensitive to damage. Bleeding is therefore not limited to the oral mucosa.
- Our advice
Self-medications won't help, specialist treatment is necessary.
Genetic predisposition as a cause of bleeding gums
According to statistics, approx. 35 percent humans are born with a greater tendency to develop periodontal disease. - Periodontitis is not a matter of one gene, but it is known that the owners of genes responsible for the increased production of interleukin-1, a protein involved in inflammatory reactions, may be more likely to develop periodontitis. Therefore, it is not the disease that is hereditary, but the susceptibility to its development - explains the drug. stom. Monika Stachowicz from the Center for the Treatment and Prevention of Periodontitis in Warsaw. Genetic tests examining our DNA, e.g. obtained from saliva, inform about the presence of certain bacterial strains and can be a significant support for patients in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases.
Gum bleeding may be a side effect of certain medications
Some medications affect blood flow or reduce saliva production, with a side effect of dry mouth. This makes the gums more vulnerable to bacterial attack.
Bleeding may be a side effect of taking drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy, asthma, hypertension, allergies, cancer, and venous blood clots. It can also be induced by steroids, hormonal contraceptives and other hormonal preparations, and high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Without an adequate amount of saliva, periodontal tissues are more prone to irritation and inflammation, such as swelling and bleeding of the gums. Dry mouth, or xerostomia, can be caused by up to 400 medications, including antihistamines, antidepressants, drugs to treat Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, antiemetics and anti-nausea drugs, some drugs for high blood pressure or heart disease. Therefore, specialists advise either a changemedications or remedial methods - when using this type of medication, it is always worth having a bottle of water with you to moisturize the oral mucosa and chewing gum with xylitol, which stimulates the production of saliva. In addition, some medications can also cause drug-induced gingival hyperplasia manifested by, inter alia, soreness, redness, and swelling of the gums that overlap the teeth. This ailment can also result in periodontitis.
- Our advice
Contact the attending physician. Perhaps he will change your medications or modify your current doses.
Gum bleeding may occur during pregnancy
The hormonal swing that pregnancy provides a woman with is another risk factor for inflammation and bleeding of the gums. It is estimated that up to half of all pregnant women may struggle with gestational gingivitis, which most often occurs between 2 and 8 months of pregnancy. The gingival tissues are then sensitive to touch, overgrown, sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, and may bleed when brushing and flossing. - The cause is directly from the hormones, especially the influence of progesterone. Its increased amount increases the blood supply to the gums, which become swollen and overgrown. In addition, it enhances the gums' response to the presence of bacteria deposited in the plaque. In addition, the increased secretion of estrogens causes an increased susceptibility to injuries of the oral mucosa - says the expert.
- Our advice
Problems usually pass after childbirth, but it is worth monitoring their condition during pregnancy, because untreated inflammation can result in dangerous complications for the he alth of the mother and the fetus. If untreated, advanced gum disease can lead to pre-eclampsia, premature birth, or low birth weight. - Greater susceptibility to gum infections during pregnancy requires special care for oral hygiene. Remember to wash them regularly with a brush with soft bristles and floss. Also important are dental checkups and the removal of tartar, which is a major risk factor for gingivitis and bleeding. Pregnancy can exacerbate symptoms and aggravate the disease, so let's be double vigilant - says the specialist.
Bleeding gums - the most common cause of periodontitis
- Gum bleeding is never normal, even when the teeth are thoroughly brushed. We can compare this to the bleeding of the scalp while washing the hair. The most common cause of gum bleeding, apart from mechanical injuries, is periodontitis, says the drug. stom. Monika Stachowicz.
Paradontosis is an infectious infectionbacterial, which attacks the gums and surrounding tissues. If left untreated, it damages the gums, causes bone loss, as well as mobility and loss of teeth. It is usually caused by poor oral hygiene and unhe althy habits. The bacterial biofilm that is not removed from the teeth grows and turns into plaque, then tartar, which presses and irritates the periodontal tissues. As a result, it leads to chronic inflammation of the gums. The longer the inflammation persists, the greater the risk of developing systemic diseases, from allergy to cancer.
Bleeding gums - causes. Poor oral hygiene
Inadequate oral hygiene is, in other words, irregular or inaccurate brushing and flossing. As a result, plaque is formed and the gums are swollen and bleed. Research shows that this process is quite fast - he althy gums can become inflamed within 24-36 hours after careless brushing.
- Our advice
- The best way to avoid problems is to do your home oral hygiene and have regular dental check-ups. It is also worth getting some helpful accessories, e.g. an electric toothbrush, the brushing technique of which does not require as much practice as a manual toothbrush, antibacterial mouthwashes and dental floss - the dentist advises.
Bleeding gums - causes. Cigarettes
According to studies, smokers are much more likely to develop gingivitis and periodontitis, and during the disease itself, nicotine can make its treatment difficult and cause many complications. The substances contained in cigarettes cause inflammation, reduce the body's immune response, make the gums less supplied with blood, make irritation heal more slowly, and smoking increases dry mouth and the amount of plaque build-up. - When bacteria settle between the teeth and gums, they can enter the bloodstream through the wounds, from where they penetrate all the organs and tissues of the body. This can cause serious he alth consequences, including for the heart and blood vessels, which can even result in a heart attack or a stroke.
Gum bleeding may be caused by a poor diet
A menu full of processed foods is not only bad for our figure, but also for our gums. Specialists advise you to consume at least 6-8 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, take care of an adequate supply of vitamin D and C, calcium, magnesium and omega acids contained in, among others, in fish that show anti-inflammatory effects. Dietis a very important element of a properly functioning immune system and thus positively influences the good condition of soft tissues, which are most susceptible to infections.
Gum bleeding and stress
The constant state of emotional tension and anxiety hinders the immune system's ability to defend itself against gum disease. Therefore, stress can affect the condition of our gums - this is what says, among others the American Academy of General Dentistry. Stress also causes blood vessels to contract and hampers the ability to heal wounds.
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