What Causes Bleeding Gums?

Posted February 26, 2018.

Our dentist and dental team greatly emphasize the importance of taking proper care of your teeth and gums with daily brushing and flossing habits. Your gums need to stay in good health in order to cushion and support the teeth. They are also a reliable indicator of the status of your general health to help you know if you are suffering from any health issues. If you have bleeding gums, there could be many causes, and our team is happy to help you pinpoint the source.

One of the main causes of bleeding gums is dental plaque, the bacterial film that inflames and irritates gum tissue, leading to an early stage of gum disease called gingivitis that is known to result in bleeding gums. However, there are several factors that cause the gums to bleed easily, including:

• Aggressive brushing: When you brush too hard, you can irritate your gum tissue. We encourage you to use gentle, circular motions with a soft-bristled toothbrush instead of sawing back and forth across your teeth.
• Vitamin deficiency: A lack of essential vitamins such as C and K in the body can cause bloody gums.
• Anemia: Anemic patients are deficient in red blood cells or hemoglobin as a result of too little iron in their diet.
• Medication: Some medications that are blood thinners or regulate blood pressure can inflame the gums and make them bleed easily.
• Smoking: Tobacco produces toxins that cause dry mouth and irritate the gums.
• Hormones: If you are undergoing pregnancy or menstruation, you can experience hormonal spikes that disrupt your mouth’s chemical balance and impact the gum tissue.
• Infection: Condition such as the serious gum infection periodontitis can weaken the bone structure below your teeth and heighten your risk of stroke and heart attack.

If you frequently experience bleeding gums, we encourage you to contact Sachs Family Dental at 801-225-4701 to speak with Dr. Steven Sachs about effective periodontal care in Orem, Utah.