Why Are My Gums Bleeding?

Information You Should Know About Bleeding Gums

Gums are the pink, spongy part of our mouths and they are essential for holding teeth in place and keeping them safe and protected. Gums adhere to the teeth and help to create a seal to prevent bacteria from getting in and to prevent the spreading of infections to the root of the tooth and the jaw bone. Even though gums are so essential to our oral health, they do decay and begin to breakdown over time, causing them to recess and leave the teeth vulnerable to decay and possible infections.

Why Do Gums Bleed?

When gums begin bleeding, it can be an indicator of many different problems. Bleeding gums are usually due to some kind of injury, inflammation, or infection in the area. When an inflammation or infection occurs, dental professionals usually refer to it as gingivitis and can be indicated by a red line of blood along the gum line near the teeth. Bleeding over a short term is usually not a cause for concern, but bleeding over a longer period should be addressed by a dental professional to find the problem.

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is generally caused by plaque buildup on the teeth – this disease attacks the gums, periodontal ligaments, and the tooth sockets, causing the gums to bleed and become inflamed and painful. When gingivitis is left untreated, it can lead to periodontitis, which is a much more serious form of gum disease. Periodontitis is a condition that is more long term, and many people do not realize they even have it for a long period of time. When left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss.

Preventing Bleeding Gums

Many people believe the harder they brush, the more plaque they will remove from their teeth. In reality, this can damage the gums and cause them to bleed as well as causing pain. Brushing gently and properly along the gum line at least twice a day and between meals whenever possible is the best way to prevent bleeding gums and gingivitis. Aside from proper oral hygiene, experts say that avoiding alcohol and aspirin, which has the ability to stop the blood from clotting properly.

Bleeding gums are something that should be taken very seriously – should bleeding gums persist, it is important to see a dental professional right away. Since bleeding gums are often an indication of another oral issue, uncovering the problem sooner rather than later is key to good oral health.

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*Photo Courtesy of fotologic via Creative Commons License