Bleeding Gums
In this section, we will cover:
- Why do my gums bleed?
- How can I prevent or treat bleeding gums at home?
- Should I see my dentist or doctor?
Why do my gums bleed?
Gum disease is the most common cause of bleeding gums, or seeing blood when you spit out your toothpaste. This is a common condition in which the gums become inflamed due to a build up of plaque and bacteria over time. You can find out more about gum disease here.
Other less common causes include:
- Dental trauma - see here
- Trauma to the gum
- from hard/sharp food such as crisps
- overly vigorous toothbrushing - Vitamin deficiencies
- vitamin C is important in producing collagen. A lack of vitamin C and collagen makes blood vessels weak and more prone to rupture so we bleed and bruise more easily.
- vitamin K is important in producing the proteins needed for blood clotting. Without these proteins, our body cannot form a stable blood clot resulting in excessive bleeding and bruising. - Blood thinning medication
- Bleeding problems
- vitamin K deficiency
- clotting factor deficiencies (haemophilia)
- platelet problems: platelets play an important role in helping our blood to clot so when there are not enough of them, we bleed and bruise more easily. - Leukaemia
This is a type of blood cancer in which there is excessive production of white blood cells and reduced red blood cells and platelets.
How can I prevent or treat bleeding gums at home?
Improve your oral hygiene
Poor oral hygiene is the most likely reason for bleeding gums so you should:
- Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes
- Use an electric toothbrush to remove the most plaque
- Clean in between your teeth once a day with floss or interdental brushes. A normal toothbrush cannot reach the surfaces in between the teeth
Balanced diet: vitamin C
Foods rich in vitamin C include:
- citrus fruits
- potatoes
- tomatoes
- brocolli
Balanced diet: vitamin K
Foods rich in vitamin K include:
- green leafy vegetables:
- spinach
- brocolli
- kale
- lettuce - olive oil
If your gums are bleeding due to trauma from food or toothbrushing, this should self-resolve within 2-3 days and doesn't usually need a visit to your dentist.
Should I see my dentist or doctor?
You should see your dentist for:
- Checking for gum disease
As I mentioned, gum disease is the most common cause of bleeding gums. Your dentist will check your teeth and gums for any signs of gum disease. They may also take some xrays to monitor the level of the bone which holds your tooth in place. - Scale and polish
If your gums are bleeding to a build up of plaque and calculus/tartar, your dentist or hygienist can professionally clean these deposits from your teeth. - Oral hygiene advice
Gum disease occurs when plaque remains on your teeth if you don't brush and floss properly. Your dentist or hygienist can discuss your toothbrushing technique with you and give you advice on which hygiene products you can use to clean in between your teeth more effectively. This will help to prevent and treat gum disease. - Dental trauma
If you have knocked your tooth, this can cause the gum to bleed even if the tooth doesn't seem to have moved or become loose. You should see your dentist so they can monitor the health of the tooth over the next few weeks and months.
If your dentist cannot find a dental cause for your bleeding gums, you should see your doctor. They will be able to take some blood tests to check for and treat:
- vitamin deficiencies
- bleeding problems
- leukaemia