Bleeding gums

Introduction

Gum bleeding is generally one of the most common symptoms in dentistry. On average, every third patient over 40 suffers from occasional bleeding of the gums. Since bleeding, regardless of its extent, type and location, is widely considered a warning sign, it is highly recommended that a dentist be consulted if gum bleeding occurs frequently. While gum bleeding can have a variety of causes, the treatment is quite similar for almost all reasons.

Causes of gum bleeding

If a reddish discoloration of the toothpaste foam occurs when brushing the teeth, it is usually due to inflamed gums, gingivitis, or even periodontitis with pocket formation. The causes of such an inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) can be various. In the majority of patients, however, it is caused by bacterial plaque and thus by irregular or poorly executed oral hygiene.

Plaque is a tough bio-film, which consists mainly of waste products of bacterial metabolism and food residues. This plaque adheres to the surface of the teeth and, if not removed, can in the long term even penetrate below the gumline. Once there, the deposits settle in the area of the tooth root, causing inflammatory processes and deep gum pockets.

Vitamin C deficiency in the course of malnutrition can also lead to gum bleeding. The first symptom of gingivitis is the characteristic bleeding of the gums. Unlike inflammation of the periodontium (periodontitis), gingivitis is an isolated disease that does not involve other structures within the oral cavity and heals without permanent damage after treatment.

However, if suitable treatment is not carried out, pure gingivitis with bleeding gums can develop into periodontitis. Inflammations in the area of the gums are generally quickly recognized. The gums are discolored red in contrast to the normal pink coloration.

In such cases even a small irritation of the gums with a toothbrush is enough to cause bleeding. If you neglect oral hygiene to avoid bleeding, you start a vicious circle, because then the bacterial plaque multiplies; the actual cause of the gum inflammation and the inflammation and bleeding tendency increases. But also the clumsy use of dental floss or dental sticks can cause injuries to the gums in the interdental space, which then lead to bleeding.

Excessive tartar build-up also leads to inflammation of the gums, as its rough surface promotes the growth of plaque. The HIV virus triggers a number of typical symptoms, although at first these often resemble flu. Fever, muscle and headaches, listlessness and night shit are the main symptoms.

Only later, when the immune system is already more severely weakened, do changes also occur in the oral cavity. These are often fungal colonization or gum disease. These can also be accompanied by bleeding gums.

However, it is not a really meaningful sign that the HIV infection is definitely present. Much more often, bleeding gums is only a simple complication of gingivitis, the inflammation of the gums. Many people know the problem of bleeding gums.

It seems to affect young women who are undergoing a hormonal change due to pregnancy. The gums initially swell, forming pregnancy gingivitis, which after some time begins to bleed at the slightest touch. Straight dental floss and interdental brushes trigger the bleeding.

Under no circumstances should you stop brushing your teeth because the right technique is important. Circular movements can do more harm than good here. It is much better to wipe from red to white, i.e. starting from the gums, into real teeth.

A toothbrush with soft bristles can be used for this purpose, as these are less irritating to the gums. The dentist can and should be consulted if the bleeding does not disappear at all or if there is additional pain. Otherwise, serious consequences such as periodontitis are inevitable.It is important to inform the dentist about the pregnancy in order to avoid unnecessary x-rays.

As already described, the pregnancy-related hormonal changes can lead to a loosening of tissue and thus trigger gingivitis. Since this hormonal change takes place at the very beginning of the pregnancy, bleeding gums is mainly a complication of the first three months. If there are no other typical symptoms and the bleeding occurs suddenly without any other apparent cause, it is quite possible that pregnancy will be discovered.

Gum bleeding is therefore one of the typical first signs, but is not necessarily associated with pregnancy. If there is a lack of trace elements or vitamins, the body often cannot adequately compensate for this. A wide variety of illnesses are triggered by missing, but necessary, building blocks.

The vitamin C deficiency known by the name scurvy very often causes gum bleeding. This however rather with a very strong lack, which occurs extremely rarely by the today’s nutrition. Also the Vitamin D deficiency favors the risk of periodontosis and thus increases the probability of gum bleeding.

Finally, iron deficiency should be mentioned. It causes changes in the oral mucosa and bleeding gums. Although a lack of oral hygiene and the resulting inflammatory processes in the area of the gums (lat.

Gingiva) are still considered the main cause of gum bleeding, it has been known for several years that a number of other reasons also promote the development of inflammation in the oral cavity. Tobacco consumption, increased breathing through the mouth (oral respiration) and untreated carious defects are also among the factors that can cause gum bleeding. Furthermore, life partners with gum inflammation or inflammatory processes in the area of the periodontium are a risk factor.

Bleeding in the oral cavity can also have completely different causes. Patients who constantly have to take blood-thinning medication, such as Marcumar, Heparin, can also suffer from bleeding gums. With them an important component of blood clotting, vitamin K, is inhibited.

This also applies to patients who are given this medicine, which reduces the number of platelets, which are also an important factor in blood clotting. Of course, hemophiliacs are at great risk of bleeding in the oral cavity if they have been injured. You must be particularly careful with oral hygiene.

Pointed toothpicks, as they are offered in some places, can cause injuries to the gums. Blood diseases like leukemia can also cause bleeding gums. Hyperthyroidism can also sometimes be associated with bleeding gums.

Furthermore, extensive studies have shown that people suffering from so-called diabetes also have an increased risk of gum inflammation. This also results in a higher probability of gum bleeding. On average, about one in two people develop gingivitis with bleeding gums at least once during their lifetime.

In addition, a high level of stress is considered a risk factor for the occurrence of inflammatory processes of the gums and/or the periodontium. This fact can be explained by the stress-induced inhibition of the immune system and the resulting immune deficiency. Science now even assumes that a genetic predisposition is a decisive risk factor.