Gum bleeding itself is not a disease in itself. Rather, the occurrence of bleeding gums is a widespread symptom, which can be an expression of various underlying diseases. In the majority of cases, the affected persons notice bleeding gums during or after brushing their teeth.
Strong rubbing movements of the toothbrush cause severe irritation of the already damaged gums, resulting in minor injuries and bleeding. In most cases a simple inflammation of the gums (lat. gingivitis) is the cause of bleeding gums.
The inflammatory processes are a direct result of irregular or simply unclean oral hygiene in most patients. Especially in places that are difficult to access (between the teeth or at the end of the rows of teeth), plaque is formed, bacteria colonize the teeth and plaque develops. The gums are attacked and irritated on the basis of food residues and the bacterial pathogens persisting in them. Gingivitis is also manifested by swollen, highly red gums.
Cause search
In addition, more serious diseases can also lead to bleeding gums. Especially inflammatory processes in the area of the periodontium can have long-term consequences. If an appropriate therapy is not carried out, there is a risk of gum recession and the loss of teeth that are actually perfectly healthy.
Should gum bleeding occur following a trauma (for example, an accident or fall), a fracture in the area of the bony jaw should be considered and a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. In addition, diseases of the tooth root can provoke bleeding of the gums. Since bleeding of the gums is only a symptom, the underlying disease must be diagnosed promptly. A visit to the dental practice is therefore unavoidable. Only on the basis of an extensive search for the cause can an ideal therapy be determined and the gum bleeding effectively treated.
Gum bleeding due to stress
Many patients notice increased gum bleeding, especially during or after particularly stressful phases of life. Of course, even in these cases there is a possibility that inadequate oral hygiene may cause the gums to bleed. In fact, inadequate oral hygiene is by far the most common cause of gum bleeding in these patients as well.
Nevertheless, the factor “stress” should not be completely ignored when looking for the cause. If the organism suffers from stress for a while, the tissue hormone cortisone is released. This hormone leads in the short term to a stimulation of all those organs that are needed to cope with potentially dangerous situations.
Thus, under stress, the heart rate is increased and breathing is enhanced. In addition, the organism reacts at the beginning of the stress reaction by temporarily stimulating the immune system. After a certain period of time, however, i.e. in the case of long-lasting stress, a cortisol-induced weakening of the immune system occurs.
The tissue hormone mediates a suppression of various immune cells, which are essential for the smooth running of the immune reaction. People who suffer from stress over a longer period of time are more susceptible to infections and chronic diseases. The periodontium and especially the gums also suffer from this situation.
Even with adequate oral hygiene, which includes daily cleaning of hard to reach areas, localized gum bleeding can occur. In patients who practice less careful oral hygiene, the weakened immune system due to stress can have devastating effects on the teeth and gums.
