Bleeding gums are a common problem. They may occur when people brush their teeth or floss their teeth, but it can also be a sign of an underlying issue.
Identifying the cause is crucial to determining the most appropriate treatment. Factors such as brushing too hard, trauma, pregnancy, gingivitis, and periodontal disease can all cause bleeding gums.
What is Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums is a symptom of gum disease that can occur in the early stages of gingivitis. This condition occurs when plaque along the gumline isn’t removed by brushing and flossing, leading to inflammation in the gums.
This inflammatory process eventually leads to periodontal disease. Thankfully, this is a reversible condition with proper dental care and treatment from a dentist.
However, bleeding gums can also be caused by a number of other factors. Stress, for example, can cause your body’s immune system to weaken and make it harder for the blood to clot properly.
In addition, a deficiency in vitamin C or K may make your gums bleed more easily. These vitamins are crucial for your body to heal itself and prevent bleeding gums.
If you’re suffering from a vitamin deficiency, talk to your doctor or a dental professional about how to improve your diet. A balanced diet containing fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other nutrients will help boost your oral health and reduce the risk of bleeding gums.
Lastly, flossing daily is one of the best ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This removes plaque and food particles that can be stuck in tight spaces between your teeth and gums.
Causes of Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums aren’t just annoying – they can also be a sign of a serious underlying health problem. It’s important to identify the cause of bleeding gums so you can get help.
The most common cause of bleeding gums is gingivitis. This inflammation of your gums is caused by plaque that gets stuck between your teeth and along the gum line. If you don’t clean your gums properly, plaque will harden into tartar and become a more advanced form of gum disease called periodontitis.
You can treat gingivitis by removing plaque, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist regularly. However, if gingivitis doesn’t clear up on its own, you may need to see your doctor for further evaluation.
Vitamin deficiencies can also lead to gum irritation and bleeding. Eating more vitamin C-rich foods like sweet potatoes, red peppers, and oranges can help prevent gum infections.
Stress is another common reason for gums to bleed. It weakens your immune system and makes it more difficult for your body to fight off bacteria and infection.
You can reduce your risk of bleeding gums by practicing proper oral hygiene, getting enough sleep, and drinking plenty of water. You can also visit your doctor for a thorough physical examination and blood work to find out if an underlying health condition is the culprit.
Home Remedies For Bleeding Gums
If you are suffering from bleeding gums, there are several home remedies that can help you. These remedies can be effective in treating the condition in the short-term and preventing it from coming back in the future.
The first step in the treatment of bleeding gums is to maintain good oral hygiene and avoid any other health issues that could be causing this problem. You can also increase your intake of vitamin C and vitamin K to fight against gum infections.
Another important step in the treatment of bleeding gums is reducing your stress level. Stress can lower your immune system and weaken your body’s ability to fight off bacteria.
It can also lead to gum disease, so it’s important to try and reduce your stress levels as much as possible.
Coconut oil is one of the best home remedies for bleeding gums because it can reduce inflammation in your gums and help fight off plaque. Simply swish it in your mouth once or twice daily to stop the bleeding.
Gargling with salt water is also a great home remedy for gum bleeding because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe your gums. You can make your own salt water at home by mixing a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargling with this solution for a few minutes.
Natural Ways To Help Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums can be a warning sign of a serious health problem, like gingivitis. But you can treat it with home remedies that can help bring down the inflammation and stop bleeding.
Besides, a healthy diet and regular visits to the dentist can help prevent the development of bleeding gums. You should also avoid smoking and stress because they can affect your oral health.
Lemon has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which may help in fighting infections that cause bleeding gums. Rinse your mouth with the juice of a fresh lemon regularly to reduce bleeding and inflammation.
Neem oil is rich in antioxidants and helps in boosting the immune system in your gums. It has also been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of bleeding gums, gingivitis and periodontitis.
Apple cider vinegar is also known to be beneficial for the treatment of bleeding gums due to bacterial and fungal infections. Its anti-inflammatory property helps to ease pain and swelling associated with gum problems (36).
Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help relieve the symptoms of bleeding gums. You can swish some coconut oil in your mouth for about 10 minutes to reduce the redness and swelling of your gums.
When to see a dentist
If you are having bleeding gums, it is very important to see a dentist. This is because it could be a sign of a serious issue that needs to be treated right away.
Bleeding gums are usually an indication that you are not doing your oral hygiene routine correctly. This is why it is so important to brush and floss twice a day as well as make sure you are using the right toothbrush with soft bristles.
When you are not properly brushing and flossing, you are leaving your gums vulnerable to a buildup of plaque and tartar. These substances cause inflammation and irritation of the gums.
This is called gingivitis. This is the earliest stage of gum disease, but it can be cured if you follow your dental care routine.
However, if left untreated, this early stage of gum disease will evolve into more aggressive periodontitis. This advanced form of gum disease causes inflammation, bone loss, and gum recession.
So, if you notice your gums are bleeding when you brush or floss, make an appointment to visit your dentist immediately. This is the best way to get the treatment you need to stop your bleeding and protect your dental health for life.
Can receding gums grow back?
Receding gums are a serious oral health concern. They expose more of the tooth than normal, which can lead to more damage and decay.
Healthy gums fit tightly around your teeth, holding them in place and protecting them from further decay. When the gum tissue pulls back from the tooth, it leaves small spaces for bacteria to build up and cause infection.
Gum disease is the most common reason for receding gums, but age can also play a factor. Despite good dental hygiene, some people’s gums may be more susceptible to recession than others.
If your gums are prone to receding, your dentist can recommend some treatments to reattach and protect your teeth from further damage. These include regenerative procedures like composite restoration or gum tissue grafting.
Scaling and root planing (SRP) – This procedure removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the surface of your tooth roots. Then, a dentist smoothes the roots to discourage more bacteria from building up.
Flap surgery – Your dentist may perform flap surgery to remove bacteria that’s deep under your gums and secure the gum tissue in place.
Gum graft surgery (GGS) is another option for more severe cases of receding gums. It involves taking a piece of healthy gum tissue from elsewhere in your mouth and surgically placing it over the exposed tooth roots. It not only reduces the appearance of gum recession, but it also protects your teeth and bones from further damage.
Conclusion
There are several home remedies for bleeding gums that can be effective in reducing inflammation and healing. Some of them include clove oil, salt water rinse, and turmeric. These home remedies will also help to fight the bacteria that cause bleeding gums.
Tea contains tannic acid and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help stop bleeding in the mouth and reduce the swelling. To use this remedy, soak a tea bag in hot water for about 10-15 minutes. Then, place the tea bag on your gums for a few minutes and leave it there until it cools. Do this a few times a day.
Milk has high amounts of calcium which strengthens your gums and can also stop the bleeding. The milk also contains anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce the inflammation and ease pain caused by bleeding gums. Drinking a cup of milk whenever you notice that your gums are starting to bleed is another great way to deal with bleeding gums.
Aside from the above home remedies, one of the most effective ways to combat bleeding gums is to make sure that you get enough vitamin C in your diet. This vitamin is essential for the health of your teeth and gums, and can help prevent a disease called scurvy.