There are several reasons why gums might bleed during brushing, including:
- Injury to the gum tissues – perhaps through a mouth ulcer or laceration caused by eating rough foods, or foods with sharp edges
- Increased sensitivity of the gum tissue; some medications and pregnancy may cause heightened sensitivity of the gums
- Using the wrong toothbrush – perhaps one that is too hard, or brushing with excessive force
- Gum disease – blood is often an early indicator of gingivitis, and may require a dentist’s intervention
- Other health conditions, such as anaemia
Gums that bleed may also be sore and look inflamed, which is a key indicator of the presence of gingivitis. Poor dental hygiene is the main cause of gingivitis, but if caught and treated quickly there are no lasting ill-effects from the condition.
Gingivitis is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. If allowed to build up, plaque then develops into a hard substance called tartar which can work its way underneath the gum-line, causing gums to recede or pull away from the teeth as it progresses into a more serious condition called periodontitis.
In most cases, a thorough professional cleaning of the teeth by a dental hygienist to remove all the build up of plaque and tartar from the teeth’s edges and around the gum line is enough to deal with the problem. However, in some cases it may be necessary for the dentist to use more aggressive treatments, especially if the problem is advanced.
Pockets that form underneath the gum line, or persistent bad breath may require the dentist to perform treatments such as root planing, where the dentist cleans below the gum line in order to remove traces of the offending material.
Good dental hygiene is key to prevention of the onset and spread of gingivitis. Bleeding gums could be an early warning that gingivitis is present. If you experience prolonged spells of bleeding gums, contact the San Antonio office of Drs. Bonner and Huriega at 210-616-0858 for an evaluation.
