causes of bleeding gums? 

Contents

 1 Causes and factors of bleeding gums

 1.1 Factors related to oral and dental hygiene

 1.2 Dental and oral problems

 1.2.1 Tooth decay

 1.2.2 Gingivitis

 1.2.3 Periodontitis

 1.2.4 Other problems

 1.3 Orthodontics and dentures

 1.4 Pregnancy

 1.5 Medicines

 1.6 Certain health conditions

 1.6.1 Deficiency of some vitamins

 1.6.2 Diabetes

 1.6.3 Infection

 1.6.4 Anemia

 1.6.5 Thrombocytopenia

 1.6.6 Bleeding disorders

 1.7 Other reasons

 2 tips for dealing with bleeding gums

Causes and factors of bleeding gums

The health of the gums is one of the important indicators of the health of the body, and there are many reasons behind the occurrence of bleeding gums. Bleeding gums is not only related to dental health, but may sometimes occur as a result of certain diseases; In this case, bleeding gums is one of the accompanying symptoms, so the gums should always be examined carefully and carefully, and despite the fact that bleeding gums is one of the most common dental problems, it is advised not to neglect it and to consult a dentist if it occurs, and the causes of bleeding gums and risk factors will be explained. leading to the following.

Oral and dental hygiene factors

 Bleeding gums in many cases are attributed to factors related to oral and dental hygiene, including the following:

 Begin using dental floss or a toothbrush after a break.

Not brushing or toothpaste enough, or as often as recommended by experts.

 Using the toothbrush incorrectly, or using a worn-out toothbrush, so that it is not able to clean the teeth effectively. The wrong or violent use of dental floss when cleaning, where the correct way is by gently pushing the floss down between the teeth, and encircling the sides of each tooth.

Dental and oral problems

 tooth decay

Bleeding gums appear as one of the symptoms of gum disease caused by bacteria that grow on the teeth. The presence of bacteria with different food residues leads to the formation of a sticky layer on the teeth; Specifically around the gums, this layer is called the dental plaque, and it is worth noting that this layer has a sticky texture, which contributes to keeping acids in contact with the teeth, and this may result in the breakdown of the enamel layer and the occurrence of tooth decay. Keeping the case of tooth decay untreated may result in several damages; Among them are periodontal diseases, which are divided into two types; The first is mild and is called gingivitis, and the second, more serious type is called periodontitis.

 Gingivitis

Gingivitis appears mostly due to poor oral hygiene, so the x-plaque forms around the gum line, which represents the area where the gums meet with the tooth, and this mainly causes gingivitis, where the accumulation of dental plaque causes irritation and superficial infection of the gums, and gingivitis is accompanied by many Symptoms, it is the most common cause of bleeding gums, in this case the person suffers from bleeding gums when brushing or flossing the teeth, and this condition causes a change in the pink color and firm texture of the gums, causing the person to suffer from swelling, receding, redness, irritation, and thinning of the gums, in addition to To the emergence of bad breath, and it is indicated that the patient does not feel pain at this stage, but the person may feel some pain when touching the gums, and it should be noted that the formation of dental plaque can be avoided by brushing the teeth daily gently using brush and floss, and the use of electric brushes may contribute In removing dental plaque more effectively compared to regular brushing, it is also recommended to undergo a dental cleaning in the doctor's office once every 6 months.

periodontitis

 Keeping the problem of gingivitis untreated may lead to the development of periodontitis, a serious infection that affects the gums and causes chronic inflammation in addition to the spacing and separation between the gums and the roots of the teeth, and the formation of a cavity filled with bacteria, dental plaque, and hardened dental plaques known as calculus. Tartar), and the condition may lead to damage and loss of tissue and bone supporting the affected tooth if the condition is left untreated and the deposits deepen in the cavity, so the tooth becomes loose and may fall out of its place, and it is worth noting that the patient does not feel pain during the initial stages of this condition, but may feel pain When touching the gums, redness, swelling of the gums, separation of the affected tooth, the appearance of a foul smell and a bad taste in the mouth, and the way the teeth adhere to each other may change when biting, and bleeding gums easily is a clear evidence of a problem with them.

Other problems

 Bleeding gums may be attributed to other dental diseases, including the following:

 Dry mouth:

 This condition is also known as dry mouth syndrome (Xerostomia), in which the sufferer suffers from not having enough saliva and moisture inside the mouth, which leads to increased bacterial growth and thus increases the risk of various gum diseases, and may result from bacterial infection reaching the tissues Gums are a group of health diseases, such as; Gum irritation and bleeding.

Desquamative gingivitis:

 It is a healthy condition in which the gums appear red, eroded, and ulcerated, and the sufferer suffers from a range of symptoms if the gums are damaged and destroyed, such as; Gums peeling, bleeding, and discomfort in the mouth area that worsens when consuming acidic and spicy foods and drinks, and the person with exudative gingivitis is usually diagnosed with certain cases; Of which:

 Erosive lichen planus, mucous membrane pemphigoid, or pemphigus vulgaris.

 Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis:

 Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, an infection of the gums caused by the excessive and abnormal growth of bacteria naturally present in the mouth, and there are a group of factors that may contribute to the development and emergence of the condition, such as; Poor oral hygiene, stress, psychological and physical stress, poor nutrition, and lack of sleep, and this type of infection results in suffering from a range of symptoms, such as; Severe pain, bleeding gums, bad breath, and it is worth noting that necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is not an infectious disease, and despite the prevalence of mild gum infections, acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is one of the rare cases today, and it is usually limited severe infection in people with weakened immune systems; Such as people with human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or people who use immunosuppressive drugs.

 Gingival enlargement: 

a condition of excessive growth in the gums, resulting in inflammation of the affected tissues, and consequently the appearance of the gums in a red and shiny color, and smooth texture, in addition to the ease of gum bleeding. Many cases.

 Orthodontics and dentures

Some cases may require the installation of orthodontics or dentures to overcome certain problems that people suffer from, and it is worth noting that the orthodontic parts or dentures give a large area of ​​​​the surface of the teeth, and this in itself makes the process of cleaning the teeth and the area under the gums difficult, and may result in This is the accumulation of bacteria and the formation of dental plaque, which can cause gum disease and gum bleeding.

 pregnancy

Gum problems during pregnancy are not associated with an increase in the formation and accumulation of dental plaque, but rather are caused by pregnancy hormones, as their high levels cause a poor response to dental plaque, and thus increase the susceptibility to gum problems. 

It is necessary to visit the dentist to examine the gums after birth, although most of these problems disappear after birth; However, there are a small number of women whose condition may worsen and develop to advanced levels of gum disease, which calls for an appropriate treatment plan to control it.

 Here are some of the gum problems that occur during pregnancy:

 Gingivitis, this problem usually appears during the second trimester of pregnancy.

 Periodontal disease. Undiagnosed or untreated conditions worsen during pregnancy, making chronic infections worse.

 Pyogenic granuloma, which is a localized enlargement of the gums, which causes the gums to bleed easily, and this condition requires cleaning the affected part in the doctor's office, and exterminating it in some rare cases.

pharmaceutical

The use of some medications may lead to bleeding gums or increase their risk as a side effect, especially if they are not used according to the doctor’s instructions, and accordingly the person should adhere to taking the medications in the doses and instructions recommended by the doctor, and in the event of bleeding gums as a side effect, it is necessary to consult a doctor Taking into account the lack of personal jurisprudence in this; The doctor alone is able to determine whether the case requires keeping the treatment as it is and following the instructions that reduce gum bleeding, or stop the medication, reduce its dose, or replace it with another. In general, we mention the most prominent medications that may cause bleeding gums or increase the risk of the following: :

 Aspirin, which causes bleeding gums, may be a common occurrence.

warfarin; which dilutes the blood.

 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

Calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine, verapamil, diltiazem, and nifedipine.

Cyclosporine.

Certain health conditions

Deficiency of some vitamins The following is a statement of the most prominent vitamins whose deficiency may cause bleeding gums:

Vitamin K deficiency:

 Vitamin K deficiency occurs if it is not obtained in sufficient quantities through the diet, or if the body is unable to absorb it well, and this results in bleeding problems; Including severe gum bleeding, and the reason for this is the importance of vitamin K in helping the proper clotting of blood, in addition; Vitamin K is a good bone mineral.

Severe Vitamin C deficiency:

The condition is also known as scurvy, and is a disease resulting from a severe lack of vitamin C, and results in a range of symptoms; Such as:

 Gum diseases, including bleeding gums, general weakness, anemia, and skin bleeding, and it is worth noting that this disease has become rare today.

 diabetes

 Diabetes may lead to a weakening of the mouth's ability to kill germs, and the higher the blood sugar levels due to diabetes; The recovery process in the body has become more difficult, which means an increased risk of infection and a worsening of the condition, including gum disease. Therefore, bleeding or swollen gums can be considered a sign of the risk of both types of diabetes. the first and the second.

 infection

Gingivitis may result as one of the symptoms associated with some forms of viral or bacterial infection; Whether those that affect the teeth, gums, or mouth only, or other systemic types at the level of the body, examples of this are the following:

 Infection with the herpes simplex virus:

Infection with the herpes simplex virus leads to the emergence of a group of symptoms; Of which:

 Severe pain, pain in the oral mucosa, and bleeding gums if damage has reached them.

HIV infection:

 Its infection leads to a disorder of the immune system, and an increased risk of developing various forms of infection and other health problems; Including dental problems such as bleeding gums.

Anemia

 Anemia is defined as a state of deficiency in the number of red blood cells present in the blood, and it has many types; Including: Pernicious anemia caused by the body's poor absorption of vitamin B12, which usually causes bleeding gums.

 thrombocytopenia

 Thrombocytopenia is caused by insufficient numbers of platelets to cause blood clotting, which means bleeding in different areas of the body, including the gums; A person with thrombocytopenia may experience bleeding gums during brushing, and in these cases the bleeding does not stop on its own.

 Bleeding disorders

 Various bleeding disorders are caused by the inability of blood to clot properly, and platelet disorders are the most common cause of their occurrence, which in turn is considered an acquired, not hereditary, condition. Hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease, caused by the absence of some clotting factors in the blood, are examples of bleeding disorders that are genetically transmitted in most of their cases, bearing in mind that some rare cases are Non-hereditary, as the body in later stages of life creates antibodies that attack the natural blood clotting factors present in the body. In general, a person with bleeding disorders suffers from a set of symptoms, such as; Gums bleeding and bruises appear easily. The following are the most important bleeding disorders with a little explanation:

Hereditary hemorrhage:

 It is the most common hereditary bleeding disorder, although it is rare, and the incidence of it is higher in males compared to females.

 Von Willebrand disease:

 It is a genetic disease that is more common than hereditary hemorrhagic disease, and it occurs due to disorders in clotting proteins, and it affects both males and females alike.

 Factor V deficiency:

 Factor V deficiency, the sufferer suffers from the previously mentioned symptoms in addition to bleeding under the surface of the skin, and nosebleeds.

other reasons

Here are some of the causes of bleeding gums:

Oral cancer; It appears in the form of a painless rash on the surface of the gums, the inner part of the cheek, or on the tongue, and leads to bleeding gums. leukemia; Or what is known as leukemia, which leads to bleeding gums as a result of a lack of platelets and the body's production of immature or effective white blood cells, and this condition is also accompanied by a group of other symptoms; Such as: enlargement of the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes.

stress and psychological pressure; This contributes to bleeding gums in two ways; The first by causing gingivitis, making it more vulnerable and susceptible to shock and harm, and the second by suppressing the body's immunity, which supports the development of bacterial infection and inhibits normal blood clotting processes. Having some other health problems, such as; Lupus erythematosus.

 Tips to deal with bleeding gums

 Gum disease is a common condition, and its symptoms can be alleviated, prevented, and diseases that cause bleeding gums to be avoided by adopting a healthy lifestyle, and following a set of tips we mention as follows:

 Clean your teeth carefully and carefully at least twice a day, and use dental floss on a daily basis. Replace your old toothbrush with a new one once every 3 or 4 months.

visit the dentist periodically; This helps to detect gingivitis at an early stage, making it easier to treat and control, and it is also recommended to see a specialist for periodic dental cleaning in order to remove the layers of tartar and dental plaque accumulated on the teeth.

 Regularly reviewing the general practitioner to check on the general health and to detect the presence of any other health problems that may contribute to gum problems; as diabetes.

 Quit smoking and discuss the best ways to achieve this with your doctor.

Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and reduce consumption of both processed foods and foods with added sugars.