East York’s Guide to Understanding the Causes of Bleeding Gums and How to Stop Them

Failure to floss or care for your teeth

If you are not brushing and flossing your teeth consistently, you are immediately putting your oral health at risk. Before they bleed, you could experience swollen gums or a certain level of discomfort from them. 

Poor brushing or flossing technique

Delicate tissue forms your gums, so brushing with excess force can affect them for the worse. Toothbrushes with medium or hard bristles often impact the enamel on your teeth and cause bleeding gums. And ensure that you are gently flossing your teeth, since forcing the floss between your teeth will only increase the likelihood of bleeding gums. 

Gum disease

The majority of dental patients with gum disease have the less serious kind, which is gingivitis, but some encounter the much more severe form, periodontitis. When you lack proper dental hygiene, you allow bacteria in the mouth to form plaque on the teeth, which then may produce inflamed gums. Afterward, you may notice your gums being red, swollen, or bleeding. Periodontitis weakens the gums and bones that secure the teeth in place, as bacteria on the teeth release toxic substances that infect your gums. Speak to our dentists at Curity Dental Care if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: alterations in how your teeth fit together during a biting motion; changes in the fit of your partial dentures; gums that tend to bleed when you brush your teeth or after the process is complete; loose or shifting teeth; chronic bad breath or a poor taste within the mouth; receding gums; red, swollen, or tender gums. 

Hereditary

Bleeding gums can be a genetic issue that runs in the family. Typically, it will begin as gingivitis, with swollen and tender gums that could bleed as you brush. Untreated, it will more than likely escalate into periodontitis and perhaps tooth loss. 

Medical issue

Bleeding gums can be an indicator of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, a disease that leaves your mouth in a weaker state. As a result, it is less effective at fighting off germs and you become more prone to infections, such as gum disease. Diabetes elevates your blood sugar levels, making it increasingly difficult for your body to heal, and that can worsen gum disease. Bleeding gums can also be a sign of leukemia (blood platelets work to cease bleeding and leukemia lowers your platelet count, which makes it tougher for bleeding to stop in various parts of your body, like the gums), thrombocytopenia (also causes a low platelet count), and hemophilia or von Willebrand disease (both of these conditions result in the improper clotting of your blood, which may lead to bleeding gums). 

Canker sores

Bleeding gums can also be the aftermath of canker sores, or mouth ulcers, which can develop anywhere within the mouth. These sores can be experienced in a single area at a time or throughout your mouth, appearing with a whitish center surrounded by red edges. 

Tobacco products

Cigarettes and various other tobacco products are capable of impacting your gum health. You might notice sensitive gums, bleeding gums, or uncomfortable sores. Patients who smoke are far more likely to develop gum disease at some point. 

Chemotherapy

A side effect of chemotherapy can be bleeding gums, with many patients experiencing stomatitis when undergoing cancer treatment. Stomatitis results in painful sores and ulcers throughout the mouth, including your gums. 

Hormones

Some women experience gum issues during puberty, menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy. Increased hormones during puberty can enhance blood flow to the gums, which can leave them red, swollen, or bleeding. Women with menstrual gingivitis are more likely to have their gums bleed just before each menstrual period, while pregnancy gingivitis usually begins in the second or third month of pregnancy, continuing through the eighth month and causing bleeding gums. Birth control products can produce similar gum issues and some women progressing through menopause might see their gums become highly dry and sore, a state that makes them more likely to bleed. 

What Happens If I Ignore My Bleeding Gums? 

Like any oral health concern, neglecting bleeding gums will only further deteriorate the issue and potentially create more worrying symptoms within your mouth or body. Healthy gums are vital to your dental health and your entire well-being, so see to it that you are not ignoring the warning signs when they appear. 

Can the Team at Curity Dental Care Reverse or Heal Bleeding Gums? 

Yes, it is never too late to begin properly caring for your gums, but the key is to treat it when you are experiencing gingivitis or something less severe. Many dental patients with gingivitis do not experience discomfort when inflammation occurs. Gingivitis, when caught and treated early, can be eliminated if you brush your teeth twice per day, floss daily, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash as well, and see one of our dentists routinely. Should your gingivitis evolve into periodontitis, then it becomes more challenging to treat because it is a long-term gum condition that directly impacts the tissue and bone that support your teeth. 

How to Properly Care for Your Teeth

These are some of our expert tips from our dentists, hygienists, and dental care team:

• Brush your teeth twice per day: using a toothbrush with soft nylon bristles, brush gently, with circular motions to massage and clean your teeth and gums. A back-and-forth motion can irritate your gums and cause them to bleed. 
• Floss every day: requiring only a few minutes of your time, flossing is perhaps the most crucial step in avoiding gum issues now and in the long term. 
• Rinse with mouthwash constantly: add a daily mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine, specifically an antiseptic one that kills bacteria. 
• Eat a nutritious diet: stick to a balanced diet, with an abundance of vitamin C and calcium, because it could lessen the likelihood of gum issues. 
• Drinks lots of water: whether it is after a meal or not, drinking water is beneficial because it washes food from your teeth and effectively reduces the possibility of bacteria forming plaque. 
• Avoid tobacco products: do your best to quit smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products. 
• Monitor what you eat: in certain cases, dental patients with gum issues experience discomfort when eating foods and beverages that are intensely hot or cold. If you happen to be one of those patients, then opt for lukewarm or cool foods and beverages. 
• Try to relax: higher stress levels make your body more vulnerable to inflammation, which can extend to your gums.

When Should You Contact Our Dentists in East York to Treat Your Bleeding Gums?

At Curity Dental Care, we understand the concern that comes with bleeding gums. If you're experiencing this issue, it's crucial to recognize the signs that indicate a visit to the dentist is necessary. Persistent bleeding gums, especially during brushing or flossing, could be a sign of gum disease, also known as gingivitis. Other symptoms such as redness, swelling, or tenderness of the gums should not be ignored. Additionally, if your gums bleed frequently or excessively, it might be an indication of a more serious underlying health condition.

Seeking prompt dental attention is essential in identifying the root cause of your bleeding gums. Our experienced team located in East York, Ontario at Victoria Ave and Eglinton Ave is here to provide personalized care, thorough examinations, and effective treatments to address your concerns and restore your oral health. If you schedule a checkup twice every year and follow ideal oral hygiene habits at home, your gums will remain in great condition. Call our team at (416) 755-0151 to schedule your next appointment. Come visit our dentists at Curity Dental Care, where we can provide you with thorough cleanings that will help prevent bleeding gums in the future.

Don't delay – let us help you achieve a healthy, confident smile!