^

Health

Bleeding gums

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Bleeding gums are often detected when brushing teeth. This symptom indicates the presence of a disease. It is quite possible that it appeared against the background of severe mechanical damage to the mucous membrane. In rare cases, this indicates the presence of serious diseases. If the gums bleed for a long time, it is worth looking for an answer to the problem. Without due attention, serious consequences may develop.

trusted-source[ 1 ]

Causes of bleeding gums

The reasons are rooted in the presence of problems in the body. So, everything happens due to some basic factors. First of all, we are talking about the wrong choice of toothpastes, floss and mouthwash. No matter how strange and absurd it may sound, but not all people brush their teeth incorrectly. A negligent attitude to your own health is fraught with serious consequences. A too hard toothbrush can easily damage your gums. Incorrect use of dental floss causes a similar effect. Therefore, it is worth choosing not only a toothbrush, but also a paste.

Often the cause of its appearance is formed tartar. The presence of this problem is the most common cause of gum problems. The main amount of microbes is deposited at the base of the teeth. A person does not see this plaque, he notices the problem only when bleeding occurs.

Hormonal imbalances often lead to problems with teeth and gums. Hormonal imbalances also affect the functioning of the oral cavity. Excessive bleeding mainly affects teenagers, women approaching menopause and older people.

The lack of necessary elements in the body leads to the problem. Insufficient amount of vitamin C negatively affects all this. To eliminate this cause, it is enough to start eating lemons, oranges, sauerkraut and drink ascorbic acid.

Diseases of the whole organism affect bleeding. Therefore, it is necessary to try to cope with the disease, following the doctor's recommendations. Gums that bleed for a long time indicate the presence of diabetes. This can be caused by certain medications or serious problems with the body.

Bleeding gums from dental floss

This occurs due to improper use of the thread. Thus, this "accessory" has several types. This expression refers to the thickness of the thread. Incorrect selection of it leads to damage to the gums. Incorrect use often leads to severe bleeding.

What should you do in this case? First of all, you should consult a doctor about the need to use floss. After all, not all people can use floss. If your gums are very weak and you have problems with your teeth, flossing is not recommended. In some cases, a very thin floss is used, but only where it can “pass”. By forcibly squeezing the hygiene product through your teeth, you risk getting unpleasant sensations and injuring yourself. This happens mainly due to self-use of the floss. In order to avoid this, you need to visit a dentist and clarify the possible use of this “accessory”.

trusted-source[ 2 ], [ 3 ]

Bleeding gums in periodontal disease

This is quite a common phenomenon, or rather, it is the first symptom of a problem. The disease is not very common. Periodontitis is quite common.

Periodontosis is a non-inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues. Its development can be affected by disorders occurring in the body. This can be caused by poor nutrition. Atrophy of the alveolar areas is one of the complications of this process. Sclerotic changes can occur against this background. Over time, the gums will begin to settle and become thinner. As a result, the effect of "wedge-shaped teeth" with exposed roots is formed.

Periodontosis is caused by genetic predisposition to it, or changes in hormonal levels. Therefore, for women, this phenomenon is not at all unusual. Especially during pregnancy and menopause. If the problem is not eliminated in time, severe complications may develop.

trusted-source[ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Bleeding gums with hepatitis C

Bleeding gums with hepatitis C occur against the background of complete weakening of the body. This disease requires taking many serious drugs. Therefore, against the background of the existing problem, the body is significantly weakened by treatment. First of all, the "weakest" places are damaged. Naturally, we are talking about teeth.

You can get hepatitis C even in a dentist's office. A banal failure to follow the rules for processing instruments can lead to infection. The presence of the disease is characterized by the sudden appearance of an unpleasant odor from the mouth. The gums begin to swell and puff up, and persistent plaque forms on the teeth. The gums change color, pain syndrome appears during eating, accompanied by bleeding.

Naturally, the problem must be eliminated properly. But, as long as a person has hepatitis and treatment continues, it is impossible to eliminate bleeding gums. You can try complex treatment, but still, it is advisable to eliminate the main "causative agent" of such consequences.

trusted-source[ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ]

Bleeding gums after tooth extraction

Bleeding gums after tooth extraction is a normal phenomenon associated with the formation of a blood clot. This happens almost always. Moreover, the absence of a clot indicates the presence of unwanted complications. Rather, it indicates that the socket has become inflamed. It takes a long time for a blood clot to form, so it is worth providing the person with complete rest. In no case should you rinse your mouth, and you should not eat for the first time for hours either. Bleeding for several hours is normal. After the blood clot is formed, everything will pass.

Excessive bleeding may appear, on the contrary, several hours after the extraction. This is due to low blood clotting. To stop moderate bleeding, use a sterile gauze swab. It is applied to the wound for about 20 minutes. If the problem does not disappear, you should immediately inform your dentist. It is quite possible that a large vessel was damaged during the tooth extraction. This negative consequence requires immediate intervention.

Bleeding gums during menopause

Bleeding gums during menopause are a typical and normal phenomenon for women. The fact is that during this period the body is preparing for a new restructuring. The possibility of becoming a mother disappears, and all processes go into rest mode. As noted above, bleeding gums often occur directly during restructuring in the body. This applies to adolescence, menopause and pregnancy. Therefore, this phenomenon is quite understandable for menopause.

The body is no longer as active. Many processes slow down and childbearing is almost impossible. The body weakens as a result of the hormonal imbalance occurring in it. It is almost impossible to help in this case. The only thing a woman can do is to start leading an active lifestyle, eat right and include foods rich in vitamins and microelements in her diet. A dentist is unlikely to provide any help. You just need to strengthen the body and wait for this process to end.

trusted-source[ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ]

What vitamins are lacking when gums bleed?

Not many people know what vitamins are lacking when gums bleed and what to do in this case. Vitamins themselves are organic substances. They should be fundamental to any food and enter the body in various forms. When hypovitaminosis occurs, the body weakens and requires increased attention to itself. This phenomenon occurs against the background of a decrease in the content of vitamin B, B2 and PP.

With hypovitaminosis, a person lacks one or another component, with avitaminosis - all. In order to correct the situation, you should eat the missing vitamins in pure form or with food. Vitamin B is responsible for metabolic processes and the transmission of nerve impulses. It can be found in bread, cereals, peas and egg yolk. In the oral cavity, the absence of this component is characterized by the manifestation of hyperplasia of the fungiform papillae of the tongue, desquamative glossitis.

Vitamin B2 is involved in oxidation-reduction reactions and is a component of a number of enzymes. It enters the body with food and is synthesized in the intestines. It can be found in meat, milk, and cereals.

With a deficiency of this component, specific changes occur in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and eyes. Cracks in the corners of the mouth occur especially often. Severe bleeding of the gums is possible.

Vitamin PP is involved in oxidation-reduction reactions, carbohydrate and protein metabolism, and has a vasodilating effect on peripheral vessels. Nuts, fruits, fish, bread, meat, and yeast contain quite a lot of it. If there is not enough of it in the body, a burning sensation of the mucous membrane and tongue is observed. This is quite unpleasant at the root of the tongue. You can see teeth marks on it.

Degrees of bleeding gums

There are different degrees of gum bleeding, which are influenced by certain factors. Thus, the first stage is characterized by a single occurrence of pinpoint bleeding. At the second stage, it has a linear-pinpoint character and appears along the edge of the papilla apex. The third stage is characterized by the appearance of moderate bleeding from the interdental papilla. It is represented by a triangle.

Stage 3 may also manifest itself over time. It is characterized by profuse bleeding. It usually occurs immediately and is facilitated by probing. One or another degree can only be determined after diagnosis. It is carried out by pressing on the dental papilla or by probing.

There is a special rating scale. If it shows 0, it means that the study did not reveal bleeding, 1 - it is there, but it appears within 20-30 seconds. The number 2 means that bleeding appears immediately, 3 - it appears after eating. This allows you to determine the degree of this pathology. So, 0.1-1.0 - mild inflammation, 1.1-2 - moderate inflammation, 2.1-3 - severe inflammation.

trusted-source[ 14 ], [ 15 ], [ 16 ]

Bleeding gums and bad breath

These symptoms are caused by the development of the disease halitosis. It occurs in almost every second person throughout their life. The causes of this disease are insufficient oral care. Halitosis brings discomfort and a feeling of awkwardness to a person. It is possible to eliminate the problem.

The most important thing for disease prevention is to use proper oral hygiene techniques and healthy nutrition. Bad breath can be caused by many factors. It is mainly associated with poor hygiene. This causes gum inflammation, periodontitis. But that is not all, the stomach suffers significantly, there is an unpleasant smell from the nose, diabetes is possible.

If your gums bleed and the bad breath appears only in the morning, this is quite normal. The fact is that at night, salivation is significantly reduced, which is why this phenomenon occurs. If the smell does not disappear after brushing your teeth, you should consult your doctor.

Halitosis that occurs when talking most likely originates from the nasopharynx. Bacteria can stimulate the development of odor. If the gums bleed heavily, it is worth diagnosing their inflammation. In almost all cases, tartar is to blame, and caries has no less influence.

Inflammation and bleeding of the gums

Inflammation and bleeding of the gums are associated with the manifestation of gingivitis. At first, it shows itself as the appearance of plaque on the gums.

It is represented by an invisible sticky film. It originates from bacteria formed from sugar. When brushing teeth, this film is washed off and then formed again. If this coating is on the teeth for more than 3 days, it hardens and tartar is formed. It is no longer possible to remove the defect with a toothbrush. This can only be done with special procedures.

Long-term "presence" of the stone leads to severe irritation of the gums. Over time, serious problems arise. The gums begin to inflame and bleed significantly. This is how gingivitis manifests itself. To avoid unpleasant consequences, it is worth brushing your teeth on time and constantly caring for your oral cavity. Otherwise, all your finances and energy will go to dental institutions. Therefore, it is better to brush your teeth and not worry about the possible development of gingivitis.

Bleeding and swelling of the gums

Bleeding and swelling of the gums are signs of periodontitis. The disease manifests itself in the form of unpleasant sensations, pain, bleeding. The dental papillae are cyanotic, dental plaque is possible. All these manifestations are visible at a mild stage of the disease. If there is an average stage, then the situation is a little more complicated. The disease is characterized by itching, burning, bad breath, mobility. 1-2 degrees. At a severe stage, there is severe pain in the gums, their extreme bleeding, significant supra- and subgingival dental plaque, mobility of 2-3 degrees. If you have one of these symptoms, you should seek help from a dentist.

The disease occurs due to genetic predisposition, unfavorable living conditions, and gastrointestinal diseases. It is possible that the problem may manifest itself in diabetes and thyroid diseases. The installation of poor-quality crowns, fillings, and taste pathology can serve as an impetus for the development of the disease. In any case, it is necessary to carefully monitor your oral cavity. Then no disease will stand in the way of a full and comfortable life.

trusted-source[ 17 ]

Severe bleeding of gums

Severe bleeding of the gums occurs against the background of advanced stages of diseases. Thus, periodontitis, periodontosis, gingivitis can contribute to the development of this symptom. It is important to diagnose the presence of these problems in time and begin to treat them. Naturally, severe bleeding occurs already in advanced stages. You will have to fight for a long time and hard.

Severe bleeding in children and adults is mainly a sign of gingivitis. This is a common inflammation of the gums. In some cases, it is called a disorder of the blood coagulation system. The disease occurs due to poor oral hygiene. It can be provoked by periodontitis, hard dental plaque, problem teeth. In some cases, everything happens with poor-quality fillings, crowns.

Active overload of teeth, endocrine diseases, bleeding gums due to lack of vitamins and pregnancy are the main provocateurs of development of serious consequences. There is nothing terrible in this phenomenon if a person starts to eliminate the problem in time. If you leave everything to chance, tooth loss is possible.

Pain and bleeding gums

Pain and bleeding gums are a sign of an oral disease. Pathological causes can contribute to this process. In fact, there may be quite a few of them. There are certain factors that are most common. In most cases, everything is associated with the presence of inflammatory processes. They appear against the background of poor plaque removal. This leads to the appearance of bacteria in the oral cavity.

Chronic diseases associated with the digestive tract can contribute to the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth. Even taking some medications does not exclude this process. Which leads to the appearance of gingivitis, periodontitis.

Trauma is another major cause of bleeding gums. It is enough to simply brush your teeth incorrectly or use a tight toothbrush. Improper brushing most often leads to gum damage. Improper use of dental floss is fraught with equally serious consequences.

Chemical irritants include substances released during smoking. They have a fairly negative effect on teeth and gums, leading to serious inflammatory processes. Autoimmune diseases. These include arthritis, lupus. All of them can cause severe bleeding of the gums.

Lack of vitamins C and K. Deficiency of these important components leads to severe bleeding. Teeth may become loose and fall out.

Gingival bleeding index

The gingival bleeding index is designed to assess the degree of tissue inflammation. It is believed that this criterion, along with the assessment of edema and hyperemia, is due to the increased tendency of the gum to bleed when probing with a periodontal probe.

When determining this indicator, the doctor can easily verify that the patient performs the necessary hygiene procedures or, on the contrary, forgets about them. The degree of bleeding of the gingival groove is determined 30 seconds after careful probing with a periodontal probe.

There are six indexing degrees. So, the first 0 - the appearance of the gum is unchanged, there is no bleeding when probing. For 1, bleeding is characteristic, but the gum does not change its appearance. At 2 - a change in color appears due to inflammation, bleeding occurs when probing. For 3 - everything is the same as for 2, but in addition to this, slight swelling of the gum appears. At 4 - everything is the same as for 3, but pronounced inflammatory edema may occur. Finally, for degree 5, everything is the same as for 4, but spontaneous bleeding and erosion of the gum epithelium may occur.

Bleeding gums in children

Bleeding gums in children occur against the background of developing gingivitis. This is a common phenomenon for babies. But inflammation and bleeding also occur against the background of periodontitis and periodontitis of one of the teeth. Naturally, inflammation of the gums against the background of problems with the oral mucosa can serve as a cause.

Gingivitis manifests itself in the form of pain when brushing teeth, swelling of the marginal gum and interdental papillae. Bleeding and redness of the gums are possible - red gums in a child are a symptom of the acute phase of inflammation. In some cases, cyanosis appears.

The main causes of this problem are hidden in the microbial flora of dental plaque. Its significant accumulation leads to the appearance of tartar, which is not so easy to remove. Toxins and mediators, affecting the gum, cause an intense inflammatory reaction in it, which is manifested by the development of edema, bleeding. The main cause of the disease is soft microbial plaque and dental deposits. Simply put, insufficient oral hygiene. The problem can be affected by defects in dental fillings, bite anomalies, mouth breathing, etc. If any symptoms appear, you should contact a dentist.

Bleeding gums during pregnancy

This process is associated with changes in the hormonal background. The composition of dental plaque becomes completely different, the number of harmful bacteria can increase significantly. Together with improper oral hygiene, the problem begins to worsen. As a result, gums bleed. Weakening of tooth enamel is also possible. Ultimately, the tooth is destroyed.

Another reason for the development of the problem may be a lack of vitamins and calcium. After all, during pregnancy, the baby begins to actively take these components from the mother, thereby leading to disturbances in her body.

Dental plaque gradually turns into tartar together with bacteria. It can only be removed at a dentist's appointment. You don't want to do this, but you have to. After all, the problem can have serious consequences. The situation can get worse at any moment.

Prevention should consist of timely elimination of diseases and proper oral care. If a woman brushes her teeth properly, takes care of her teeth and rinses her mouth regularly, everything will be fine. There should be no problems.

trusted-source[ 18 ]

Who to contact?

Treatment of bleeding gums

Treatment of bleeding gums is carried out in several stages. The first step is the removal of hard dental deposits. This is done at a dentist's appointment using an ultrasonic tip. Anti-inflammatory therapy is actively used. Rinsing with 0.05% Chlorhexidine and applications with Holisal gel are used as standard drugs.

Chlorhexidine. The drug is used for rinsing the mouth. The procedure is carried out 2 times a day for 1 minute. For gingivitis, the course of treatment is 1 month. If we are talking about surgical dentistry, then 10 ml for 1 minute before the operation. The drug has contraindications, which consist of not allowing use in case of increased hypersensitivity. Side effects: taste disturbance, swelling of the parotid glands, discoloration and burning of the tongue, skin irritation.

Holisal gel. The product should be applied 2-3 times a day before meals or before bedtime. The gel is squeezed onto a clean finger and gently rubbed into the affected areas of the mucous membrane. For adults, a 1 cm strip is enough, for children - 0.5 cm. The duration of therapy is determined by the doctor individually. Side effects in the form of burning may occur, usually it goes away on its own. The drug should not be used in case of hypersensitivity, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Proper oral hygiene is part of the course of eliminating the problem. It is important to use special toothpastes that reduce gum bleeding. These include Lacalut Activ, Lacalut fitoformula, Paradontax and Paradontax F, PresiDent exclusive, Lesnoy Balsam for bleeding gums and Paradontal Active. The paste can help relieve symptoms faster, but will not give any other effect. Finally, it is worth using a special toothbrush. It is desirable that it has soft bristles. But this is permissible only during treatment, then a hard brush is used. Because soft bristles do not injure the gums, but also do not remove a significant amount of plaque. By following the entire course consistently, the likelihood of getting rid of the problem in a short time increases. A dentist provides a complete picture of the treatment.

Vitamin therapy is often used. It is necessary to pay attention to vitamin C. It is well absorbed and helps strengthen gums, as well as reduce bleeding. Vitamin B, PP and B6 have a positive effect. They can be taken in the form of vitamin complexes. This can be Calcemin, Magnesium B6. They are taken one tablet in the morning for a month. Everything depends on the course of treatment. Calcium in tablets should be used in the evening.

Prevention of bleeding gums

Prevention of bleeding gums is a forced and necessary measure. In order to never have problems, it is worth following special rules for oral care. After eating, you should constantly rinse your mouth, this can be with regular water or special products. You can use a light infusion of chamomile. Rinsing your mouth after eating will remove food particles and significantly reduce the number of harmful microbes.

You should brush your teeth at least once a day. Use a soft or medium-hard brush. In addition, cleaning is done with a special paste that contains fluoride or calcium. A number of minerals have a positive effect on the oral cavity as a whole.

After eating, you can use dental floss. It will remove food debris accumulated between the teeth. It is this hygienic "accessory" that effectively removes food debris between the teeth. Naturally, you should visit the dentist at least once every six months. In this case, no problems are scary.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.