What Causes Bleeding Gums?
For many people, bleeding gums can be considered a common problem. However, few know that they are an alarm bell for the health of our mouth. Read the article to understand and discover the causes of this disorder that should not be underestimated.
What is gum bleeding?
Although it is a disorder that can degenerate into a serious pathology, many think that there is nothing to worry about and end up ignoring the problem of gum bleeding. In fact, healthy gums never bleed. So let's see what are the main causes of bleeding gums and what to do when this happens.
Why do the gums bleed?
There are many factors that can cause gum bleeding. It generally results from a bacterial plaque infection, which in turn can trigger for several reasons. When bacterial plaque builds up around a tooth, the gums become inflamed, red, and later, if left untreated, will begin to bleed.
The causes of the accumulation of bacterial plaque can be:
- Incorrect oral hygiene;
- The consumption of tobacco;
- A diet low in fruit and vegetables;
- High consumption of alcohol and sugars.
From gingivitis to periodontitis
There are several stages of inflammation involving the gums: the first is gingivitis, a situation in which the gums will be red, swollen and occasionally bleeding; it is a problem that can be easily solved with the intervention of a dentist or a dental hygienist, who will completely remove the bacterial plaque and return the gums to normal. If gingivitis is not treated, the inflammation proceeds and we arrive at the second stage, periodontitis, a much more serious problem because it is irreversible.
Periodontitis is a process whereby the body, in an attempt to avoid the entry of bacteria into the alveolar bone, causes a reabsorption of the gingival tissues. At this point, we no longer speak only of bleeding gums: it is possible that periodontal pockets, abscesses, instability of one or more teeth may occur, up to the loss of teeth. In order not to resort to dentures or implantology treatment, it is important to prevent and intercept this disease promptly.
Bleeding gums: prevention and treatment
If you are faced with the problem of bleeding gums, even occasionally, the first thing to do is to contact your dentist to carefully examine the clinical case. To avoid running into more serious problems like periodontitis, don't wait too long and treat the first gum bleeding as a wake-up call.
To prevent the problem from recurring, schedule periodic check-ups and dental cleanings at the dentist and at the same time maintain proper oral hygiene at home: remember to always use dental floss, clean your tongue well and choose non-aggressive toothpastes or specific for gum health.
In conclusion
If you suffer from gum bleeding, see an expert right away, don't wait. Your dentist will be able to take a complete oral health survey and also talk to you about other health risks that you might have. Very rarely, bleeding gums are symptoms of a serious disease or disorder, and only your dentist and doctor can rule these out