Everyone has had the experience of tasting blood in their mouth. No, this isn’t a post for vampires. It’s for all of you who have ever rinsed your mouth after brushing your teeth and been horrified at flecks of blood in the bowl. Sound familiar? You should not be surprised to know your oral type is that of a bleeding mouth. So what does having a bleeding mouth mean? Should you be worried? Let’s find out.

What do you mean by bleeding mouth?

Your gums look more red than normal, swollen, and puffy. Gums present in the spaces between your teeth appear bulky. This is because your gums are inflamed due to slight irritation from the plaque and calculus buildup on the surfaces of your teeth. This makes the gums sensitive and bleeds even while performing activities like brushing, chewing, or even with the slightest touch or pressure.

The intensity of bleeding gums depends on the degree of gum inflammation. The intensity of bleeding gums is less in mild cases of gum diseases ( gingivitis) and more in advanced cases (periodontitis).

Bleeding gums are common. Here are some reasons why that happens – and what you can do about it.

What causes your gums to bleed?

Habits

Brushing too hard

Brushing aggressively can tear the delicate gum tissues and cause them to bleed.

Using a hard bristle toothbrush

Hard bristles often cause tearing of gums and cause bleeding. Dentists do not recommend the use of hard bristle brushes.

Poor oral hygiene

This is the primary cause of bleeding gums. It all starts with plaque. Plaque accumulation on the surface of teeth irritates your gums and causes bleeding. The intensity of bleeding depends on how intense the inflammation in your gums is. Less intense cases are usually those of gingivitis, where there isn’t much tissue destruction. Intense cases like those in which bone loss is involved are more dangerous.

Improper flossing

Flossing incorrectly can tear the gums between your teeth and cause bleeding.

Ill-fitting dentures or other dental appliances

Uncomfortable dentures and appliances keep causing gum irritations and tear the delicate gum tissue. Constant pricking from the appliances can also cause your gums to bleed.

Smoking

Smoking or consuming tobacco in any form is very harmful to your mouth. Tobacco pieces or stains in your mouth lead to gum disease and bleeding gums very easily. Consumption of ‘paan’ or slaked lime can cause burns on the inside of your mouth, making your gums prone to inflammation and bleeding.

Medical conditions

Any bleeding disorders–

like Thrombocytopenia, Hemophilia etc.

Medications for blood thinners–

In case of any previous heart attacks or heart surgeries etc

Hormonal changes-

Pregnancy gingivitis. People experiencing hormonal surges like in menopause or puberty are more prone to bleeding gums. This is also true during pregnancy. Estrogen and progesterone can increase the blood flow to your gums. Always make sure to keep your mouth completely clean to avoid bleeding gums in these conditions.

Infection either in a tooth or the gum

Leukemia (a type of blood cancer)

Bleeding gums can be a sign of leukemia, a type of cancer. Your blood platelets help your body stop bleeding. If you have leukemia, your platelet count remains low. That makes it hard for bleeding to stop in different parts of your body and that also includes your gums.

Scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency

This vitamin helps your tissue grow and repair. It heals wounds and strengthens your bones and teeth. Over time, you can also get swollen and bleeding gums.

Vitamin K deficiency

This vitamin helps your blood clot properly. It’s also good for your bones. dietary deficiency of vitamin K or inability of your body to absorb this vitamin can cause bleeding problems.

Hereditary

Bleeding gums as such are not inherited, but gum diseases are. So you actually may be prone to bleeding gums if it runs in your family.

Signs and symptoms of bleeding gums

Look for these signs and symptoms to know if you are suffering from bleeding gums—

• Swollen or puffy gums
• Dusky red or dark red gums.
• Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss.
• Bad breath.
• Receding gums.
• Tender gums.
• Traces of blood while brushing your teeth

How can bleeding gums affect your gums in the future?

Gum diseases – gingivitis

Bleeding gums if not addressed in time can cause further damage to your gums.

Periodontitis (disease of gums spreading to the jaw bone)

Gum infections like gingivitis if not treated within time can reach advanced stages of gum infections that is periodontitis.

Deepening of gum pockets and loose gum attachment

The gums start loosing attachment with the teeth in more advanced stages of periodontitis.

Receded gums

Once attachment is lost, the gums start to recede down and lose support to the teeth.

Mobile and loose teeth

Once support to the teeth is lost, the teeth start becoming loose and become shaky.

Irreversible damage to gums and bone

all the above slowly and progressively cause damage to gums and bone that cannot be reversed.

What’s coming if you ignore bleeding gums?

Bleeding gums are not to be ignored whether mild or severe cases.

• Early tooth loss
• Heart attacks
• Diabetes
• Increased morbidity and mortality for diabetes,
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Obesity
• Osteoporosis
• Complications of pregnancy- premature delivery

Which diseases can aggravate if ignored (Dental & otherwise)

• Early tooth loss
• Heart attacks
• Diabetes
• Alzehimer’s disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Obesity
• Osteoporosis
• Complications of pregnancy- premature delivery

How to stop bleeding gums at home?

• Use preferably a soft bristle toothbrush. Take care to avoid aggressive brushing
• Use gentle brushing strokes to clean your teeth and avoid harsh brushing. Remember, you only have to clean your teeth not scrub your teeth.
• Use less brushing pressure to brush your teeth.
• Massaging your gums daily can improve gum health
• Vitamin A and E oils can be used to massage your gums
• Including vitamin C in your diet can improve gum healing
• Avoid eating hot and spicy foods
• Do not use any toothpastes that cause burning sensations in the mouth
• Do not use alcoholic mouthwashes
• Luke warm salt water rinses can be done daily to avoid the spreading of gum infections
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption at least till complete healing of gum tissues
• Avoid teeth whitening till complete healing of gum tissues

How to stop bleeding gums with the right dental products?

Choosing the right dental care products is very important to stop bleeding gums and improve the condition of your gums. Choosing any other dental products may not solve the issue of bleeding gums. Make sure your dental care kit contains —

• Toothpaste – Anti-plaque toothpaste to remove plaque as local irritants to gum tissues.
• Toothbrush – Ultra soft bristle tapered toothbrush to clean below the gum line.
• Mouthwash- Non-alcoholic antiseptic and anti-bacterial mouthwash to improve gum health
• Gum care – Gum massaging ointment containing hemostatic agent to stop bleeding
• Floss – Waxed coating dental tape floss
• Tongue cleaner – U-shaped / silicon tongue cleaner

The bottom line

A bleeding mouth is the first sign of gum infections like gingivitis and periodontitis. It is extremely important to keep your gums healthy to keep your teeth healthy. Choose the right dental products to cure bleeding gums (click here to know which dental products are right for you). To know the condition of your gums, you can simply take a self-scan of your mouth (on the scano.app App) on your phone and also video consult a dentist to get a step by step guidance on your oral type— bleeding mouth.

Highlights –

• Bleeding mouth is when your gums bleed even with the slightest amount of pressure like brushing your teeth.
• Bleeding gums for too long can affect the health of your gums and cause gum infections in later stages leading to periodontitis.
• Just cleaning your teeth is not enough in this case. Choose the right gum care products to take care of your gums.
• Regular teeth scanning and teeth cleaning and polishing can cure bleeding mouth.