Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are caused by a number of factors, mostly due to the accumulation of plaque. The presence of plaque leads to gums getting inflamed which in turn causes bleeding.  This is why it is so vital that you adopt good dental habits that removes plaque. Be it brushing or flossing, never skip a day as good habits are the ones that lead to healthy teeth down the lane as you grow older.

 

 

There are a number of risk factors that are associated with bleeding gums. The main ones being

  • Age: People who are older have a higher risk of contracting gum disease and in turn bleeding gums. This is why you should have regular dental checkups if you are older than 60.

 

  • Stress: Stress causes a multitude of health issues, including gum disease. Stress also leads to tooth grinding which in turn leads to damage in tooth enamel as well as sore jaws. It is important that you put on a night guard if you can’t help avoid tooth grinding.

 

  • Medicines: Tablets and other medicines increase the risk of dry mouth, which is a huge risk factor for bleeding gums. There are also side effects associated with drugs that are used to treat depression and heart disease that involve your oral health.

 

  • Genetics: Your genes too play a role in your chances of getting gum disease.

 

  • Tooth decay: Tooth decay in advanced stage would lead to bleeding gums. It is vital in this case to consult a dentist ASAP.

 

Having talked about the signs that cause bleeding gums, let us talk about how to combat bleeding gums and prevent them from occurring:

 

  • Practise a regular oral hygiene. Prevention is better than cure. It is better to brush and floss regularly whilst reducing the chances of getting a gum disease than undergo treatment.
  • Reduce drinking.
  • Increase the consumption of foods rich in Vitamin C such as oranges, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and pepper. Vitamin C strengthens your immune system and fights off gum disease.
  • Practise meditation and avoiding stress as much as possible.
  • Increase consumption of food rich in Vitamin K such as green leafy vegetables, fish, liver, eggs and meat.
  • Rinsing your mouth regularly with salt water. Salt water is a well known disinfectant and helps in alleviating pain and reducing the amount of bacteria in your mouth.
  • Using oil to swish your mouth regularly.
  • Dip your tooth paste in hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the teeth and gums. Hydrogen peroxide is known for its ability to treat plaque, but don’t swallow the paste.
  • Avoid consumption of tobacco as it increases the risk of gum disease.
  • Drinking green tea regularly. Containing cachetin, green tea is a natural oxidant that helps enhance the oral health.
  • Apply an ice pack in your teeth.
  • Cutting down on carbs. Consumption of starch proliferates the amount of bacteria present in your mouth. Bacteria as we know, is a huge cause for bleeding gums and is the reason why you should try avoiding carbohydrates as much as possible when your oral health is not upto the mark.
  • Avoiding sugary drinks and juices as they promote tooth decay.

 

Having talked about the remedies, it is mandatory to remember that none of these remedies promises to treat your bleeding gums. The best thing you can do now is to consult a dentist and ask him/her on what steps to be undertaken next.

 

Because at the end of the day, we may not have much clue about the intricacies of your oral issues and it requires a professional who can not only advise on the next steps to be taken, but also prescribe medicines for you to alleviate your pain soon.