Bleeding gums – Warning signal & remedy
Bleeding gums – a serious warning signal from your body
Does biting into an apple leave red marks? Does the toothpaste you spit out after brushing your teeth contain blood? Or do you have a metallic taste in your mouth? All of the above can indicate gingivitis, i.e. an acute inflammation of your gums, which are also known as the gingiva. Here, you will find out why it is important to treat bleeding gums.
Bleeding gums are a serious warning signal from your body. It indicates an inflammation of the entire periodontium, which professionals call periodontitis. This is a serious disease that, in a worst-case scenario, will not only lead to tooth loss but it can also cause cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis or Alzheimer's.
Superficially inflamed gums (gingivitis) represent a preliminary stage, which can also manifest itself through bleeding gums. If you regularly notice bleeding gums, a visit to your dentist is a must.
Causes: Why do gums bleed?
As with any inflammation, your body will try to take action on its own. By increasing blood flow to the affected area, it tries to flush out the bacteria.
Gingivitis symptoms:
Redness, swelling and pain. The gums will also swell, can take on a crimson colouration due to the dilation of the blood vessels and react with sensitivity when you are cleaning your teeth or biting into food.
Possible causes of bleeding gums include:
- hormonal changes (pregnancy)
- bacteria/poor oral hygiene
- mechanical pressures (caused by protruding edges of fillings),
- a vitamin C deficiency or chemical processes.
1. The most common cause of bleeding gums and periodontitis: a lack of oral hygiene
Irregular brushing of the teeth and insufficient oral hygiene are the most common causes of bleeding from the gingiva, i.e. the gums. Within a short time after eating, a thin layer of plaque forms on the teeth. If the teeth are not cleaned regularly enough, this layer thickens. Finally, the plaque manifests itself in a solid form as tartar, which offers particularly good conditions for the bacteria found in plaque. Over time, these bacteria can spread to your gums and periodontium. Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (inflammation of the periodontium) then develop.
Irregular brushing of the teeth and insufficient oral hygiene are the most common causes of bleeding from the gingiva, i.e. the gums. Within a short time after eating, a thin layer of plaque forms on the teeth. If the teeth are not cleaned regularly enough, this layer thickens. Finally, the plaque manifests itself in a solid form as tartar, which offers particularly good conditions for the bacteria found in plaque. Over time, these bacteria can spread to your gums and periodontium. Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (inflammation of the periodontium) then develop.
2. Bleeding gums due to hormonal changes during pregnancy
Compared to women who are not pregnant, the correct cleaning technique and thorough oral hygiene are even more important for pregnant and breastfeeding women. As this is the only way to actively prevent pregnancy-induced gingivitis or periodontitis.
Hormonal changes that take place in the body during pregnancy mean that your body reacts more easily to bacterial plaque. Plaque causes irritation more quickly and makes gums bleed sooner. This can be prevented by professional tooth cleaning, a dental checkup at the start of a pregnancy and good oral hygiene.
Compared to women who are not pregnant, the correct cleaning technique and thorough oral hygiene are even more important for pregnant and breastfeeding women. As this is the only way to actively prevent pregnancy-induced gingivitis or periodontitis.
Hormonal changes that take place in the body during pregnancy mean that your body reacts more easily to bacterial plaque. Plaque causes irritation more quickly and makes gums bleed sooner. This can be prevented by professional tooth cleaning, a dental checkup at the start of a pregnancy and good oral hygiene.
3. Bleeding gums due to insufficient filling margins and dentures
Fillings that protrude beyond the tooth borders and into the interdental spaces create a niche for bacteria. This is often the case with old amalgam fillings. A permanent colonisation with harmful bacteria leads to gingivitis. Even thorough brushing of the teeth often does not help here – the toothbrush bristles cannot access these niches. The bleeding starts.
IIn contrast to bleeding gums caused by insufficient oral hygiene, in this case the gums bleed at specific points, namely directly at the site of the filling. As a result of this germ load, the gums often recede, which leads to receding gums and gingival pockets. Your dentist checks the edges of freshly placed fillings using a probe or dental floss and thus tests the accessibility of the interdental space.
Fillings that protrude beyond the tooth borders and into the interdental spaces create a niche for bacteria. This is often the case with old amalgam fillings. A permanent colonisation with harmful bacteria leads to gingivitis. Even thorough brushing of the teeth often does not help here – the toothbrush bristles cannot access these niches. The bleeding starts.
IIn contrast to bleeding gums caused by insufficient oral hygiene, in this case the gums bleed at specific points, namely directly at the site of the filling. As a result of this germ load, the gums often recede, which leads to receding gums and gingival pockets. Your dentist checks the edges of freshly placed fillings using a probe or dental floss and thus tests the accessibility of the interdental space.
The same applies for removable dentures: excessive pressure loads irritate the gums (gingiva), and inflammation occurs, which is painful and not always easy to fix. Without dentures, patients often do not feel comfortable speaking. If the dentures cannot be worn due to pressure inflammation, it is difficult to eat. Many patients then tend to wear the dentures after all. It is important to break this vicious cycle and to eliminate the pressure points on the dentures. This often requires only a small adjustment to the dentures, which allows the gums to heal and stop bleeding.
Initial measures: How to protect yourself from bleeding gums
- regular brushing and proper dental care
- regular checkups with your dentist
- professional tooth cleaning once or twice a year
- avoiding risk factors such as smoking
1. Regular tooth brushing
Regular checkups with your dentist are among the most important preventive measures against periodontitis. Professional tooth cleaning is recommended once or twice a year.
Tip: Many insurance companies also offer all-round carefree tooth protection, which takes care of your professional tooth cleaning, so that you can continue to stand out with a beautiful smile in future. Patients often notice inadequate fillings when food residues get stuck between the teeth. Don't forget to mention this to your dentist at one of your checkups.
Regular checkups with your dentist are among the most important preventive measures against periodontitis. Professional tooth cleaning is recommended once or twice a year.
Tip: Many insurance companies also offer all-round carefree tooth protection, which takes care of your professional tooth cleaning, so that you can continue to stand out with a beautiful smile in future. Patients often notice inadequate fillings when food residues get stuck between the teeth. Don't forget to mention this to your dentist at one of your checkups.
2. Regular checkups and professional tooth cleaning at the dentist’s practice
Regular checkups at your dentist’s practice are among the most important preventive measures against periodontitis. Professional tooth cleaning is recommended once or twice a year.
Tip: The all-round carefree tooth protection from dentolo also takes care of your professional tooth cleaning, so that you can continue to stand out with a beautiful smile in future. Patients often notice inadequate fillings when food residues get stuck between the teeth. Don't forget to mention this to your dentist at one of your checkups.
Regular checkups at your dentist’s practice are among the most important preventive measures against periodontitis. Professional tooth cleaning is recommended once or twice a year.
Tip: The all-round carefree tooth protection from dentolo also takes care of your professional tooth cleaning, so that you can continue to stand out with a beautiful smile in future. Patients often notice inadequate fillings when food residues get stuck between the teeth. Don't forget to mention this to your dentist at one of your checkups.
3. Avoid risk factors
Smoking constricts your blood vessels, which also changes the blood flow to the gums. Furthermore, it lowers the immune system. Bleeding gums are closely related to smoking.
Protect yourself effectively against heart disease with healthy gums. Inside the mouth, there is a constant interplay between bacterial defence and bacterial proliferation. As a whole it is called the oral flora.
If bacterial growth gets the upper hand due to poor oral hygiene, various diseases develop in the mouth. The best known are probably caries and gum inflammation (periodontitis). However, heart inflammation can also be triggered by poor oral hygiene.
Streptococci, spherical bacteria, are part of a healthy oral flora. However, there are some sub-forms that can multiply well in plaque and which are simultaneously known to cause heart inflammation. These are called Streptococcus mutans. In this case, they are then particularly likely to attack the heart muscle’s inner lining, also known as the endocardium. This results in endocarditis. The risk of having a heart attack increases. That is why it is important not to let caries develop or to have it remedied quickly by a dentist.
Smoking constricts your blood vessels, which also changes the blood flow to the gums. Furthermore, it lowers the immune system. Bleeding gums are closely related to smoking.
Protect yourself effectively against heart disease with healthy gums. Inside the mouth, there is a constant interplay between bacterial defence and bacterial proliferation. As a whole it is called the oral flora.
If bacterial growth gets the upper hand due to poor oral hygiene, various diseases develop in the mouth. The best known are probably caries and gum inflammation (periodontitis). However, heart inflammation can also be triggered by poor oral hygiene.
Streptococci, spherical bacteria, are part of a healthy oral flora. However, there are some sub-forms that can multiply well in plaque and which are simultaneously known to cause heart inflammation. These are called Streptococcus mutans. In this case, they are then particularly likely to attack the heart muscle’s inner lining, also known as the endocardium. This results in endocarditis. The risk of having a heart attack increases. That is why it is important not to let caries develop or to have it remedied quickly by a dentist.
