“What causes your gums to bleed?”

One common reason is poor home care...not flossing. Some systemic diseases cause bleeding. Sometimes it’s just being overdue for a cleaning.

Inflammation causes the gums to bleed. Inflammation can be caused by several different things, so consult your local dentist and schedule an oral hygiene appointment with an exam.

Poor oral hygiene is a main cause of gums bleeding, which leads to gingivitis and later periodontal problems. You need to be seen by your dentist or hygienist for your regular dental cleaning at least 2/year, and then you need to continue with a good home dental hygiene, such as flossing and brushing after each large meal.

Bleeding is caused by inflammation. Bleeding gums are a sign of gingivitis which is usually the result of inadequate oral hygiene. It can be treated by seeing your dentist and hygienist for a thorough evaluation to confirm the cause. And of course, maintaining proper brushing and flossing habits are essential to prevent bleeding gums.

Plaque and bacteria that have built up under your gums. Healthy gums don’t bleed. Bleeding gums mean that you have some form of gum disease. I recommend that you go to a dentist, take a complete set of x-rays and have him/ her preform a thorough exam.

Gums can bleed for several reasons, usually due to irritation or trauma.

Not brushing teeth often enough or at least twice a day. Periodontal disease (an advanced form of gum disease), Gingivitis (gum inflammation), Leukemia (cancer of the blood), vitamin deficiency.

Thank you,

Dr. Garcia

Besides trauma, the main cause of bleeding up is gingivitis, an inflammation in the gums, resulting from plaque build up around your teeth. If left untreated can, the gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, an inflammation of the tissue around the too, result in continued bleeding gums, increased pain and sensitivity, and bone loss. I would suggest scheduling appointment for a checkup and cleaning. It is important to diligent with scheduling cleaning every 6 months to maintain healthy gums and smile.

Bleeding is sign of inflammation which is caused by bacteria

Intact skin prevents bleeding. Bleeding results when skin is cut, abraded or missing.

Plaque (bacteria, germs) can literally eat the skin (gums) allowing bleeding to occur. Now bacteria (germs) can travel through the infected gums gaining access to the blood stream. They can then infect and damage the heart, joints, and other places you really do not want the germs to be.

Making sure the teeth are clean 360 degrees around at least once a day can allow the gums to grow new skin and stop bleeding. This healing takes time. The gums will continue to bleed until they have healed.

Unfortunately brushing and flossing infected, bleeding, sore gums can be painful. It can also make the bleeding worse during the thorough cleaning process. You will need to clean the teeth and gums even though they are sore and bleeding. Keep them clean and they will eventually heal and stop bleeding.

If the soft plaque has hardened it is now referred to as calculus or tarter. This cannot be removed with brushing or flossing. The procedure to remove this hardened stuff is called deep scaling and root planning. It is performed by a dentist, or by a dental hygienist.

There is more very important information you need.

There are some unusual diseases that can leave the gums very weak and almost impossible to stop the bleeding no matter how clean they are kept. Make sure you have had had a medical examination to rule out any such diseases. Sometimes bleeding gums are the first sign of such a disease. It is very important you are aware of this possibility. Often times the dentist is the first person to see. He has been educated to recognize when this is a possibility.

I am glad you are interested in your health, and will take care of this important problem.

You can find very detailed information about how to best clean the teeth in the book: GROWING A HEALTHY CHILD, SECRERTS FROM A WISE OLD DOC. It is available on line.

Hello,

Gums can bleed because they are inflamed. Just like when someone falls and hits their arm it swells up; gums (or gingival tissue) does the same time. Also if there is an infection in the skin it would swell (get inflamed) up and this is also true of the gums. The question then becomes; "What causes the swelling?"
Just like someone's arm, the gums can swell up from trauma; however, this is not usually the case. The usual cause is a bacterial or foreign body (food) infection. When the body detects bacterial or some other material where there should be none, the immune system reacts and tries to fight it. The first response of the immune system is to swell up to allow immune cells to the area. A lot of times this bacteria is in the plaque between the teeth. Most people stop flossing when they see blood because they feel they are doing something wrong. However, In this case stepping up one's flossing game by flossing more often usually disrupts the plaque and therefore the bacteria. The gums will lose their inflammation an stop bleeding in a couple days.
Hope this helps

My best to you!

William F. Scott IV, DMD

Bacterial inflammation is a short answer. Gums get inflamed and this leads to bleeding, etc. "When was your last cleaning?" and "how is your home care?" are 2 questions for you to think about.

Dr. Khaja Mohsinuddin

Gum disease is almost always the cause of bleeding. the degree of gum disease needs to be assessed to discover the treatment necessary.

Usually bleeding gums means you have gum issue. It could be resolved by regular cleaning or if it is serious you might need scaling and root planing. Please go see your dentist.