Why Do My Gums Bleed?

Do your gums bleed when brushing your teeth, flossing, or even chewing your food? If so, this can be a sign of a dental problem. Knowing what causes your gums to bleed and what you should do about that problem can help you take care of your teeth.

At Mounts Dental Care, we can help patients diagnose and treat issues relating to their oral health. As yourdentist in North Little Rock, AR, we can help. Here’s what you need to know.

What Causes Gums to Bleed?

Gums can bleed when injured, like if you hit your mouth or were in an accident. Bleeding gums can occur for various other reasons, including medical conditions like pregnancy and leukemia, vitamin deficiency, and brushing or flossing too hard. Certain medications can cause your gums to bleed as well.

However, if your mouth has not recently been injured and if you have no conditions or medications that could cause bleeding gums, this could be a sign of periodontal disease. Patients who have periodontal disease have a lot of inflammation that can cause bleeding when they’re doing activities like flossing, brushing, or eating.

What Are the Signs of Periodontal Disease?

If you have periodontal disease, you’ll notice problems like red, puffy gums, bleeding gums, bad breath that persists even after brushing your teeth, loose teeth, tooth and gum discomfort, and gum recession.

If you have this condition, getting treatment from your dentist as soon as possible is important. Your dentist may recommend a special cleaning or even medication for this problem. Start with adental examination in North Little Rock to determine if you have periodontal disease.