Do your gums bleed or do you know someone whose gums bleed? Don’t panic, its a common occurrence. Bleeding gums are indicators that the gums are unhealthy. It could be quite alarming to notice blood in your saliva when brushing. Healthy gums do not bleed spontaneously however, people with unhealthy gums may notice bleeding without any provocation. The gums bleed when they are inflammed (swollen, sometimes painful).
The following are causes of bleeding gums.
- Poor oral hygiene: the presence of plaque(the whitish slough on the teeth) and calculus/tar tar(hardened plaque) irritates the gums and causes it to bleed.
- Foreign bodies: sometimes, we have things stuck in the gums which can cause pain and bleeding gums.These foreign bodies include fish/chicken/turkey bone, fragments of tooth pick, strands of bristle from tooth brush or popcorn fragments.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes in pregnancy sometimes causes the gums to swell and bleed.
Treatment:
The treatment for bleeding gums is ‘scaling and polishing’ (professional cleaning) done by a dentist or hygienist. The professional cleaning gets rid of the gum irritants, the plaque and calculus.
In cases where the bleeding is due to foreign bodies lodging in the gum, pain and bleeding resolves after the foreign bodies are removed. It is always better to have your dentist check this out as attempts to force out these particles could lead to further damage.
Rinsing the mouth with warm saline (water and salt) after scaling and polishing will help the gums recover. Taking fruits rich in vitamin C is also beneficial for healthy gums.
Prevention
Brushing the teeth at least twice daily and having regular dental visits will help prevent bleeding gums.
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