Causes of Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are a sadly common occurrence, and they don’t have to be. At Bridge Smiles Dental Group, we provide periodontal therapies to help get patients’ gums healthy again, but we want people to know how to avoid this problem in the first place.

Periodontal disease follows from severe gum inflammation. This happens when a large amount of plaque had built up on teeth next to the gum line. The gums are irritated by acids caught by the plaque, which causes them to swell, bleed, and recede. The teeth and jawbone tissue also lose mass. Although plaque should be removed by professional hygienists, it may be possible to prevent further build-up by brushing for longer and with fluoridated toothpaste.

Patients should be cautious that brushing too hard can also bruise the gums. Pregnant women’s gums are likelier to become inflamed due to hormonal changes, and people who suffer from dry mouth are likelier to have bleeding gums because saliva plays an important role in preventing the spread of decay-causing bacteria. Certain medications can also increase the likelihood of gum disease if they are blood thinners.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit BridgeSmilesDental.com.