What are Bleeding gums – Causes and treatments

Gums

The gums are a part of the mouth. They are made of muscular tissue, which forms the lining of the mouth. Unlike the soft tissue which makes up the lips and cheeks, the gums are tightly bound to the bone.  

Healthy gum is usually pink in colour and maybe darker with pigmentation.

How do we know if we have healthy gums? 

Healthy gums, as mentioned above, would have a pink colour; the colour may vary due to pigmentation. Healthy gums have a smooth appearance around each tooth. They fill the space between teeth. The gums are fabricated to hold every tooth on its surface.  

Healthy gums have a firm texture that usually resists moving unhealthy gums being swollen and less firm.  

Can the gum be infected? 

The gums may be infected due to various reasons like  

• Building up of bacteria and mouth
• Genetics
• Stress
• Crooked teeth
• Hormonal changes in women
• Immunodeficiency
• Few medications restrict the flow of saliva and make the mouth dry.  

Because of the infection in the gums, we may find that they are either swollen, loose or bleeding.

What are bleeding gums? 

Bleeding gums are the symptoms of some diseases. It directly pinpoints the health problem a person has. Mild bleeding may occur because of carelessness while brushing or wearing dentures that do not fit correctly.  

Bleeding gums can be a concern when there is  

• Leukaemia
• Vitamin deficiency  
• Periodontitis

Bleeding gums are mainly caused because of vitamin deficiencies.  

The lack of vitamins C and K can lead to bleeding of gums.

Can we treat bleeding gums at home? 

Practising good dental hygiene is the primary step to manage bleeding gums. Using a soft bristle toothbrush is important if it becomes bleeding after brushing.  

The saltwater rinse is an excellent age-old home remedy that would dry up the bacteria present in the mouth. By doing saltwater runs, destroy the bacteria and cleanse the area.

It is important to consider the diet as well. Diet plays a significant role in a person’s overall health. Consuming milk products with calcium, a nutrient that strengthens the teeth, would have fewer gum diseases.

Using a mouth rinse with hydrogen peroxide is useful. The chemical present in the mouthwash would rinse away all the bacteria present in the mouth and keep the mouth clean.

Increasing the consumption of vitamin C in the diet is beneficial. Vitamin C helps fight against diseases and helps the body build a stronger immune system. This will also help the body fight against bleeding gums.

Another important fact to consider is that if the body does not get adequate vitamin C, it may worsen the bleeding.  

So, consuming foods like

• Oranges
• Red peppers
• Carrots
• Lime  

which are rich in vitamin C not only improves gum health but has a great impact on improving overall health.

As vitamin C strengthens the connecting tissues of the body, it will strengthen the lining of the gums.  

Vitamins C and K also play an important role in improving gum health. Getting enough vitamin K from natural sources or supplements may also alleviate bleeding gums. Vitamin K is an essential nutrient, which helps the blood to get a clot. A deficiency in vitamin K can cause excessive bleeding.

It is important to take vitamin K-rich foods like

• Spinach
• Green leafy vegetables
• Kale

Having good oral hygiene is very important to protect the gums from any infection. Prevention is always better than cure. A person needs to understand that having a dental routine is mandatory for having healthy gums.

To sum up

Prevention is better than cure. Keeping gums healthy is essential for overall oral hygiene. Even though the methods mentioned above can be followed to reduce the swelling or bleeding of gums, it is always recommended to consult a doctor for proper advice and medical treatment.