It is common for patients to go to the dental office because when they brush their teeth they see that the gum bleeds, and they wonder, why is the gum bleeding?
WHY DOES THE GUM BLEED?
The gum is a tissue that protects the teeth from possible bacteria or foreign substances that can be ingested. This is responsible for the support of the teeth, facilitating their sliding with the food, preventing them from depositing on them and finally it would be an important aesthetic part.
The gums can become inflamed due to various causes, such as poor hygiene or continuous hygiene with poor practice (incorrect technique). With this, the only thing that is achieved is to damage our gingival tissue and then affect the bone that supports the teeth causing more severe damage.
It is very important to know that when the gum is healthy, it does not bleed. So one of the main reasons for consultation or that have to attract attention is gingival bleeding. Gum bleeding occurs because there is inflammation, and if there is inflammation of the gums, it must be taken into account what is the cause of this inflammation.
The causes of gum bleeding can be several but some of them are more important. Thus, below are some of the main causes of gum bleeding:
- Bacterial plaque accumulation
- Viral or fungal origin
- Drugs
- Pregnancy
Bacterial plaque accumulation
The main and most frequent of the factors that produce inflammation of the gums and therefore, bleeding of the gums is none other than the accumulation of bacterial plaque or bacterial biofilm. When brushing is not correct in areas where it is not cleaned well, bacteria accumulate forming the biofilm or dental plaque.
This persistent build-up leads to plaque gingivitis. It is about gum disease, when the gums are redder, swollen, and also bleed. The other entity that can occur when there is bleeding from the gums is periodontitis, a pathology that occurs when gingivitis has not been treated in time.
This may be due to the presence of plaque that accumulates and toothbrushing cannot completely remove it. To this, it must be added that there are different factors that favor the accumulation of bacterial plaque, such as the anatomy of the teeth or wearing orthodontic appliances, since when wearing the braces, proper oral hygiene is much more difficult to be able to eliminate all plaque bacteria.
Viral or fungal origin
Other causes for which the gum bleeds may be due to a viral or fungal origin. They can also be caused by injury or due to systemic diseases.
Drugs
Currently there are medications that increase the size of the gum, causing gingival hypertrophy and also bleeding in the gum.
These drugs are: anticonvulsants (dilatin), immunosuppressive drugs (cyclosporine), and drugs called calcium channel blockers (procardia, calan cardizem, plendil).
Pregnancy
Very often bleeding gums are very common in pregnant women. Presenting gingivitis especially during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy due to hormonal change is observed with great frequency.
HOW TO TREAT BLEEDING GUM?
Bleeding gums should be treated by taking a correct medical history of the patient. In addition, the oral cavity as well as the teeth and supporting tissues of the gums must be properly explored. Next, the diagnosis must be individualized and detailed in order to establish a treatment plan according to the characteristics of the patient.
Oral hygiene teaching is essential for the professional to strengthen the most affected areas and reduce bacterial plaque, facilitating a better reduction of bleeding.
It is very important to use a toothbrush of medium hardness, so that the bristles of the brush can effectively clean the oral cavity. Oral brushing should be done daily, about 2 or 3 times, and for a minimum period of about 3 minutes. Also, it is necessary to perform good interdental hygiene, either with dental floss or with an interproximal brush. The latter, the interproximal brush, must be of an adequate size in each area, which your dentist will recommend.
Usually, in a first basic phase of the treatment, the bacteria and periodontal pockets that have formed as a result of the removal of plaque in the gingival margin are carried out, by means of scraping and root planing that consists of cleaning the bacteria , plaque and tartar in the area above and below the gum.
This initial procedure is performed using sonic or ultrasonic devices, along with manual instruments, the dental curettes. Ultrasonic devices, through their vibration and water, allow the correct removal of calculus deposits or dental tartar. Manual instruments allow you to finish cleaning all the tartar mechanically.
This phase can be accompanied by an antibiotic regimen and chlorhexidine, for the chemical control of the microbial load and to prevent the disease from appearing again. Likewise, maintaining good oral hygiene, not leaving interdental hygiene aside, either with dental floss or an interproximal brush, is essential.
In stages in which the disease is aggressive or advanced, it is necessary to carry out a second phase of treatment, periodontal surgery, which is carried out in order to access these deep periodontal pockets.
For good oral health, it is essential to pay attention to gum bleeding, and if it exists, start with good maintenance of the gums, since they are the support of the teeth. A healthy gum will allow you to keep your teeth throughout life.
The periodontics specialists at Smile Care Plymouth will help you solve all your doubts and improve your quality of life by eliminating the gums from bleeding again, achieving a beautiful smile.
