Bleeding gums - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Bleeding gums is a wake-up call for the onset of gum disease. It can be observed especially during the daily oral hygiene maneuvers, due to the appearance of reddish traces in the mouth and in the saliva. The most common cause is poor oral hygiene: too vigorous brushing and improper use of dental floss can irritate or traumatize the gums, as well as not adequately remove plaque. All this triggers above all a gingival inflammation (gingivitis), which can evolve into a much more complicated form, known as periodontitis. In these cases, in addition to the gums that bleed in a more or less copious way, it is possible to notice a redness and a swelling along the gingival margin, often associated with a sensation of discomfort.

Other factors that can facilitate gum bleeding are hormonal changes during pregnancy, the intake of certain drugs (especially anticoagulants, such as warfarin, aspirin or heparin) and an important vitamin deficiency (in particular, vitamin C and K),

In many cases, the phenomenon is mostly transitory, especially if the basic problem is identified and treated promptly. However, gums can bleed persistently even for the presence of more serious diseases: diabetes, coagulation disorders and, more rarely, leukemia.