Why Are My Gums Bleeding?

Bleeding gums can be a sign of the development of different diseases or a lack of vitamins. Alternatively, it can be a side effect of certain medications or the result of improper dental care. Here are several different factors that can cause your gums to bleed.

10 Common Causes of Bleeding Gums

Gingivitis

The main reason why your gums may bleed is normally because you have developed one of the earliest stages of gum disease, gingivitis. The buildup of plaque at the gum line leads to the inflammation of the gums. Swollen, tender gums will bleed easily when brushed or during flossing.

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase a woman’s chances of developing gum disease. Therefore, they may experience swollen gums and bleeding during brushing. The hormonal changes alter the body’s response to bacteria in the mouth, which leave expectant mothers at a higher risk of developing gingivitis.

Medications

Blood thinning medications cause bleeding gums, as they decrease your blood’s ability to clot, which can lead to easier, and more severe bleeding.

Flossing

If you have recently changed your flossing routine, or have just started flossing, your gums may bleed. This bleeding is not severe and should stop within a week. If the bleeding continues, it could mean you have more serious dental issues that need to be addressed by a dentist, or you maybe using an incorrect flossing technique.

New Toothbrush

Changes in the firmness of your toothbrush bristles can result in bleeding gums. For example, if you recently bought a firm bristle toothbrush but you are used to soft bristles, the hardness of the new bristles will cause bleeding. Alternatively, brushing your teeth too hard or too vigorously can result in bleeding gums.

Other causes of bleeding gums include:

• Bleeding disorders
• Incorrect fitting dentures or other dental appliances
• Leukemia, a type of blood cancer
• Vitamin C deficiency
• Vitamin K deficiency

The best way to find out what is causing your gums to bleed is to see your dentist to diagnosis the dental issue before it worsens.