Why are my gums bleeding? What do I do?

• Do you notice your gums bleeding?
• Are you spitting out some blood when you brush?
• Or do your gums bleed when you bite into something?

You’re not alone. 8 out of 10 people over 35 have gum problems. Bleeding gums are definitely not healthy, however. So, even if you’re anxious about going to the dentist, now’s the time to call and book an appointment. The sooner you get professional advice and help, the easier it’ll be to have a healthy mouth again.

Why are my gums bleeding?

The most common reason for gums bleeding is a build up of plaque along the gum-line. Plaque is a filmy mass of bacteria. It builds up and sticks, especially along the gum-line and between teeth. With time, if you don’t clean it away effectively, it hardens into a more yellowy substance called tartar, or calculus. Once plaque has hardened it’s even more difficult to remove.

• Read more about periodontal care and why it’s important.

A build up of plaque, of tartar, irritates the gums, causing sensitivity, inflammation and bleeding. Spitting blood when you brush is the most obvious sign there’s a problem with the health of your gums. It’s a good indicator that you need to see your dentist.

Make a hygiene appointment through direct access

These days, it is possible to see a dental therapist or hygienist, without having to see a dentist first. Direct access to hygiene is open to private patients who want to have their teeth professionally cleaned. It saves you time and money. Hygiene visits are a great way of enhancing your home oral hygiene routine. Moreover, if your clinician notices a problem a dentist should check, they will advise you.
Book a direct access hygiene appointment

How can I prevent bleeding gums?

It is a cliché, but it’s true – prevention is better than cure. If you do spit blood, then revise your home oral hygiene routine. Flossing more often helps remove plaque. At first, it may seem that your gums bleed more, but it will make a difference!

• Begin at least one cleaning session a day with dental floss or tape. Holding it taught, work it between all of your teeth. Flossing can dislodge plaque from the spaces between teeth and along the gum-line. Pay particular attention to the back teeth, the gum beneath crowned teeth or implants, and any overlapping teeth.
• Use interdental brushes as well, which are particularly good for cleaning out gaps. Both interdental sticks (use the flexible, slightly ridged, gentle ones rather than traditional wooden toothpicks) and interdental brushes come in different sizes.
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. And remember, two minutes is longer than you think!
• Use a fluoride toothpaste, and remember to change your toothbrush every three month, or once the bristles are worn. Why not consider upgrading to an electric toothbrush?
• Brush methodically around all of the surfaces of the teeth and gum-line. And remember to spit, don’t rinse, so that the fluoride stays in your mouth, working to strengthen enamel.
• Fluoridated mouthwash is a handy product to freshen breath and help teeth re-mineralise too, but does not replace the mechanical action of brushing and flossing.
• Disclosure tablets can also help you see if there’s plaque still left behind.

However good your home hygiene is, the chances are some plaque in hard to reach places will turn into tartar. This is why gum problems increase with age.

• Preventive dentistry encourages regular appointments with the dentist and scheduled hygiene appointments. Having plaque and tartar professionally removed every six months, or as recommended, helps gums to stay healthy.
• Consider joining a practice plan to spread the cost of regular treatments over the year into monthly instalments.

Even if you have a good oral hygiene routine, some patients are at higher risk of developing periodontal problems. Additional risk factors are:

• certain medications, for high blood pressure or epilepsy, for example.
• other illnesses, such as diabetes, osteoporosis or susceptibility to infection.
• changes in hormone balance ( during pregnancy or menopause, for example).
• life-style choices, including smoking, drinking or an unhealthy diet.
• a genetic predisposition.

Patients in these categories will need to invest even greater time and care in their oral hygiene.

What if I’ve left it a long time, and my gums are really sore?

If you feel self-conscious or embarrassed about visiting a dentist, or you’re worried you’re going to be told off for not brushing enough, please don’t be. It’s best to share your concern so your dentist can help you to overcome any anxiety or fear. Remember that your dentist will have seen much worse teeth than yours. And it’s not the dentist’s job to be judgemental, but to help you. The dentist will:

• examine your teeth and mouth thoroughly to assess the health of your teeth and gums.
• take x-rays, if necessary, to look for deeper problems too.
• assess the stage of gum disease.
  • Gingivitis is when the infection is restricted to the gums.
  • Periodontitis means the infection has spread further into the supporting structures of the teeth.
• discuss and plan treatment focusing on cleaning and establishing better oral hygiene and health.
• plan surgical treatments to try to prevent tooth loss, if necessary.
• establish a maintenance plan to help you keep up your improved oral health.

Are there other signs of gum disease?

Apart from bleeding gums, other symptoms are:

• reddening or darkening because of inflammation
• visible and tangible swelling
• any change in texture or appearance
• bad breath
• teeth feeling loose, wobbly or falling out
• sensitivity, a receding gum line, or exposed tooth root
• teeth gradually changing their position
• yellowish discharge, particularly from the margin between the gum and tooth

What happens if I don’t go to the dentist?

Think of the dentist’s work as reconditioning your mouth, giving it a good overhaul to be road-worthy. With work done, it’s easier to keep your mouth running with more reliability until it’s time for another check-up. Without intervention, things gradually get worse until they break down. If only gum disease was as painful as a root infection, for example, more people would see their dentist sooner. The discomfort develops gradually, and because it is usually low level it’s tolerable. Yet the bacteria are harming the structures of the mouth, and can also infect the rest of the body too. Left untreated periodontitis will exacerbate other health problems. It is linked with diabetes and heart conditions, in particular.

What if I’m a smoker?

If you’re a smoker you probably won’t have bleeding gums, because smoking alters the flow of blood to the gums. This means the gums of smokers are more prone to infection, yet less likely to bleed. Moreover, treatment for periodontal disease is less successful in smokers whose gums are less likely to heal after periodontal treatment or surgery, such as gum grafts to repair receded gums. People who give up smoking often experience bleeding from their gums, as the blood supply improves, and the irritation from plaque or tartar is expressed. It’s definitely worth giving up smoking if you want to improve your oral health.

Is it worth making a fuss?

You won’t be making a fuss. A little blood in your spit may not seem like it’s anything too important, but it is a symptom and you should do something about it. Ask yourself:

• How long do I brush my teeth for?
• How often do I floss my teeth?
• When did I last go to the dentists?

Gum disease may not be totally preventable but it can be kept under control with good oral care.

• Get in touch with your nearest SpaDental to ask how we can help treat or prevent gum disease.
• Promoting Gum Health Day, 2019

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