Dental health is one of the factors that seriously affect a person's quality of life. Gum bleeding has an important place among the common dental problems seen in society. Gingival bleeding, which may be related to oral hygiene habits as well as informing various health problems, should be taken seriously and appropriate treatment measures should be applied sensitively.
What is Gum Bleeding?
Gum or gingiva; It is the mucous tissue that fills the jawbones in the mouth and acts as a support and barrier by wrapping around the teeth. Contrary to the lip and cheek mucosa, it firmly settles on the bone tissues on which it is located, helping to grind the food, preventing the passage of residues to the tooth and the periodontal areas associated with the surrounding bone. In healthy people, it is slightly coral pink in color. For this reason, if the gingival tissue is weakened or damaged in various situations; The vessels in the connective tissue are damaged, causing gingival bleeding.
What are the Causes of Gum Bleeding?
Gingival bleeding can occur in healthy individuals under physiological conditions, as well as a precursor of serious health problems. . In this respect, the conditions that cause gingival bleeding can be summarized as follows:
- Oral hygiene habits; It is one of the most common causes of gingival bleeding. In this sense, the gums may be damaged and bleed due to various reasons such as using an excessively hard toothbrush, incorrect and pressure tooth brushing or not providing adequate oral hygiene, not brushing regularly, changing the usual dental health practices, starting to use different dental health products.
- Dentures or dentures; If it is not suitable for the oral structure, it will damage the gums and cause bleeding.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy: Due to hormonal changes in the gums during pregnancy, edema and increased blood supply occur in the gums, leading to bleeding gums.
- Gingivitis; means inflammation of the gums. In this sense, in case of inflammation of the gums due to various reasons, The flesh becomes brittle and suitable for bleeding.
- Periodontitis; It is the inflammation of the periodontal tissue that connects the tooth to the surrounding jaw bones and gingiva. Inflammation of this area due to dental caries or gingivitis may result in bleeding due to damage to the vessels in this area.
- Bleeding disorders; Intense gum bleeding may occur even after a simple food intake, especially in those who are prone to bleeding due to various reasons such as hemophilia or low platelet count in the blood.
- In diabetes or diabetes, the gums are normal tissue. loses its properties and becomes prone to bleeding.
- Vitamin deficiencies; It is a risk factor for bleeding gums, especially since the gums are damaged in the deficiencies of vitamins C and K. Vitamin C is indispensable in the health of the connecting tissues of the teeth, jaw bones and gums. In vitamin K deficiency, bleeding disorder develops.
- Nutrition habits; Gum bleeding may develop as a result of improper consumption of crusty or hard foods that will damage the teeth and gums.
- Smoking causes the gum tissue to be damaged and become prone to bleeding
- In blood diseases such as leukemias, the platelet count falls seriously, leading to a tendency to bleeding.
- Chronic diseases such as liver or kidney failure cause bleeding disorders.
- Drug side effects; Various drugs, especially blood thinners such as aspirin or coumadin, have side effects that cause bleeding disorders.
What are the Symptoms of Gum Bleeding?
Teeth Bleeding flesh can accompany various dental and oral problems or be the first manifestation. In this sense, gingival bleeding may occur with the following other symptoms:
- Edematous, swollen and reddened, sensitive gums
- Gum bleeding and recession, separation of tooth and gum
- Movement or loosening of the tooth
- Deterioration in the bite structure, change in the way the teeth overlap when bitten, or incomplete closure (malocclusion)
- Development of plaque, tartar or inflammation between the tooth and gingiva
- Pain while chewing
- Tooth sensitivity
- Inadequate fit of partial dentures
- Bad odor that cannot be removed after tooth brushing
How Gum Bleeding Goes?
Treatment of gingival bleeding is primarily planned for the underlying cause. However, prevention of gingival bleeding is possible with some measures to be applied at home. In this sense, “How can bleeding gums be prevented?” Answers to the question and solutions to bleeding gums can be listed as follows:
- Good oral hygiene is essential in prevention and treatment. The points to be considered here are to acquire the habit of correct and regular brushing at least 2 times a day and for two minutes, to use daily dental floss and to avoid behaviors that will disrupt oral hygiene. In this way, the risk of plaque formation and inflammatory disease development in the teeth and surrounding tissues will decrease.
- People should prefer a toothbrush with a hardness and design suitable for the mouth structure. It is recommended that those with edematous gingival complaints prefer soft toothbrushes. Alternatively, electric toothbrushes can be used to provide effective oral hygiene.
- Antiseptic mouthwashes can also be used to ensure maximum oral hygiene. In this way, the risk of plaque development is minimized.
- Since gingival bleeding and swelling are closely related, gargling with salty warm water helps to relieve edematous gums. It can reduce the risk of bleeding.
- When gingival bleeding occurs in those using dentures or dentures, a specialist dentist should be consulted to assess whether the apparatus is suitable for the oral structure.
- Going to the annual dentist examination is very important in order to protect dental and oral health.
- By paying attention to nutritional habits, the consistency, hardness or temperature that may impair dental and oral health food consumption should be avoided. In addition, since consuming foods rich in carbohydrates or sugars will lead to an increase in harmful microorganisms in the mouth and an increase in the risk of gingivitis, a poor diet habit should be avoided as much as possible.
- Taking plenty of fluids is another important point in preventing the proliferation of oral microorganisms. Drinking plenty of water prevents dry mouth and therefore inflammation by stimulating saliva secretion.
- Habits that impair oral health such as smoking and alcohol should be abandoned.
- In order to avoid vitamin deficiencies, it is recommended to consume foods containing vitamins C and K. In this sense, citrus fruits and juices such as lemon, orange and grapefruit, broccoli, strawberries, tomatoes and potatoes are rich in vitamin C. Spinach, lettuce, chard, watercress, soybean, olive oil and canola oil contain plenty of vitamin K.
- In case of bleeding gums during sleep, underlying gingivitis, periodontitis Gum diseases such as gum disease or the contraction of the jaw muscles during sleep and the exposure of the tooth to pressure and trauma are suspected. In this sense, a competent dentist should be consulted in the presence of such a complaint.
- In certain cases, “Is bleeding gums related to the heart?” question may arise. If gingival bleeding is not eliminated, the risk of developing infective endocarditis increases significantly, especially in people with heart valve problems, with an increase in the amount of microorganisms in the mouth. For this reason, it is very important for patients with a high risk of infective endocarditis such as heart valve problems to approach their gum problems more sensitively. Oral examination should be performed by the dentist, and appropriate treatment should be started for the detected problem. Accordingly, antiseptic mouthwashes and antibiotic treatment may be prescribed for inflammatory problems such as gingivitis or periodontitis. In addition, cleaning of the inflammatory area and, if necessary, surgical procedures may come to the fore.
- In systemic problems such as bleeding disorders, chronic diseases, diabetes that cause gingival bleeding, evaluation by a specialist physician.
How to Stop Gum Bleeding?
Cold compression to the bleeding site in bleeding due to trauma to which the gums are exposed. Its application is useful in relieving bleeding. It will be sufficient to apply ice or a chilled towel to the bleeding site for 20 minutes, so that it does not come into direct contact with the tissue.
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