Bleeding gums present as a minor annoyance in most cases. A person may see some blood when they spit or after wiping their mouths at meals. Blood may also be noticed when brushing teeth. Gums bleed for a number of different reasons, but our dentist in Lakeview says that all of them indicate the presence of a problem.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the most common cause of bleeding gums. Gingivitis is a disease that causes gum tissue to swell. The swelling makes the gums susceptible to tearing when brush, coming into contact with hard foods or other minor abrasions that should not harm the gums. Gingivitis is typically caused by not keeping teeth clean.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a dental condition that results from untreated gingivitis. While gingivitis mainly causes swelling, periodontitis typically includes infections, bad breath and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Periodontitis causes gums to pull away from teeth, to shrink in size and can even cause damage to the bone structure of the jaw.
Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth generally erupt when a person is a young adult, but they may come earlier or later in life. Wisdom teeth can make gums bleed as they are moving through the gums and into the mouth. Wisdom teeth generally cause a lot of pain.
Other Causes
Pregnant women are more likely to develop bleeding gums than other people. Diabetes and blood thinning medications can also cause an increase in bleeding. Poor fitting dentures, braces and other dental appliances can also cause bleeding.
Bleeding gums are not uncommon, but they should not be ignored. Those who have bleeding gums need to see a dentist in order to determine how to correct the problem. Those needing a dentist in Lakeview and the surrounding area should contact Northalsted Dental Spa. Northalsted Dental Spa can be contacted by phone at 773-296-0325 or via their website.
