Why Are My Gums Bleeding?
If your gums or your child’s gums bleed easily, it could be because of improper brushing and flossing techniques or the early stages of gum disease, but it could also be because of some underlying concern that encourages inflammation or affects blood flow in the body. The only way to know for sure is to visit a dentist if you notice bleeding from the gums after brushing and flossing for a week or more. In the meantime, it can be helpful to understand the many factors that might contribute to bleeding gums or make them more prone to bleeding.
Some factors that predispose people to gingival bleeding are less likely to be problems for children–for example, smoking and tobacco use, or ill-fitting dentures–though these things can certainly cause problems with the gums. Other issues are more common among children and younger people. These issues include:
- Using a toothbrush that’s too hard
- Brushing too hard or brushing with the frayed or broken bristles of an old toothbrush
- Certain medications, especially those that affect the blood or contribute to dry mouth
- Some medical conditions
- Inflammation in the gums caused by gum disease
- Flossing too aggressively or with improper motions can slice the gum tissue
- Damage or friction from orthodontic devices
- Intense hormone fluctuations that encourage inflammation in the gums
As a parent or guardian, it’s not up to you to pinpoint why your child’s gums might be bleeding, but it is up to you to take your child to the dentist if you notice bleeding, either consistently or intermittently, for a week or more. Gum disease can be reversed when intercepted early; when it’s not treated, however, it can progress to periodontal disease and ultimately lead to the destruction of the oral tissues and loss of teeth and bone. Gum disease and periodontal disease tend to be accompanied by additional symptoms beyond occasional bleeding, like bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth, an odd feeling with the bite, or visibly red or swollen gums. These common concerns can be prevented with effective, consistent home hygiene and routine visits to the dentist, which are habits that are best established early on and maintained throughout the lifespan. The dentist and dental hygienist can also help train you and your child on the most effective approaches to brushing and flossing, making sure that these daily actions don’t injure the gums while cleaning them.
Bleeding and swelling in the gums can also point to underlying inflammatory issues, such as certain medical conditions like diabetes or hemophilia, or the dramatic hormone surges that accompany puberty. Clearly, there isn’t really a treatment for puberty, but careful, effective brushing and flossing can limit gingival bleeding and reduce the likelihood of gum disease arising during this tumultuous time. Otherwise, managing underlying medical conditions may help reduce gum inflammation, and gum inflammation or bleeding can help dentists and doctors diagnose and therefore treat previously unknown conditions. Bleeding gums could also indicate a deficiency in certain vitamins, which can be determined with a simple blood test and treated with a revised diet and perhaps with vitamin supplements. In short, medical and dental attention are the best approaches to determining the cause of unusual gingival bleeding and to finding a solution.
Clearly, with underlying causes ranging from something as simple as flossing incorrectly to complex conditions like diabetes, dental evaluation is an important first step in pinpointing the reason for bleeding gums. If your child’s bleeding gums indicate an underlying concern, early intervention can make a significant difference in their oral health and possibly their overall health, now and well into their future. A simple dental visit could make a world of difference.
Related Article: What Causes Bleeding Gums?