Bleeding Gum ,Gum Problem or Gingivitis & Periodontist

Bleeding Gum 

This is one of the common health problem which i have seen my daily practice. Some time common people bleeding from any ulcer or bleeding from mouth is miss understood with gum bleeding. Make sure the origin of bleeding. If you are having bleeding then visit doctor. Bleeding of gum causes bad breath. If you are having gum bleeding, then it can be cured.

Causes of Gum bleeding:
Dental Problem: Gum problem or Gingivitis or Periodontitis, 
                             Ulcer in mouth OR Trauma

General & other health Problems: Diabetics, HIV, Poor Nutrition, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic purpura, Dengue, Cardiac problem, Hypertension, Medicine like Aspirin, some Pain killer, Oral Contraceptives, Anti-depressants etc. can cause gum bleeding.

I will discuss on Dental problems which can cause gum bleeding.

Dental Problems:

Gum Problem or Gingivitis & Periodontis:

Gum is the supporting & which surrounding tooth. Gum disease, also known as Gingivitis & Periodontist, is an infection of the gums that surrounding the teeth structure. It is also one of the main causes of Bleeding gum & tooth loss among adults.  There are two major stages of Gum disease: Gingivitis and Periodontitis. Gum disease can increased space in between tooth, causes increased gap in between tooth. If this problem is untreated the it can cause tooth loss. 

Diseased gum & health gum photo

Causes of Gum disease: 

Gum disease can be caused by a number of factors, but poor oral hygiene is the most common cause.  Mainly Dental Plaque & Calculus causes Gum problems. Your mouth is full of bacteria that combine with saliva to form a sticky film known as plaque, which builds up on your teeth. This plaque later becomes hard on the tooth,its call Calculus. When you take food or drink high in carbohydrates (sugary or starchy foods), bacteria in plaque turn carbohydrates into the energy they need, producing acid, this acid causes irritation of gums, making them inflamed & gum disease. 

Periodontal infections are usually mixed, most often involving anaerobes such as Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas gingivalis. The microaerophile Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans causes a rare form known as localized Juvenile Periodontitis.

Risk factor for gum disease:

• Poor Oral hygiene
• Tobacco
• Family history of gum disease
• Malnutrition & Vitamins deficiency
• Diabetes
• Age – Gum disease becomes more common in older people
• Weakened immune system – HIV and AIDS or certain, Malignancy. 
• Chemotherapy & Radiotherapy
• Malocclusion & Traumatic Occlusion
• Hormonal changes in girls/women

Symptoms: 
The symptoms include Bad breath, Red, Swollen, Bleeding gums,Tender, Sensitive teeth, Painful chewing & Loss teeth. At early stage gum becomes Red & swollen, if its not treated it causes bleeding gum and later tooth becomes weak leads to tooth loss. Commonly gum infection causes Tenderness of tooth or dull pain on the tooth or  jaw.

Prevention:

• Rinse water after every food, sometime use Chlorhexidine mouthwash.
• Stick to gentle, twice-daily brushing with a soft bristle or electric brush, use proper toothpaste. Use Dental Floss.
• Floss once daily & you can massage gum with your finger.
• Chewing habit of hard & fibrous food is a good habit, don't take always soft or liquid food.
• Avoid Tobacco 
• Also be sure to schedule regular dentist visits for plaque and tartar removal. Every 6 month visit Dentist for scaling treatment,for prevention of gum problem.

Treatments:
Antiseptic mouthwashes containing Chlorhexidine is given or Betadine gargle is recommended. Oral prophylaxis(Scaling) for gum disease or Root planning needed for Periodontics. For Gingivitis & Periodontist Scaling is the primary & important basic treatment to remove the causative factor Plaque & Calculus. If you have severe gum disease, you may need further treatment, such as periodontal surgery. In some cases, it's necessary to remove the affected tooth. Commonly Antibiotics like Metronidazole, Doxycycline, Amoxicillin is used upon the condition, painkiller used to reduce pain. Take medicine after dentist advice. For severe Periodontal problem Surgical Interventions needed: If none of these other gum infection treatments work, your dentist may recommend surgery. There are several surgery options, including a gingivectomy, flap procedure or even a tooth extraction.

Ulcer in mouth OR Trauma

Bleeding in the mouth is often caused by mouth sores or by a low platelet count. Low platelet counts can be a side effect of chemo or radiation treatment. Bleeding ulcer can be a Cancer. Impaction of any particle or trauma can cause gum bleeding.


Conclusion: Bleeding gum can be cured, don't neglect it, immediately visit Dentist. Maintain Oral hygiene, at least every year get Scaling treatment, use proper mouth wash, brush twice daily & don't use hard brush, electric brush is also good. Every 6 month visit Dentist for scaling treatment,for prevention of gum problem. I give one suggestion every time don't eat soft or liquid food, Chewing habit of hard & fibrous food is a good for your gum. Habit of Chewing improve the blood circulation in gum, gives you a healthy gum. Don't take tobacco.