Bleeding gums typically come on very quickly and usually only bleed during brushing and flossing. In cases of severe gum disease, your gums may bleed sporadically, even if you're just smiling.
Gums should not bleed if you brush and floss properly on a regular basis. If you arent a routine flosser, bacteria buildup below the gums may cause your gums to bleed each time you brush. This can also spread along the gumlines and bleed when you brush your gums. If treatment is delayed, the bleeding usually worsens.
Gum swelling, red gums or sore gums may also accompany bleeding. Tooth sensitivity may occur as well, and may be due to gum recession from the infected, bleeding gums.
Progression
Bleeding gums are usually a sign that something else is going on in your mouth. Be it a localized area that has an old filling that needs to be replaced, heavy tartar buildup, bone loss or gum disease, bleeding can signal that you need to up your oral hygiene or else see your dentist.
When left untreated, bleeding gums that are associated with one of the above conditions can become more problematic. It should be seen as an early warning sign that prevents you from having broken teeth, tooth loss or severe gum disease.
Infected gums usually begin with bleeding, but can easily progress into:
Gum recession
Gum swelling
Tenderness
Redness
Destruction of gum tissues
Bone loss
Tooth loss
Underlying Gum Issues/Conditions
Bleeding is a sign of infection and is usually associated with gingivitis or gum disease. When left untreated, gum disease can and often does lead to:
Bad breath
Gum recession
Bone loss
Loose teeth
Tooth loss
Association With Systemic Health Concerns
When the gums bleed they allow plaque from your mouth to travel through the body to other areas. This places an increased strain on your immune system and makes it more difficult to treat other conditions. Systemic diseases that are often associated with gum infections include:
Stroke
Heart attack
Diabetes
Obesity
Premature birth
Erectile dysfunction
and many more.
In rare cases, bleeding gums can also be a symptom of underlying diseases or other systemic health conditions ranging from anything such as anemia to leukemia. If your bleeding gums don't improve, please seek medical attention.
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Reviewed By:
Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.