3 Serious Causes Of Bleeding Gums And How To Treat Them

31 August 2015
 Categories: Dentist, Articles

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There are many different causes of bleeding gums, from pregnancy to ill-fitting dentures. Some causes of bleeding gums are related to a more serious condition and need proper care for treatment so you can avoid further complications. Here are three serious causes for bleeding gums and what you can do about them.

Periodontal Disease

Your dentist, like Dale D. Lentz DDS, advises you to brush and floss your teeth often so you can remove the build-up of plaque that collects on your teeth. If you don't clean off the plaque, it will harden and form tartar. As tartar forms around the gum line of your teeth, it irritates your gums, causing swollen, red, and bleeding gums. When your gums are irritated from the tartar on your teeth, they pull away from your teeth. It is recommended you get regular checkups so your dentist can clean your teeth to remove any tartar and plaque build-up, preventing gingivitis.  

Once your gums recede away from your teeth, they form a pocket that can collect food and bacteria, worsening your gum irritation and bleeding. If your gingivitis and bleeding gums are not treated, you will get periodontal disease. Periodontal disease left unchecked can cause your teeth to fall out and the infection can spread to other parts of your body. 

Your dentist can do a deep cleaning of your teeth, teeth roots, and gums to remove any periodontal disease and inflamed tissue. After, your gums should heal on their own. Though you may need surgery to reduce damage to the roots of your teeth to prevent tooth loss.

Herpangina

Herpangina is contagious, caused by the Coxsackie virus, and is spread by saliva and mouth-to-mouth contact, as well as by contact with an infected person's stools. The Coxsackie virus causes ulcers to form inside your mouth, throat, and on your gums, and often on your hands, feet, and buttocks. Your gums can become swollen and bleed when you brush your teeth. In addition to the ulcers, you may have headaches, fever, chills, and loss of appetite. Your throat can become covered in ulcers, so it can be painful and difficult to eat, drink, or talk. Herpangina is caused by a virus, so you must wait for your body's immune system to kill the virus, usually in a week. In the meantime, treat your symptoms and make sure to stay hydrated.

Ibuprofen and acetaminophen won't do much to relieve the pain caused by your mouth ulcers and bleeding gums. Instead, try making a mouthwash from liquid children's allergy medication and liquid bismuth subsalicylate. Mix them together in equal amounts to make a mouthwash that will give your ulcers pain relief. The mouthwash also helps the ulcers to heal faster. Take a tablespoon of the mixture and swish it around in your mouth for approximately 30 seconds, then spit it out. Repeat this as often as necessary until your ulcers heal.

Ebola

The world's largest outbreak of Ebola, which killed over 6,000 people, has been contained. With this Ebola outbreak, cases occurred in Africa, Spain, and here in the United States. It is important to know the symptoms that occur with Ebola because the disease is spread through direct physical contact with an infected person's bodily fluids. Ebola is a contagious and deadly virus which is known to live outside a host for as long as a few days at room temperature. 

When your body is infected with the Ebola virus, the virus replicates itself inside your body and blocks your body's immune response. As your body's cells become infected, they burst and release cytokines into your body. As the cytokines increase, you will begin to experience flu-like symptoms of body aches, headache, chills, and fever. Your body can later begin to bleed from its mucous membranes, including your gums, nose, and eyes.

Mortality rate for the latest Ebola outbreak has been 60 percent with the right supportive care, but Ebola in the past has had up to a 90 percent fatality rate. If you have been exposed to Ebola virus and are showing some of these symptoms, it is important to go to the nearest hospital so you can get the care you need to survive the virus, and avoid contact with other people so you don't spread it any further.

These three causes of bleeding gums are serious and should be treated accordingly.