Your gums can bleed for different reasons. No need to be alarmed, but the problem should not be taken too lightly either. Our dentists explain below the main reasons why your gums can bleed and give you recommendations to solve the most common problems.

First, let’s take the time to reassure you: if your gums bleed very occasionally, after eating food for example, or after brushing your teeth particularly hard that time, there is generally no worries there. Your gums are just irritated, and the problem should resolve itself after a few days at most.

You suffer from gingivitis

This is unfortunately the most common cause, and it requires your attention. If your gums are red, look a little swollen, hurt and bleed, all the signs of gingivitis are there. Gingivitis is caused by the accumulation of dental plaque and therefore a good dental cleaning is required to solve the problem. You will also need to improve your oral hygiene. Be careful, gingivitis is not dramatic, but if it is not treated, it can evolve into periodontitis, and we then speak of a serious disease. Don’t let things get worse!

You suffer from periodontitis

As mentioned above, periodontitis is the evolution of gingivitis into a more serious disease. At this stage, it is no longer just the gums that are affected, but the entire attachment system of the tooth. You may notice that some teeth move, and periodontitis is the main cause of tooth loss in adults. Learn more about periodontal disease by reading our dedicated article on this subject.

You have an ulcer or wound on the gum

Sometimes the bleeding does not come from the gums directly, but rather from an ulcer. If you notice sores in your mouth and pain, you may have a mouth ulcer. About 20% of people will have one in their lifetime, so don’t panic. Most ulcers heal on their own, but you can always contact your dentist or pharmacist for advice on treatment if you have an ulcer that doesn’t seem to want to go away or is causing you too much pain.

You suffer from certain illnesses

Finally, certain diseases can increase your chances of bleeding gums. We can think of hemophilia, leukemia, uremia, vascular diseases, diabetes or cancer. Discuss this with your medical and dental team if this applies to you.

What we want you to remember is that bleeding gums are something to be taken seriously. As we are talking about gingivitis in most cases, it is important not to delay making an appointment with our team of dentists so as not to allow the disease to worsen. After all, we wish you healthy gums!