Speaking from personal experience, bleeding gums can be really scary and sometimes, painful! The first time I noticed my gums bleeding was while I was brushing my teeth one morning, and it scared the life out of me because honestly, I was terrified of going to the dentist. So I did what I always do, a whole lot of digging on the internet. So here is all that I found.
Bleeding gums or Pyorrhea (also known as periodontitis) is an advanced form of periodontal disease which causes infection and damage to the bones surrounding your teeth. Proper dental care keeps pyorrhea from developing, and also treats the consequences of this condition. It is caused by multiple health factors, not always be limited to dental related causes.
Periodontitis is caused by a building up of bacteria on the gums and teeth. Though it is a common condition, advanced forms of this periodontitis can lead to tissue and bone loss. If not treated, the bone loss can become irrecoverable leading to a possible loss of teeth.
The very first stage of gum disease is Gingivitis. Plaque on your gums and teeth that develop and is not removed by brushing & flossing infects the gums and leads to the symptoms of gingivitis. Due to gingivitis, your gums may become swollen and tender; sometimes this makes your gums bleed while you're brushing. This early stage of the disease can be dealt with proper brushing and flossing habits as well as regular dental checkups.
Blood thinning medicines may be one of the possible causes of bleeding gums. Blood thinners slow down your blood's ability to clot, which can easily lead to gum bleeding. An insufficient amount of some minerals and vitamins (particularly niacin, calcium and folic acid deficiencies) also cause dental issues.
People with certain health conditions are also prone to pyorrhea. These health conditions mostly include those with genetic blood disorders.
People who smoke face a higher risk of experiencing bleeding gums. Smoking tends to cause an increase in periodontal disease. Inhaled smoke leaves stubborn toxins on your teeth that are difficult to remove even if your try to maintain a proper oral hygiene. These unhealthy substances can cause your gums to become vulnerable and bleed. People accustomed to smoking have a compromised immune response towards any type of infection and have issues with proper oxygenation of the blood supply. All these factors negatively influence your gums.
If the daily required nutritional value of fresh vegetables and fruit as well as grains, dairy and protein is not met then you could be risking your gums for inflammation and the diseases that are caused by it. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition/balanced diet is the key not just for a healthy body but also a healthy mouth. A combination of overall health and a good oral hygiene is the best prevention.
If your gums are traumatized with a hard bristle toothbrush, it can make them swell and bleed. Not brushing at all, brushing too hard, forgetting to floss or a final rinse with mouthwash all impact negatively on your gums and teeth. A committed regular and careful oral hygiene routine is a must for each person to ward off dental or oral diseases.
Carbohydrates from sugary and starchy foods such as potato chips, oily food, and junk food are the worst food debris offenders. They stick to your teeth and gums for a long period of time if they are not removed promptly
Hormonal changes that occur during the time of pregnancy and menstruation can increase the chances of having bleeding gums. Some women experience a regular hormonal fluctuation gingivitis associated with their monthly cycle. Hormonal changes during pregnancy also accelerate the risk of developing periodontitis or gingivitis.
The symptoms of pyorrhea are related to the symptoms of gingivitis and are most perceptible on the gums. The gums may appear red or purple and have a shiny appearance. Pain in gums is not a normal symptom. Although, the gums may be tender to touch and will cause bleeding regularly when brushed. Swollen gums are also a common symptom in some people.
Diseases like gingivitis can be caused by the deficiency of Vitamin C. Fruits like lemons, broccoli, oranges, and cabbage are the best sources of Vitamin C. Consume plenty of these fruits and vegetables to make up for this deficiency. Additionally, you can also opt for Vitamin C health supplements.
Try Making A Lemon Mouth Wash On Your Own
Lemons are packed with vitamin C and help in maintaining healthy gums.
Squeeze one lemon in a glass of water and use it after every meal to rinse your mouth. It is a great mouth freshener and will help in arresting bleeding in your gums.
Milk is one of the best home remedies when it comes to treating bleeding gums (of course, if you're not lactose intolerant). We all know that milk is extremely rich in calcium and, hence, can be employed as an effective home remedy for your bleeding gums. Milk also contains natural essential proteins and vitamins. But, keep in mind that milk is not just rich in calcium, it is also a source of fat. So, when you consume milk, fat might stick to your gum which is not a good thing for healthy gums. Therefore, it is important to brush your teeth after consuming milk. Usually, dentists advise not to drink milk an hour before going to bed. You should drink at least 500 ml milk every day in order to treat bleeding gums.
Another one of the most effective treatments to treat or cure gingivitis and other diseases related to gums is clove. Rub your gums with a bit of clove oil or just chew on a piece or two of cloves. Don't worry if you experience a burning sensation, that's what is supposed to happen. This means that the disease would be cured. Clove oil helps in reducing the inflammation of gums and stops your gums from bleeding to a larger extent.
If you experience gum bleeding them I'm sure someone must have suggested you to gargle with salt. It is the most common home remedy for dental issues. Not just that, you can find salt in your kitchen at any given time.
All you have to do is just add a little bit of salt to lukewarm water and gargle three times a day for a week or as per your requirement. But be careful, do not to use hot water (only lukewarm water) to avoid scalding.
Baking soda (Sodium Bi-Carbonate) is another easy to use home remedy for bleeding gums. You can find baking soda lying somewhere around your kitchen, if not, then no worries, it's easily available in the market.
Simply dip your toothbrush in the baking soda powder and brush your teeth normally, the way you brush your teeth with the toothpaste. Another thing that you can do is, make a solution of water and baking soda and swish around in your mouth (almost like a mouthwash) a couple of times.
We all know that fresh veggies and raw veggies are great for our overall health improvement. Almost all vegetables are rich in vitamin content and low in calories and fats. Chewing raw vegetables will help in improving blood circulation in your gums and therefore, may help in reducing and treating the bleeding in your gums.
Some mouthwashes contain peppermint oil, sage oil, clove oil or chamomile tincture. Toothpaste or mouthwashes that contain these oils are extremely good for the health of your teeth and gums.
Tea tree oil and peppermint essential oil possess amazing antibacterial properties that can help in killing excess bacteria which causes you to have bad breath. Tea tree oil eases the pain that you experience due to pyorrhea.
Here's what you can do to make tea tree oil mouthwash at home: Add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil and 1 drop of peppermint essential oil in a cup of fresh water. Swirl (don't drink!) for half a minute or a minute and spit it out.
Extra virgin olive oil is composed of oleic acid and other flavonoids which are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in nature. If you experience inflammation of gums along with pyorrhea then extra virgin olive oil can be one of the best home treatments.
Take a spoonful of extra virgin olive oil and add a drop of peppermint oil or tea tree oil for freshness and swish around your mouth for just a couple of seconds and then spit it out. This will wash away all the toxins stuck on your gums. You should repeat it at least three times a day for immediate results.
Black seed oil is known to be a miracle cure for the treatment of any gum related condition. It contains anti-microbial properties and helps in fighting against harmful bacteria in your mouth. This is how you should use black seed oil to treat your gums- first, brush your teeth and then with a few drops of black seed oil massage your gums. Alternatively, you can also swirl the oil around your mouth like a mouthwash and then spit. Also, you can make an effective oral hygiene solution with this oil by adding a few drops of black seed oil to a lukewarm glass of water and using it as a mouthwash.
Yes, honey is sweet, but it is also beneficial for your gums thanks to its anti-bacterial properties. Honey is highly rich in vitamins and minerals that provide the necessary nutrients required for maintaining healthy gums. Prefer using organic honey for your gums. Rub it on your gums at least twice a day.
Alum works amazingly against the redness and inflammation of the bleeding gums. It is an antiseptic and natural astringent. Diseases like gingivitis cause your gums to bleed, become red and sore. Alum helps to prevent food deposits in your gums by tightening the gums and reducing the gap between your gums and teeth. Mix a little bit of alum in warm water and gargle with it at least three times a day (after each meal if possible) to get rid of bleeding gums.
Garlic is a really powerful antibiotic. When combined with organic honey, it forms a highly effective anti bacterial tonic for your gums. Rub the paste on your gums carefully, and don't worry if you a slight feel burning sensation.
Gum massage plays a very important role in maintaining healthy gums. It helps in preventing bleeding gums and also helps in curing it. Massage your gums twice a day (after brushing your teeth). Gently massage your gums by using your index finger and thumb. You may notice a slight increase in bleeding initially, but don't worry, it can happen due to the pressure, it will gradually stop.
Here's what you've got to do - Take half a cup of extra virgin olive oil and mix 7 to 8 drops of tea tree oil, 5 drops of black seed oil, 5 drops of myrrh oil, 3 to 4 drops of peppermint essential oil and 3 drops of lemon oil. Massage the solution on your gums each time after you're done brushing your teeth.
Hi! I’m Gunjan, a self-proclaimed tea fanatic and intrigued with alternative ways to lead a healthy life. I firmly believe that we should take care of our bodies because it’s the only place we live in.
