Bleeding gums is not a disease, but a sign that should not be ignored, because this phenomenon, in addition to the usual damage to the mucous membrane, can hide serious diseases - gingivitis and periodontitis. Bleeding gums should not be ignored, as there is a high risk of developing severe consequences. The first symptoms of pathology are swelling and bleeding from the gums. Further, the clinical picture is as follows:
- temperature rising;
- dental deposits appear;
- eating hard food causes pain;
- gingival mucosa acquires a rich-bright color;
- quite a lot of blood comes out while brushing your teeth;
- periodontal canals deepen;
- there is an unpleasant smell from the oral cavity;
- gum swelling;
- when closing teeth, the individual feels discomfort, itching and pain.
The above symptoms manifest themselves to varying degrees depending on the existing pathology.
Reasons
Before selecting therapy, you should find out the cause of bleeding gums. Often this phenomenon is associated with a mechanical effect on the mucous membrane, a toothbrush, during normal brushing. As a result, a slight damage to the gums provokes bleeding. If the latter does not stop for several days, then it is advisable to visit a doctor, since bleeding can be a sign of periodontal disease or gingivitis. There are the following degrees of bleeding gums, which are determined by passing along the gingival sulcus with a periodontal probe:
- The first is a single appearance of blood.
- The second is bleeding along the edge of the interdental papilla.
- Third - the triangle between the teeth fills with blood.
- Fourth - blood covers the gum and tooth surface.
The bleeding index also determines the severity of gingivitis. In addition, bleeding occurs during pregnancy, lack of vitamins, weakening of the immune system, poor-quality oral care, taking certain medications, the presence of tartar, soft plaque and bad habits (smoking). Vitamin deficiency also affects the condition of the mucosa. Avitaminosis is one of the main causes of bleeding gums. A lack of vitamin C can lead to a condition called scurvy. A small amount of B vitamins is a harbinger of inflammatory processes and mucosal lesions inoral cavity. Vitamin K affects blood clotting, and its deficiency leads to bleeding and inflammation. A lack of vitamin E provokes the development of periodontitis. With periodontal disease, gum bleeding is a constant phenomenon during brushing your teeth, eating solid foods, such as apples, nuts. This pathology is also characterized by pain in the gum area. The following diseases and conditions provoke the development of the disease:
- atherosclerosis;
- hereditary predisposition;
- diabetes mellitus;
- disturbances in the digestive system;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- low immunity.
Signs of periodontal disease, in which the gums are inflamed and bleed heavily, include:
- deformation of interdental septa;
- deepening periodontal pockets;
- rotten breath and bleeding gums;
- mobility and tooth loss;
- inflammatory process in the oral cavity;
- throbbing pain in the gums.
There are several known reasons that provoked this ailment:
- mechanical injury of the oral mucosa;
- hormonal failure;
- chronic diseases of the kidneys, digestive tract, endocrine system (diabetes mellitus);
- genetic predisposition.
The causes of bleeding gums during pregnancy and lactation are directly related to hormonal changes. After its normalization, this unpleasant phenomenon disappears on its own.
Periodontosis
This disease develops mainly in adulthood and old age and is characterized by loosening of the teeth. In the younger generation and children, periodontal disease is rarely diagnosed. In exceptional cases, the disease occurs in pregnant women. The development and exacerbation of the pathology affects the area of one or can spread to several teeth in the upper and lower jaws. Sometimes the disease develops due to a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body of the individual. With periodontal disease, gum bleeding is the main symptom that appears during hygiene procedures. Each time the amount of bleeding increases. Due to damage to hard tissues, the enamel becomes thinner and there is an increased sensitivity of the teeth, which is felt when eating sour, cold or hot food. The neck and root of the tooth are exposed. There are several stages of periodontal disease:
- Mild - no symptoms. Tissue damage can only be seen on an x-ray.
- Medium - there are complaints of tooth sensitivity. Deformation of the tissues is visible when examining the oral cavity.
- Heavy - bite changes. X-ray shows complete destruction of bone tissue.
The reasons for the development of periodontal disease are:
- improper oral care and lack of treatment of the inflammatory process;
- hereditary factor;
- diseases of the digestive tract and diabetes;
- plaque and calculus.
Untimely treatment provokes a complication - flux, which is an inflammation of the periosteum. The patient's gums swell, purulent discharge and pain appear. The inflammatory process also affects other organs, such as the eyes, throat, nose. Tooth loss is observed in especially severe cases.
Bleeding gums: therapy
First of all, the treatment of bleeding gums is to remove soft plaque and hard dental deposits that provoke the development of inflammation in the gums. This manipulation is called ultrasonic cleaning and it is carried out in a dental clinic. The number of sessions is individual and depends on the amount of dental deposits. After the procedure, teeth are polished. Further, a ten-day course of anti-inflammatory therapy is prescribed using a 0.05% solution for rinsing "Chlorhexidine" and applications with the drug "Cholisal" or "Metrogyl Denta". With bleeding gums, the algorithm of actions is as follows:
- After breakfast and oral hygiene, rinse it for 60 minutes with a solution of Chlorhexidine.
- Blot the gum mucosa with a dry swab of gauze.
- Apply Holisal or Metrogyl Denta gel around all teeth. The latter is contraindicated in children under six years of age and in the first trimester of pregnancy, the former is approved for use by pregnant and lactating women.
- Do not eat for three hours after gum treatment.
With gingivitis, these procedures are carried out at home, and with periodontal disease, it is necessary to visit the clinic, as washing of periodontalpockets that only a doctor can do. At the last stage, the individual is taught how to properly care for the oral cavity.
Products used in oral hygiene
In pharmacies and stores there is a fairly large selection of therapeutic toothpastes for bleeding gums. However, it should be remembered that the paste only helps to remove the signs of the disease, and not cure it. The effect of using such a paste will be noticeable only after removing dental deposits. The following are toothpastes that help deal with symptoms such as swelling, bleeding, redness of the gums, pain when brushing:
- "Lakalut Active" contains the antiseptic chlorhexidine, active ingredients in the form of bisabolol and allantoin, which reduce inflammation in the gums, aluminum fluoride - mineralizes weakened enamel, aluminum lactate - has an astringent effect and reduces tooth sensitivity. The duration of its use should not exceed three weeks. Effective for the rapid removal of bleeding and swelling of the gums. After removing acute symptoms, use a paste without an antiseptic.
- "Lakalut Phytoformula" has in its composition plant components with anti-inflammatory action and aluminum lactate. The fluorine included in its composition strengthens the enamel and prevents the development of caries. Suitable for long-term use.
- "Parodontax" contains a large number of plant extracts that have astringent, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hemostatic effect. Due to the presencemineral s alts paste has a s alty taste.
- "Parodontol Active", like the previous one, is rich in extracts of medicinal plants. The hydroxyapatite component helps to reduce sensitivity and mineralize tooth enamel.
When bleeding gums, it is recommended to use a brush with soft bristles for the duration of treatment. However, it is undesirable to use it for more than two weeks, since plaque is removed poorly. After the inflammation subsides, you should return to the brush with medium bristles.
Using the experience of alternative medicine
There are quite a few folk remedies for bleeding gums. All of them are aimed at improving the condition of the gums, reducing soreness, bleeding and are used as additional methods to the main anti-inflammatory treatment. From medicinal plant materials, which have a hemostatic, antibacterial, astringent, anti-inflammatory effect, at home you can prepare decoctions, infusions, solutions that rinse the mouth after each meal. The following herbs are used for this:
- sage;
- chamomile;
- nettle;
- water pepper;
- celandine;
- sorrel;
- St. John's wort;
- badan.
If it is not possible to see a doctor in the near future, and the gums are bleeding, what should I do at home in this case? Use the following methods:
- Cut a leaf of aloe along and attach to the gum - this is one of the most effective and simpleways to treat bleeding.
- Massage the gums with cranberries several times a day.
- Grate raw beetroot and apply to the gums. It is best to do this procedure at night.
- You can chew plantain leaves, pine needles, oak branches several times a day.
- Rinse your mouth with sea s alt solution.
- It disinfects well, prevents the spread of inflammation and helps to cope with bleeding ordinary hydrogen peroxide. With a cotton swab dipped in this solution, wipe the gums.
The above methods will help alleviate the condition, but will not get rid of the problem, so do not put off a visit to the dental clinic.
Use rinse aids
Bleeding gum rinse helps remove bacterial plaque and food debris stuck between teeth. In addition, these solutions have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic and hemostatic effects. When bleeding are recommended for use:
- Solutions or elixirs of factory production, which are sold in pharmacies.
- Solutions prepared at home.
- Infusions and decoctions from medicinal plant materials in the form of finished dosage forms or prepared independently.
- Pharmacy-made antibacterials.
Most famous mouthwashes:
- "Total Pro" - disinfects the oral cavity, strengthens bloodvessels. Recommended for periodontitis.
- "Asepta" - promotes faster healing of the gum mucosa after surgery. Has an analgesic effect.
- R. O. C. S. - Prevents inflammation by destroying disease-causing microbes. Long-term use allows you to completely remove bleeding gums.
- "Forest balm for bleeding" - due to its natural components, it has a pronounced hemostatic property, strengthens the blood vessels of the gums. Recommended for daily use in gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gum problems in pregnant women
Bleeding gums during pregnancy is common. The reason for this phenomenon lies in the inflammatory process that occurs in soft tissues, which is provoked by hormonal failure. The sluggish inflammation that a woman had before conception develops as a result of active hormonal changes in the body. A high concentration of female hormonal substances, toxicosis, a lack of calcium and a change in the composition of saliva contribute to the occurrence of pathological bleeding. According to medical statistics, bleeding gums during pregnancy caused by inflammation in the gums increases the risk of premature delivery. In addition, the disease also affects the he alth of the unborn baby. The consequences of the disease are manifested in a child by caries of milk teeth and a lack of weight.
The initial symptoms of gingivitis usually appear in the third or fourth month of pregnancy. There are several formsinflammatory process:
- Catarrhal - occurs in the first half of pregnancy. It is characterized by pain during brushing teeth, swelling, bleeding gums, and an unpleasant odor. Inflamed areas of the mucosa acquire a reddish color, and the gingival papillae become domed. This stage of the disease can manifest itself in both mild and severe form, in which the lesion captures the entire gum. Untimely treatment of bleeding gums at this stage contributes to the transition of the pathology to the chronic phase and the development of the next form of gingivitis.
- Hypertrophic - rarely detected. One of its main signs is a significant increase in the gingival papillae and the gums themselves. The edematous form of the disease is characterized by bleeding not only during the period of exposure to the gums, but also at rest, for example, in sleep. Bleeding is rare in the fibrous form.
Complex treatment during pregnancy
What to do with bleeding gums in pregnant women? First of all, visit a doctor who will remove tartar and plaque. To disinfect the oral cavity, the doctor uses the antiseptic drug Chlorhexidine, which should not be swallowed. Then, anti-inflammatory treatment is prescribed. Special ointments or gels, approved for use by pregnant women, are applied to diseased areas of the gums for several hours. Due to the fact that sugar contributes to the formation of plaque to a greater extent, it is recommended to reduce its consumption to a minimum. If a pregnant woman can't resist candy orcake, then be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly immediately after eating it. The next step is to support immunity and saturate the body with vitamins A, D, C and group B, which are obtained by taking certain foods, as well as vegetables, fruits and berries:
- blackberry;
- broccoli;
- onion;
- kiwi;
- cabbage;
- strawberry;
- and others.
For optimal results, you need to consult a doctor who, together with the treatment, will help you choose the right set of products for proper nutrition.
Treatment of bleeding gums at different times
In each period of pregnancy, there are features on which the choice of therapy will depend:
- First trimester. At this time, any intervention is significantly limited, but a visit to the dentist should not be neglected. To remove dental plaque, ultrasonic and laser cleaning is contraindicated, but the use of a polishing brush and paste is allowed, as well as removal of tartar with hand tools.
- The second trimester is considered the best period for dental procedures. For cleaning, the same methods are used as in the previous trimester. Next, prescribe anti-inflammatory treatment with external agents.
- Third trimester - treatment is similar to that described in the first trimester.
In addition, the dentist will advise you on how to alleviate your condition yourself when your gums bleed. What to do inat home? Of the methods of traditional medicine, a light massage is recommended, which is performed with a soft toothbrush with fine sea s alt. Movements are performed without pressure, carefully so as not to damage the inflamed gums. Rinsing with a solution of soda is also shown. The best prevention for gingivitis is clean teeth. However, it is not advisable to use an electric toothbrush. Pregnant women can use dental floss. Professional teeth cleaning is recommended four times during the entire waiting period of the baby.
Prevention measures
Precautions to help prevent gum disease and bleeding:
- Regular dental checkups.
- Maintain personal hygiene.
- Following the recommendations of the dentist to care for the gums and teeth.
- Do not start caries, consult a doctor in a timely manner.
- If possible, include in the diet more fruits and vegetables rich in minerals and vitamins or take ready-made complexes.
- Limit high-sugar foods.
- Include freshly squeezed juices, sea s alt, spicy spices (sesame, cinnamon) in the diet, which help to cope with the inflammatory process and stop the reproduction of pathogens.
- Change your toothbrush once a month. When choosing it, give preference to bristles of medium hardness. It should be remembered that brushes made of natural materials contribute to a more intensive reproduction of pathogenic microbes.
- Do not use if bleeding occurswhitening pastes, as they irritate the gums and aggravate the inflammatory process in them.
- Wipe the gums with a swab dipped in ice water.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day for five to seven minutes, carefully removing food debris from the interdental spaces using dental floss.
If you follow simple measures to prevent bleeding gums, then a he althy and snow-white smile will be your constant companion.
