If you notice that your gums bleed, the first thing you need to do, without a doubt, is consult a professional in order to determine the cause of the problem and the type of treatment that is required.

Why do gums bleed?

There are various causes of bleeding gums. Below are some of the most common:

• Build-up of tartar in the area around the gums. This causes an infection known as gingivitis and results in the gradual deterioration of the gum tissue.
• Excessively intense brushing and/or incorrect use of dental floss, or the use of a toothbrush that is not suitable for your gums’ needs.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
• An unhealthy and unbalanced diet.
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy.
• Diseases such as diabetes, leukemia and scurvy, or the frequent use of coagulant medication.
• Stress.

There is another factor that should also be taken into account: namely, the patient’s own genetics. There are people who may be more susceptible to having gingivitis (which can be hereditary) and, therefore, more susceptible to having their gums bleed.

What should I do?

This is the big question! Fortunately, we have an answer for you; in fact, the answer is very simple, and we mentioned it just a few lines earlier. Your dentist is an expert who will be able to examine your gums and diagnose the causes of the bleeding. However, it is important to act quickly: the sooner we can apply the remedy, the easier it will be to resolve the bleeding.

In addition to improving your oral hygiene habits and diet, the dentist will develop the necessary treatment plan, adjusted to suit each patient in accordance with the origin and cause of their gingivitis. This treatment may simply consist of a deep dental cleaning (for less serious cases) or curettage and root planing to completely remove all of the built-up plaque.

At Oris Dental Clinic, located in the heart of the neighborhood of Les Corts in Barcelona, we have the specialists and techniques to resolve the problem and discomfort of bleeding gums.