Do Bleeding Gums Always Indicate Gum Disease? No – But They Usually Do
No one wants to see blood when they brush or floss their teeth, yet many people do. Most often, a person will assume that they are dealing with gum disease. They might be, but is this always the case? Keep reading to learn what other conditions can cause bleeding gums, and then contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to have your gum disease or other oral health issue treated.
Gum Disease Does Not Cause Bleeding
This may seem confusing when you have heard that bleeding = gum disease, but the truth is that though blood is commonly present when a person has gum disease, it is not actually the cause. The actual cause of bleeding gums is an injury to the gums. If you have gum disease, then they are likely to be swollen and inflamed, which is injurious and will cause bleeding. However, the gum disease is not directly causing the blood.
Gum Disease is a Major Issue for People All Across the Country
It is important to know that gum disease is much more than a minor annoyance – it is an epidemic that occurs all over the country. In fact, the stats show that one in two of all Americans has some form of gum disease. Do not assume that just because many people have it that it is not serious. The truth is that if it is left without treatment, it can cause tooth loss, serious decay, and other issues.
Other Possible Causes for Bleeding Gums
Now that you know that it is not gum disease itself that is causing the bleeding of your gums, you might wonder: is there something else that could be causing them to become inflamed and then bleed? While the most likely culprit is gum disease, it is true that some other causes can result in bleeding gums.
For example, you might have a reaction or infection that is causing your gums to become inflamed, which then causes bleeding. Certain blood-thinning medications have been shown to cause bleeding gums. Injury to your gums can cause bleeding. In fact, just brushing too hard or with a toothbrush that is too hard can injure your gums and cause bleeding. Finally, pregnant women often have inflamed gums that bleed.
Gum Disease is the First Thing to Rule Out
If you are dealing with bleeding gums, the first thing to do is to contact your dentist to set up an appointment for a dental cleaning and exam. We can determine if you are dealing with gum disease and take the appropriate actions if you are. Call California Dental Group now at (800) 407-0161 to make an appointment.
