What causes bleeding gums?
Disease description:
I noticed a small amount of blood on my toothbrush while brushing my teeth these days. Upon self-examination, I observed that my gums were bleeding. I would like to ask the doctor what might be causing this gum bleeding?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Chao
Bleeding gums, medically often referred to as gingival bleeding, is one of the common symptoms encountered in dental clinics. The following are some factors that may lead to gingival bleeding:
1. Improper brushing: Accumulation of plaque, food debris, and soft deposits in the mouth over time can irritate the gums, leading to gingivitis. The gingival tissue may become congested and swollen. Alternatively, using a toothbrush with bristles that are too hard or brushing too aggressively may cause rupture of capillaries, resulting in bleeding.
2. Vitamin C deficiency: Vitamin C is essential for maintaining the health of gum tissue. When the body lacks vitamin C, the capillaries in the gum tissue become more fragile and prone to bleeding.
3. Hormonal changes: In women, elevated levels of sex hormones or progesterone may cause non-specific inflammation in the gum tissue even with minimal irritation, resulting in increased bleeding and exudation.
4. Systemic diseases: Conditions such as blood disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and impaired liver or kidney function can also predispose individuals to gingival inflammation or coagulation disorders.
