A vitamin B-12 deficiency occurs if your body does not receive enough of this nutrient from your diet or if you body is unable to properly absorb vitamin B-12 from the food you ingest. When your body is deficient in vitamin B-12, it is unable to produce a sufficient amount of red blood cells, which can lead to the development of a condition called pernicious anemia. If you develop symptoms of a vitamin B-12 deficiency, including gum symptoms, contact your doctor for further evaluation and care.
Bleeding Gums
Low levels of vitamin B-12 may cause bleeding of your gums, according to MedlinePlus. You may notice that your gums bleed easily after you brush or floss your teeth. If you develop bleeding gums, you may also experience pain or tenderness along your gum line. These gum symptoms of a vitamin B-12 deficiency may also be signs of alternate dental problems, including gingivitis. Seek care from a medical professional if you develop recurrent bleeding of your gums to ensure your receive appropriate care.
Pale Gums
Blood has a red color due to the presence of red blood cells. If you have healthy vitamin B-12 levels, your gums typically appear red or pink in color. When your blood contains low levels of red blood cells due to a vitamin B-12 deficiency, your gums may become unusually pale, the National Heart Lung Blood Institute explains.
Additional Symptoms
A vitamin B-12 deficiency may also cause a number of additional symptoms throughout your body. You may feel unusually weak or fatigued, or you may experience a loss of appetite, weight loss or constipation, the Office of Dietary Supplements warns. Low vitamin B-12 levels may also cause depression, oral sores, memory loss, confusion or numbness. Additionally, you may feel unbalanced while standing or walking, which may increase your risk of sustaining an injury from tripping or falling down. If you experience these symptoms of a vitamin B-12 deficiency, consult a physician for further evaluation and care.
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