When you notice blood on your toothbrush or have a sore and tender mouth, you might wonder about the possible reasons and what you can do. Bleeding gums are frequently the sign of underlying problems, such as gum disease, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes or systemic illnesses. However, determining the precise cause on your own can be difficult, so it is important to have a dentist assess the state of your oral health to determine why your gums are bleeding.
Vitamin Deficiencies
Deficiencies of vitamins C, K or B-12, niacin or folic acid can lead to bleeding gums, but they also typically come with other symptoms. Vitamin C deficiency causes hair and tooth loss, joint pain, swelling and a tendency to bruise or bleed easily in addition to bleeding gums. Pernicious anemia, caused by a lack of vitamin B-12, can show up as bleeding gums, but it also causes fatigue, diarrhea, shortness of breath, concentration problems and nerve damage. Gum bleeding caused by a vitamin K deficiency presents as an oozing of blood and is usually accompanied by nosebleeds. Niacin deficiencies involve skin problems, neurological symptoms, vomiting and diarrhea. A lack of folic acid may cause gray hair, mouth and stomach ulcers and a swollen tongue, in addition to gum bleeding. If multiple symptoms are present, your doctor can check your blood to determine the levels of specific nutrients in your body and determine whether you need supplementation.
Long-Term Solutions
If your bleeding gums and other symptoms are the result of a vitamin deficiency, treatment might involve increasing your intake of foods with the desired nutrient or taking supplements. The specific amount of supplementation depends on the severity of the deficiency. Most vitamin supplementation is available in pill form, which you take each day until your levels rise, but in some cases you might need to receive a daily or weekly shot of the necessary vitamin.
Immediate Solutions
If you notice your gums starting to bleed during your routine dental care at home or during a meal, you can apply a clean gauze pad soaked in ice water to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, you can massage your gums with an oral irrigator set on low to keep them healthy and try to prevent future bleeding episodes. Taking vitamins will not halt bleeding immediately, even if the cause is a true vitamin deficiency. Restoring your vitamin balance is a long-term task, so you might encounter bleeding gums occasionally even after you have started treatment.
Considerations
Most cases of bleeding gums are not the result of a vitamin deficiency. Periodontal disease is a far more common cause. The gums often become inflamed when plaque builds up on your teeth as a result of inadequate brushing. A thorough professional cleaning and follow-up home care solves most minor cases of bleeding gums. Treating bleeding gums with vitamin supplementation will not solve the problem if the cause is periodontal disease and could lead to a vitamin overdose.
