Why Are My Gums Bleeding and Receding?

Almost half of Americans have gum disease, a chronic, inflammatory condition that, without proper professional care, dramatically increases your risk of permanent tooth loss. Receding and bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease, but they can happen for other reasons too.

At Novi Family Dentistry in Novi, Michigan, Abir Faraj, DDS, gets to the root of your gum problems, diagnosing the underlying issue and targeting treatment for better gum health now and in the future. 

In this post, learn what could be causing your gum symptoms and what we can do to help.

Gum disease: A major cause of bleeding and recession

Also called periodontal disease, gum disease happens when bacteria collect along your gum line, often in sticky deposits of plaque or hard tartar. When these tiny bacteria multiply, they release toxins that irritate your gum tissue. This causes your gums to pull away from your tooth surface and eventually recede, or move down your tooth surface toward the root pocket.

At the same time, irritation can cause your gums to bleed, especially when you brush or floss your teeth. While this type of bleeding is typically painless, in more advanced stages, you may experience tenderness, swelling, or redness along with bleeding and recession.

Without treatment, bacteria will continue to move down your tooth surface, eventually reaching the root pocket. Infection in this deeper part of your gums significantly increases your risk of tooth weakening and, eventually, tooth loss. Gum disease is a leading cause of adult tooth loss among Americans.

Other potential causes

Gum disease may be a leading cause of bleeding and gum recession, but other problems can be to blame as well.

Poor oral hygiene

Poor brushing and flossing allow bacteria to build up along your gums, leading to gum disease and other gum problems that can cause bleeding, tenderness, and swelling. It’s important to brush and floss properly twice each day to protect your gums and teeth.

Aggressive brushing

You might think that hard, aggressive brushing can better keep bacteria away from your gums and teeth, but you’d be wrong. Brushing too hard can irritate your gums, leading to recession, tenderness, and bleeding. Aggressive brushing can also damage your tooth enamel, making cavities more likely.

Infections

Gum infections can cause bleeding and receding, but so can infections inside your teeth. Tooth abscesses are deep infections that can affect your gum tissue, causing symptoms like swelling, bleeding, tenderness, and chronic bad breath, along with tooth or gum pain, especially when biting or chewing.

Underlying medical problems

Some medical problems, like diabetes, leukemia, vitamin deficiencies, herpes, and even hormonal changes, can lead to gum recession and bleeding. So can long-term use of certain medications.

Smoking

Smoking isn’t just bad for your heart and lungs. It can cause oral health problems, including gum recession and bleeding gums. Chemicals in tobacco products interfere with the circulation that keeps your gums healthy, leading to an increased risk of gum disease and other oral health problems.

Don’t ignore gum problems

Your gums play an essential role in keeping your teeth strong and healthy and maintaining your overall oral health. If you have any type of gum symptom, including recession, bleeding, swelling, or tenderness, it’s essential to schedule a visit so we can evaluate your gums and provide appropriate care.

Many gum issues can be managed with a deep professional cleaning, followed by improved home care and twice-yearly checkups. To find out how we can help keep your gums healthy, book an appointment with Dr. Faraj and our team by calling 313-646-7903 or scheduling online today.