Gums are dense connective tissue, thanks to which the teeth are securely held in their sockets.
Content
When should you worry?
Bleeding gums are, first of all, a sign of a person's inattention to their health. After all, many simply do not pay attention when blood appears at any slightest mechanical impact on the gums. And these are the first signs of the possible development of gingivitis or periodontitis - one of the most common dental diseases.
Therefore, you should be concerned if, while brushing your teeth or eating, you notice that the gums:
- Flushed;
- swelling;
- began to bleed.
Ignoring these symptoms, over time, you can lose your teeth, as they will fall out due to the lack of their fixation by periodontal ligaments, which are destroyed subsequently by periodontitis.
Periodontitis and gingivitis - what is it
Gingivitis is a disease in which the gums become inflamed. They begin to redden, swell and bleed. If gingivitis is not treated, it will develop into a more serious form - periodontitis. During this disease, the gums are affected more deeply, their increased sensitivity is noted. At the same time, they begin to lag behind the necks of the teeth, exposing them. Also, periodontitis is dangerous due to the active development of microflora in the oral cavity, as a result of which the bone on which the gums and teeth are attached is destroyed. And this, in turn, threatens the loss of teeth and the formation of abscesses in their place.
Why do gums bleed?
The most common causes of health problems in the oral cavity, and the entire body as a whole, are:
- Smoking. Due to cigarette smoke, favorable conditions are created for pathogenic microflora, which contribute to gingivitis with their waste products.
- Irrational nutrition. The abundance of carbohydrates in the diet of a modern person contributes, as with smoking, to the development of pathogenic bacteria. They lead to the formation of tartar, which turns into gingivitis.
- Diseases such as diabetes mellitus, leukemia, hemophilia.
- Pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman's hormonal background is rebuilt, and the gums become softer and weaker.
- Vitamin C deficiency: This is extremely rare, as most people take vitamin complexes.
- Stress.
To maintain the health of your oral cavity, if you experience any unpleasant symptoms, do not postpone a visit to a periodontist.