You may experience bleeding gums when you brush your teeth too hard. However, sometimes these complaints can arise due to certain health conditions. To treat it, you can use bleeding gum drugs according to the cause.
Apart from brushing your teeth too hard, there are many things that can cause your gums to bleed, including tooth loss, medical procedures on your teeth, injury, or using a hard-bristled toothbrush.
Bleeding gums can often stop on their own. However, if you feel this complaint often, the use of bleeding gums may be necessary.
Different Types of Bleeding Gums
If your gums bleed frequently, here are some options for bleeding gums that you can use:
1. Brine solution or hydrogen peroxide
One option for bleeding gums that is easy to find is hearing salt water gargling. To use it, mix a glass of warm water with half a teaspoon of salt, then gargle for a few minutes and do it 3-4 times a day.
In addition to salt water, you can also use a mouthwash containing hydrogen peroxide after brushing your teeth to treat bleeding gums.
Both solutions work to reduce irritation and swelling of the gums, clean food residue on the teeth and gums, and stop bleeding from the gums.
2. Vitamin supplements
Bleeding gums can also be treated by consuming foods or supplements that contain vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin B. This is because a lack of these vitamins can make your gums bleed easily.
Vitamin C is useful for increasing the body's resistance to be stronger against infections that cause bleeding gums, while vitamin K plays a role in the blood clotting process to stop bleeding. Vitamin B is important consumed to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency anemia which can cause bleeding gums.
3. Tranexamic acid
Tranexamic acid is a type of drug used to help blood clot to stop bleeding quickly. This medication is usually used to treat severe bleeding gums or bleeding from a blood clotting disorder. However, this drug can only be obtained through a doctor's prescription.
4. Blood transfusion
Spontaneous bleeding, such as nosebleeds, gastrointestinal bleeding, to bleeding gums, can sometimes be caused by a decrease in platelets. Platelets are a type of blood cell that functions to stop bleeding when an injury occurs.
To treat bleeding gums or bleeding in other parts of the body due to a decrease in the number of platelets, blood transfusions are needed.
In addition to the drugs above, bleeding gums can also be treated with cold compresses on the gums. To treat bleeding gums caused by a bacterial infection, you can use antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor.
So that bleeding gums do not occur frequently or recur, you can do the following tips:
- Keep your teeth and mouth healthy and clean by brushing your teeth 2 times a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- After brushing your teeth, clean between your teeth with dental floss.
- Use a mouthwash that does not contain alcohol.
- Limit consumption of foods or drinks that contain lots of sugar.
- Stop smoking.
- Apply a balanced nutritious diet, including increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables
Conditions or Diseases That Cause Bleeding Gums
Apart from brushing your teeth incorrectly, bleeding gums can also be caused by certain diseases or conditions, such as:
Tooth and gum disease
Problems with teeth and gums, such as gingivitis, are a major cause of bleeding gums. This condition is generally caused by plaque buildup or food residue and bacteria on the teeth that are not cleaned.
Gingivitis that gets worse and goes untreated can lead to periodontitis, which can damage teeth and gums. This condition can even make teeth fall out.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy
Increased pregnancy hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, can make the gums swollen, sensitive, and bleed easily. This is what often causes bleeding gums in pregnant women. However, this condition is usually harmless and will improve on its own after delivery.
Vitamin deficiency
An unhealthy diet or impaired absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract can cause the body to lack vitamin C, vitamin B, and vitamin K deficiency. Lack of these nutrients can cause the gums to bleed easily.
Certain diseases
Bleeding gums that occur suddenly and are difficult to stop can sometimes be caused by certain diseases, such as pernicious anemia or anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency, blood clotting disorders, cirrhosis, leukemia, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders, such as ITP.
In addition to some of the causes above, bleeding gums can also be caused by side effects of drugs, such as blood-thinning drugs, anti-seizure drugs, blood pressure-lowering drugs, and chemotherapy.
Most cases of bleeding gums get better on their own within a few hours or days without specific treatment. However, if the bleeding gums that you suffer from do not improve or get worse, immediately consult a dentist to get the right bleeding gum medication.