Most people experience bleeding gums from time to time. While seeing a trace of pink on your toothbrush after your daily hygiene routine is not uncommon, heavy gum bleeding or bleeding from your gums that is difficult to control needs to be assessed as quickly as possible. Here are some ways your dentist can identify the cause of your bleeding gums and some effective treatment options to manage them.

Medication Use And Periodontal Examination

Your dentist will talk to you about your medication use so that they can gather information about any drugs that may have the potential to cause abnormal bleeding. Both prescription and non-prescription medications can cause bleeding gums, including aspirin and warfarin. Both of these drugs can affect the clotting ability of your blood platelets which can cause excessive or prolonged bleeding when you brush your teeth.

Your dentist will also perform a periodontal examination to determine if you have gingivitis or periodontitis. They will check the spaces between your teeth with a dental probe to see if your gums bleed easily. They will also look for periodontal pockets surrounding your teeth, which are typically a sign of periodontal disease. If you do have periodontal pockets, your dentist will measure their depth with a special instrument. Deep periodontal pockets may indicate a more severe case of gum disease and subsequent bleeding.

Treatment Options

If periodontal disease is identified during your office visit, then your dentist will probably assume that your bleeding gums are caused by gum disease. If they believe your bleeding gums are related to your medications, they may refer you back to your primary care doctor for further evaluation or a dosage adjustment. If you have periodontal disease, then ensuring that you maintain a strict routine of brushing and flossing will help heal your gums to reduce bleeding.

Scheduling more frequent appointments for professional teeth cleanings will also help heal your gum tissue and decrease your bleeding. While regular teeth cleanings are often effective in resolving minor forms of gum disease, a special deep cleaning treatment that removes calculus from under your gums and from the roots of your teeth may also be recommended by your dentist to promote the healing of significant gum disease. If your bleeding gums are caused by your medications, your dental professional may refer you to your primary care doctor for further evaluation and a dosage adjustment.

If you experience heavy bleeding from your gums or if you are unable to control the bleeding, see your dentist as soon as possible. Once the cause has been identified, your dental professional can then develop a custom treatment plan based on your examination and dental needs.