Bleeding gums is usually a sign of gum disease. In the majority of cases it is a sign of a condition called gingivitis, which means inflammation of the gums.

If gingivitis is not treated, it can develop into a more serious condition called periodontal disease. Periodonatal disease is a bacterial infection that can damage the gums and tissues in the mouth. If left untreated, it can result in teeth falling out.

Most people will experience some sort of gum disease in their lifetime. This is largely the result of western diets which are high in sugar. Sugary food encourages the growth of bacteria (plaque) on the teeth, which leads to gum disease.

Cleaning your teeth regularly, keeping sugary food to a minimum and visiting your dentist regularly can help to reduce your chances of getting serious gum disease.

Bleeding gums are usually caused by gingivitis which is inflammation of the gum margin around the necks of the teeth. Gingivitis is caused by plaque, which is a layer of bacteria that gradually forms on your teeth over a period of time. Eating sugary food or drink and not cleaning your teeth often enough encourages the growth of plaque.

Gingivitis can usually be cleared up by good dental hygiene. Regular tooth brushing and flossing after meals will remove plaque and prevent gingivitis.

Bleeding gums are quite common in pregnancy. Hormone changes weaken the connective tissue in the gums, making them softer, and the increase in blood makes bleeding more likely.

Some people seem more prone to bleeding gums than others. Stress, smoking and poor diet can all be triggers, as can rough or crooked teeth.
Uncontrolled diabetes and the side effects of certain drugs can also cause bleeding gums.

There are other rare causes of bleeding gums such as vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), haemophilia, and leukaemia, but they are accompanied by other symptoms.

The gums (gingivae) are firm fibrous tissue attached to the bone of the jaw. Healthy gums are around 1mm thick and have a good blood supply. The first sign of gum disease is reddening and swelling of the gums and bleeding when brushing the teeth.

The tooth is attached to the bone of the jaw by a fibrous ligament, the periodontal ligament. As gingivitis progresses into gum disease the fibres of this ligament become looser and a pocket forms between the tooth and the gum.

In late stages of the disease the teeth may become loose or even fall out and you may develop gum abscesses.

Good oral hygiene is the best way to treat and prevent bleeding gums. This means cleaning your teeth with toothpaste at least twice a day, especially last thing at night. If you find that cleaning your teeth makes your gums bleed, you may be brushing too hard. Try to avoid actually brushing the gums, which can lift them up and expose the sensitive roots underneath. Use a gentle circular brushing motion and spend two minutes doing it to remove all the plaque.

Brushing only cleans the surface of your teeth; its important to clean between them too. Use dental floss or tape to remove the hidden bits of food stuck between your teeth. Ask your dentist or hygienist if youre not sure how. If you have gum disease, they are likely to bleed when you floss. However you should carry on with both brushing and flossing to get rid of the problem.

Some people use mouthwash after cleaning their teeth. As well as freshening breath, it helps to dislodge any food particles still trapped in the teeth. Some mouthwashes contain chlorhexidine, which is designed to treat gum infections and oral problems. Ask your dentist or hygienist for advice.

As well as following good oral hygiene, you can prevent many teeth and gum problems by reducing the amount of sugary food you eat. Cut down on sweets, chocolate and fizzy drinks, and stop adding sugar to tea or coffee. Try to stop snacking between meals because it gives plaque more time to build up on the teeth.

Cut down on, or, even better, stop smoking altogether. As well as staining your teeth, smokers are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood stream, making it harder for the gums to heal themselves.

If you wear dentures and they do not fit well, make sure you tell your dentist. Poorly fitting dentures can rub against the gums causing sore spots that can become infected.

You should visit your dentist at least once every year more so if you have any dental health problems. They can treat gum disease early on to prevent further complications developing. Your dentist may also recommend you see a dental hygienist, who can remove plaque build-up from your teeth and show you the best ways to keep your teeth clean and healthy.