Bleeding Gums - Roseville,CA

Time for a second opinion!

If you don't floss regularly, then go to the dentist and they floss for you, yes, it could be nothing; just the trauma of finally flossing.

BUT... it's more often than not a sign of gingivitis or... I forget the second, very common, very managable, very preventable dental condition.

Just brush and floss regularly, and you should see a huge decrease in the amount of bleeding. If you have any other side effects like a white, fuzzy tongue, or bad breath no matter what... get a second opinion.

Bleeding gums can be a sign of a variety of medical conditions. I would definetly go to your doctor and discuss this concern.

You can have bleeding gums with pregnancy - any chance you may be pregnant???

Do you floss every day?

If I get lazy for a while, and only floss every second or third or, god forbid, fourth day, my gums will bleed when I get a cleaning. But if I floss every day, they don't bleed when my teeth are cleaned.

I suggest daily flossing.

The first thing bleeding gums make me think of is scurvy (vitamin C deficiency).
It wouldn't hurt to take a vitamin, eat a little fruit and/or drink a little citrus juice once in awhile.

Were you near you period, or ovulation? Women tend to bleed more during those times due to hormonal influences and also during pregnancy. Could also be vitamin deficiency, autoimmune disorder, thyroid, diabetes, or something highly unlikely like luekemia. Do you get any bleeding when you floss? When you do floss are you taking the floss under the gum line, wrapping in a c-shape around the tooth and going up and down with it, or just kinda going back and forth. It could be that you are flossing, but not properly removing the biofilm aka plaque that's under the gums and the tissue is irritated underneath. Just a few ideas. I would mention it to my doctor at next check up and maybe have routine blood work done. He or she can check for anemia, blood cell count ect. Most people overlook bleeding gums, b.c the majority of people have gum disease and are used to bleeding gums. If you have excellent oral hygiene, and this is new for you, I'd bring it up at dr. appointment, but not stress about it. Good luck!

Have they always done this? Or, is it new "behavior", or was your hygienist maybe a little rougher than usual?

If it isn't b/c the hygienist was rough, then I would follow up with your regular physician as your dentist suggested. I wouldn't think that it would warrant a 2nd opinion from another dentist, b/c it sounds like your dentist is on the ball and is suggesting that the bleeding gums might be indicative of something else going on-- apart from your dental hygiene. I'd follow up like he suggested.

Also: is there any chance you are pregnant? That can cause women's gums to bleed more readily... even without the presence of gingivitis.

http://www.dentalhealthsite.com/8-bleeding-gums/
If the dentist has ruled out "dental reasons" I'd see a doctor sooner rather than later. Vitamin K deficiency is a common cause of this but there are other things as well.