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Bleeding gums are a symptom of a variety of mild to serious diseases, disorders and conditions. Bleeding gums can result from vitamin deficiencies, infection, inflammation, trauma, malignancy and other diseases and abnormal processes.
Bleeding gums can occur in any age group or population. Bleeding gums can be the result of a mild condition, such as excessive or overly aggressive tooth brushing. Bleeding gums can also be the result of a moderate condition, disorder or disease, such as gingivitis or hormonal changes of pregnancy. Bleeding gums can also occur due o some diseases, disorders and conditions that can be serious, even life-threatening. These include hemophilia, oral cancer and leukemia.
Depending on the cause, bleeding gums can be short-term and disappear quickly, such as when bleeding gums occurs due to ill-fitting dentures that are replaced by properly fitting dentures. Bleeding gums can also occur chronically or long-term, such as bleeding gums that happens with periodontal disease that is not treated.
Bleeding gums can be the result of a wide variety of other conditions, including trauma to the mouth, teeth or gums, and as a side effect of certain medications, such as aspirin. For more details about causes, see causes of bleeding gums.
Bleeding gums often occur in conjunction with other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Other common symptoms include mouth pain, bad breath, jaw swelling, tooth fracture and bleeding from other areas such as the nose (epistaxis).
Complications of excessive bleeding gums include nausea and vomiting due to the swallowing of blood. More serious complications can include anemia and hypovolemic shock. The underlying disorder, disease or condition can also cause complications.
Diagnosing bleeding gums and its root cause begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms, and completing a physical examination. This includes an oral examination and oral X-rays. A full dental examination, performed by a dentist and/or periodontist (a specialist in periodontal disease) is generally recommended as well.
Making a diagnosis of bleeding gums also includes performing a variety of other tests to help to diagnose potential underlying diseases, conditions or disorders, such as hemophilia, oral cancer and leukemia.
Depending on the suspected cause, tests can include blood tests, biopsy of lesions or tumors, and imaging tests, such as, CT scan and MRI.
A diagnosis of bleeding gums and its cause can easily be delayed or missed because bleeding gums may be mild or intermittent and for other reasons. For information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of bleeding gums.
Treatment of bleeding gums varies based on the underlying cause. Some conditions can be easily and successfully treated and cured, while others may require more intensive treatment and may not have an optimal prognosis. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of bleeding gums....more »
Diagnosing bleeding gums and its cause may be delayed or missed because in some cases, bleeding gums may not be severe enough for a person to seek medical care. Bleeding gums is a symptom of many different conditions, so a thorough medical evaluation is needed to ensure an accurate diagnosis of the reason for bleeding gums. ...more misdiagnosis »
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Bleeding gums.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
See full list of 172 causes of Bleeding gums
» Review Causes of Bleeding gums: Causes | Symptom Checker » | Assessment Questionnaire »
Home medical tests possibly related to Bleeding gums:
Review causes of types of Bleeding gums in more specific categories:
Review causes of more specific types of Bleeding gums:
See full list of 4 types for Bleeding gums
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Bleeding gums, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
See full list of 501 Symptom Checkers for Bleeding gums
Treatment of bleeding gums begins with prevention. This includes seeking regular dental care (twice yearly) and maintaining good oral hygiene, such as brushing the teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day.
Treatment plans for bleeding gums are individualized based on the underlying cause, the presence of coexisting diseases, the age and medical history of the ...Bleeding gums Treatments
Some of the possible treatments listed in sources for treatment of Bleeding gums may include:
Review further information on Bleeding gums Treatments.
Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed as possibly helpful for Bleeding gums may include:
Real-life user stories relating to Bleeding gums:
Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Bleeding gums or relevant symptoms:
Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Bleeding gums. Some of these are listed below :
See full list of 16
diagnostic tests for Bleeding gums
More Bleeding gums animations & videos
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Bleeding gums as a symptom.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 57
medications causing Bleeding gums
When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Bleeding gums as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 79 drug interactions causing Bleeding gums
Some of the comorbid or associated medical symptoms for Bleeding gums may include these symptoms:
See all associated comorbid symptoms for Bleeding gums
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Research the causes of related medical symptoms such as:
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Bleeding gums:
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques to assess the symptom: Bleeding gums. These will include a physical examination and possibly diagnostic tests. (Note: A physical exam is always done, diagnostic tests may or may not be performed depending on the suspected condition) Your doctor will ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to openly share any pertinent information to help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.
It is also very important to bring an up-to-date list of all of your all medical conditions, medications including dosages, and names of numbers of any specialist you see.
Create your printable checklist here.
See Bleeding gums Assessment Questionnaire (19 listings)
Read more about causes and Bleeding gums deaths.
Unnecessary hysterectomies due to undiagnosed bleeding disorder in women: The bleeding disorder called Von Willebrand's disease is quite...read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Bleeding gums
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Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Bleeding gums:
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The list below shows some of the causes of Bleeding gums mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 172 causes of Bleeding gums
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Bleeding gums. Of the 172 causes of Bleeding gums that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
See the analysis of the prevalence of 172 causes of Bleeding gums
The following list of conditions have 'Bleeding gums' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Bleeding gums or choose View All.
Ask or answer a question about symptoms or diseases at one of our free interactive user forums.
Medical story forums: If you have a medical story then we want to hear it.
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This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Bleeding gums based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Bleeding gums, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.
Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :
Medical Conditions associated with Bleeding gums:
Dental symptoms (886 causes), Gum symptoms (181 causes), Bleeding symptoms (1783 causes), Mouth symptoms (6864 causes), Head symptoms (10192 causes), Throat symptoms (3410 causes), Respiratory symptoms (5166 causes), Breathing symptoms (3381 causes), Breath symptoms (3023 causes), Face symptoms (8109 causes)
Symptoms related to Bleeding gums:
Bleeding (1783 causes), Gum pain (16 causes), Mouth bleeding, Blood in sputum (124 causes), Dental pain (25 causes), Mouth pain (142 causes), Gum symptoms (181 causes), Mouth symptoms (6864 causes), Brushing too hard, Hormonal changes during pregnancy, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Ill-fitting dentures, Improper flossing, Infection (1293 causes), Which can be either tooth- or gum-related, Leukemia, Scurvy
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
These general medical articles may be of interest:
See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
Medical research papers related to Bleeding gums include:
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