“Are bleeding gums in kids a cause of concern?”
My son's gums are bleeding, especially when he brushes his teeth. He is 14 years old. Should I be concerned about his bleeding gums, and what should I do to help him?
12 Answers
Bleeding is a sign that the patient is not having an appropriate oral hygiene and is developing Gingivitis. Patient probably is not brushing properly and is not practicing the adequate brushing technique. Also Puberty gingivitis is most common in preadolescent boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 13. It is typically the result of a combination of elevated hormone levels, which increase the response of gingival tissues to accumulated dental plaque, and poor oral hygiene habits. It is recommended that the patient should increase the frequency of recalls appointments, instead of coming every 6 months should be every 3 months to control the diseases and to monitor patient compliance.
Many kids suffer from plaque-induced gingivitis, a reversible and transient state of gum health that improves upon proper removal of plaque around the gum line. Most kids, based on experience, also fail to floss regularly which contributes to the retention of plaque in the hiding spaces between teeth. Concern should be addressed with your local licensed dentist to see
if there is anything more involved. For now, maybe start direct supervision of hygiene at home.
if there is anything more involved. For now, maybe start direct supervision of hygiene at home.
You should absolutely be concerned. It sounds like he has gingivitis, which is inflammation in his gums. In a 14 year old, it is usually caused by poor brushing especially along the gum line. If this is the case, changing his brushing technique will prevent the bleeding. An antiseptic mouth rinse once daily will also help. Please see a dentist to determine the source of the bleeding though and rule out other systemic problems that might relate to the bleeding.
Hi,
Thank you for reaching out. Bleeding gums while brushing for a 14-year-old, without an underlying health issue is ALWAYS a cause for concern. My recommendation would be for you to visit a dentist (sooner rather than later) to determine the reason for the bleeding. There could be several causes. The most common is due to improper brushing & flossing habits. The dental hygienist would help guide your son on proper oral-hygiene techniques, individualized to his mouth & tooth positions. In addition, there are many other causes of bleeding gums - Vitamin deficiency, gum disease, blood pathology, side-effects of medications to name a few. I would urge you to follow up.
Good luck!
Dr. Merchant
Thank you for reaching out. Bleeding gums while brushing for a 14-year-old, without an underlying health issue is ALWAYS a cause for concern. My recommendation would be for you to visit a dentist (sooner rather than later) to determine the reason for the bleeding. There could be several causes. The most common is due to improper brushing & flossing habits. The dental hygienist would help guide your son on proper oral-hygiene techniques, individualized to his mouth & tooth positions. In addition, there are many other causes of bleeding gums - Vitamin deficiency, gum disease, blood pathology, side-effects of medications to name a few. I would urge you to follow up.
Good luck!
Dr. Merchant
Bleeding gums should be evaluated by your dentist. It could be a simple matter of changing brushing technique or the sign of something more serious.
He should have a comprehensive dental evaluation to determine cause of bleeding. Once the cause is determined then recommendations can be made to get the gums to a healthy state.
Bleeding gums indicate there is a problem either locally such as inadequate hygiene or systemically such as an infection or some other issue. A comprehensive evaluation and medical history review is the best approach to diagnose the cause(s)
Bleeding gums indicate there is a problem either locally such as inadequate hygiene or systemically such as an infection or some other issue. A comprehensive evaluation and medical history review is the best approach to diagnose the cause(s)
Bleeding gums is usually a result of plaque build up along the gum line causing the gums to become inflamed. Encourage him to angle the toothbrush along the gum line and to floss. If done regularly, the bleeding should cease.
Bleeding teeth are usually a sign of poor hygiene, gingivitis and periodontitis. I would recommend an evaluation with a pediatric dentist to see what exactly is going on.
Yes, bleeding gums are a sign of gingivitis. Make sure he has been to a dentist to get an appropriate cleaning. Daily brushing along the gumline and flossing thereafter is extremely important. Supplement with a mouthrinse. Gingivitis and the side effect of bleeding gums should heal within two weeks. If you are certain he has practiced meticulous hygiene for two weeks and his gums are still bleeding, I would definitely contact your dentist.
There are juvenile forms of gum disease, but the likely issue is that he isn't brushing his teeth well or isn't getting regular dental cleanings.
Bleeding gums are a concern at any age. It is very important to floss AND brush teeth daily, especially at bedtime so that the mouth and gums are clean during the 7-9 hours of sleep. This could be a result of hurried oral hygiene practices in addition to hormonal changes associated with puberty or the signal of something more serious. It's best to follow up with your regular pediatric dentist first.
It is not normal for gums to bleed when they're healthy. Please see a pedodontist to determine the cause.
