Bleeding From Gums

About the Symptom

Bleeding gums can be a sign of inflammation of your gums, also known as gingivitis. It may be caused by poor oral hygiene, medications, brushing too hard and certain medical conditions.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Vomiting of blood
• Melena (black stools)
• Dark purple rash on lower limbs
• Difficulty breathing / breathlessness

Possible Causes

Generally, Bleeding from gums can be related to:

• von Willebrand Disease (vWD)

  von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a common genetic blood disorder that impairs blood clotting leading to excess bleeding. In people with vWD, a protein called von Willebrand factor that is critical to blood clotting either does not function properly or is insufficient. As a result, people with vWD bleed more easily.

• Multiple Myeloma (MM)

  This is a cancer of a type of white blood cell in the blood, called a plasma cell. Cancerous cells multiply and "crowd out" other healthy, normal cells. Risk factors include positive family history, older age, and male sex. Symptoms include fatigue, bone pain, weight loss, and inability to fight infections.

• Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

  Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets, which are blood cells that help with clotting. ITP can cause low platelet levels, leading to easy bruising and bleeding. Triggers include infections like HIV and hepatitis.

• Dengue Fever
• Anemia

• Hypophosphatasia (HPP)

• Congenital Hemophilia
• Acquired Hemophilia
• Essential Thrombocythemia

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Bleeding from gums may be related to these serious diseases:

• Leukemia

  Leukemia is a cancer of the body's blood cell-forming tissues. Blood cells circulate in our bloodstream and are created and matured in the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. Leukemia involves white blood cells and lymphatic cells and has several types. The cancerous cells are produced in excess and do not function normally. Leukemias can be aggressive and cause symptoms or chronic and smolder for years.

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Are your gums bleeding?
• When did you first notice the bleeding gums?
• How often do you experience bleeding gums?
• How are your bleeding gums now?

Find Similar Symptoms

References

• Mark, Anita M. “Keeping your gums healthy.” The Journal of the American Dental Association, vol. 153, no. 7, 11 May 2022, p. 730, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2022.04.005.