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When we are kids we focus on the dentist and the hygienist as giving advice on how to avoid tooth decay. Later as adults we realize that everything in the mouth is connected and related so all of the brushing and flossing advice over the years can help prevent gum disease as well. Kids don't like the drill and the chair, but have a very high tolerance for the minor annoying gum disease problem. A little bleeding and sensitivity don't bother them much and the problems can often go untreated.

The most common reason for bleeding gums is the gum disease gingivitis. The gums become irritated by a bacterial infection and swell a significant amount. They may be tender to the touch and have some light bleeding when flossing or brushing actively. Gingivitis is normally seen for a few days at most so the best action is to continue to brush and floss often to clean out the problem.

It turns out that plaque is a great breeding ground for the bacteria of gum disease fame. The bacteria are in the mouth anyway, but given this excellent growth material, they grow too much and too fast. They also end to gather in one spot.

The extra bacteria usually like to hang out near the base of the tooth and under the gum. Gum disease often starts in this protected and hard to clean area of the mouth. The tissues around the bacteria party get irritated and swell with a color change towards the angry red side of the spectrum. The swelling will have some bleeding associated with it as well.

Periodontitis is named a gum disease, but it will affect the roots of the teeth and more. The infections will travel from the gingival gum areas near the teeth towards the jaw bones. The tooth roots will be affected and eventually destroyed. In advanced cases the actual bones will be destroyed leaving the teeth without a structure to hang on with.

There are other gum disease problems that can be seen first as bleeding gums. It is possible for a virus such as herpes to get inside the mouth and cause bleeding. The disease will form small sores on the gums in various areas of the mouth and seriously irritate the tissue. The bleeding will not stop until the virus is destroyed.

Some causes of bleeding gums other than gum disease are leukemia and diabetes. Diabetes has the tendency to affect many parts of the body adversely, but the gums are an early target for problems. Bleeding gums may be a sign of undiagnosed diabetes that has just manifested first there. If it is diabetes then it will foster the growth of other gum disorders soon.

Periodontitis is a serious gum disease that can be prevented much easier than it can be treated. Keeping the gum and teeth areas clean often and using an antiseptic mouthwash to control the bacteria are essential actions.