Bleeding gums

I have this problem where at night I go to sleep and when I wake up in the morning my teeth have coagulated blood on them because I think my gums bleed, but at night only!
It's really worrying me.
Anyone know what it might be?
And how i can fix it?

Reply 1

LPK

Well they sometimes bleed when you brush your teeth. Could it be that you aren't noticing them bleed then?

Reply 2

A Y A Z

Go see a doctor.

Reply 3

Evolin

Or a dentist.

I've not come across that before, it's best to get it checked out.
Do you grind your teeth? And as LPK said- do they bleed when you brush?

Reply 4

ch0c0h01ic

It could be something as minor as scurvy (vit. c deficiency), if its been going on for a while and shows no signs of going away, visit your doctor.

Reply 5

Renal

A Y Z

Go see a doctor.

Doctors don't do gums...

Reply 6

Miss_Scarlett

I had something similiar, it was just because I was brushing my teeth too often and for too long especially at night (because I hate waking up with a nasty taste in my mouth).....

See your dentist if it persists....

Reply 7

ch0c0h01ic

Renal

Doctors don't do gums...

Does that mean that because podiatrists exist that doctors don't deal with feet? Or talk about dietary advice because there's dieticians? Or deal with injuries and/or posture related problems because there's physiotherapists?

NO. Doctors/gps, whatever you want to call them are trained in all aspects of human health and fitness so that they can advise, operate and/or treat. They have to be educated in all fields. You may not believe me but many hospitals operate emergency dental clinics run mainly by doctors as far as i know.

Going to the doctor is your best bet. They have to know a lot more about how your body works and what can go wrong (well they should) and they have more resources and powers at their disposal. They can easily take and order blood tests and other diagnostics as well as advising you over the best treatment and providing you with it, things which you will struggle to find at any dentists.

Reply 8

Miss_Scarlett

^ I would agree with what you say...But I work at an optometrists at w/end, and generally if a patient goes to the doctor with an eye problem, they will refer them to their optometrist.

If the OP went to see their Dr, chances are they'd tell them to go to their dentist, as it is their specialist field. To save time, it may be easier to go straight to the dentist.

Reply 9

Renal

NO. Doctors/gps, whatever you want to call them are trained in all aspects of human health and fitness so that they can advise, operate and/or treat. They have to be educated in all fields.

Quite simply we're not, teeth and gums are for dentists (and the occasional max fac surgeon). Dentists get medical training, medics get practically no dental training (we had two lectures in five years).

Bleeding gums (absent other symptoms) are most likely to be a periodontic problem - dealt with by dentists, if the dentist suspects a systemic problem, they can refer to GP or direct to hospital.

ch0c0h01ic

Does that mean that because podiatrists exist that doctors don't deal with feet?Not if we can avoid it, no.

Reply 10

Evolin

ch0c0h01ic

You may not believe me but many hospitals operate emergency dental clinics run mainly by doctors as far as i know.

Yes, they will be doctors- but not medically trained doctors!!! (unless they've done dentistry too!) Dentist's are 'doctors' too you see. I'd dread to see the emergency dental clinic you know.

Plus- of course a dentist would know what treatment to give! A trained dentist could look at the OP's gums and is likely to know possible causes for it (because of the medical training that we have to do, as said above) and help them treat it, or refer to the GP.

(btw- im not trying to be horrible, just trying to clarify a little about dentists! Especially as im sitting here trying to figure out all the things my human disease course book wants me to be able to do!!! Its like a very intensive crash course in medicine beside all the other things we need to know)

*rant over*

Reply 11

Renal

The "medicine in a month" course? :wink:

Reply 12

Evolin

Renal

The "medicine in a month" course? :wink:

yeh that sounds about right! It's such a long module, with the most coursework, with an away attachment at a district general hospital so we can experience 'intensive ward, patient, theatre and accident and emergency sessions'.

ARGHHHH! Dentists do not get the recognition we deserve!

I feel like I've picked up one of the medics coursebooks. It's going to be a fun year :rolleyes:

Reply 13

Renal

Hehehe! At least you only have to do medicine for a bit. :wink:

Reply 14

Evolin

Very true that! But i do not know how I will learn, understand and remember it all! The lecture list is looking like something foreign!

Ah well. I do hope it ends in third year--- dread to see any more than this in the last 2!