Bleeding gums : Nutrition Deficiency?

[zobee 0]

Ha! That's funny -- I'm brushing my own gums off. I've never heard of floss causing gingivitis - LOL - but it is entirely possible, I suppose.

Thanks for your thoughts -- I'll try to be a little less enthusiastic with my brushing!

[JoJo1 0]

Ha! That's funny -- I'm brushing my own gums off. I've never heard of floss causing gingivitis - LOL - but it is entirely possible, I suppose.

Thanks for your thoughts -- I'll try to be a little less enthusiastic with my brushing!

Okay I asked my daughter who is a dental assistant and who also has OCD this question. She said you can definitely brush too hard and she has a few times. She says over time, it will cause your gum line to recede (inflamation) and make your teeth ultra sensitive. Definitely worth a try just easing up a little and see if it helps.

[Humming Bird 275]

interesting info

Nutrition and bleeding gums can be related. The British Navy found this out when its sailors began developing Scurvy. Scurvy is a deficiency in Vitamin C and in its worse form, Scurvy can cause serious gum bleeding, four odor and even loss of teeth. Fruits and vegetables are rich in Vitamin C. The British Navy added limes which are rich in Vitamin C to the sailor's diets and the problem went away. Today many teenagers do not eat fruits and so have early forms of gum disease related to a deficiency of C.

Nutrition and bleeding gums are also related because some foods can cause more periodontal problems that others. Sticky food sticks to the sides of the teeth and feed the bacteria that make placque and calculus. Foods that are high in carbohydrates also are preferred by these bacteria.

Vitamin D and Calcium deficiencies also show that nutrition and bleeding gums are related. These deficiencies cause bone loss around the teeth and inflammation in the tissues surrounding the teeth. Eating foods fortified with Vitamin D such as tuna fish and milk can help. Getting some sunshine also helps your body naturally make this Vitamin. Calcium is rich in dairy products and this mineral can be supplemented by taking a calcium pill with each meal.

There are many controversies concerning the relationship between nutrition and bleeding gums. Recent advances in the interactions of nutrition, host defenses, and infections may lead to more understanding of how periodontal disease develops.

[JoJo1 0]

interesting info

Nutrition and bleeding gums can be related. The British Navy found this out when its sailors began developing Scurvy. Scurvy is a deficiency in Vitamin C and in its worse form, Scurvy can cause serious gum bleeding, four odor and even loss of teeth. Fruits and vegetables are rich in Vitamin C. The British Navy added limes which are rich in Vitamin C to the sailor's diets and the problem went away. Today many teenagers do not eat fruits and so have early forms of gum disease related to a deficiency of C.

Nutrition and bleeding gums are also related because some foods can cause more periodontal problems that others. Sticky food sticks to the sides of the teeth and feed the bacteria that make placque and calculus. Foods that are high in carbohydrates also are preferred by these bacteria.

Vitamin D and Calcium deficiencies also show that nutrition and bleeding gums are related. These deficiencies cause bone loss around the teeth and inflammation in the tissues surrounding the teeth. Eating foods fortified with Vitamin D such as tuna fish and milk can help. Getting some sunshine also helps your body naturally make this vitamin. Calcium is rich in dairy products and this mineral can be supplemented by taking a calcium pill with each meal.

There are many controversies concerning the relationship between nutrition and bleeding gums. Recent advances in the interactions of nutrition, host defenses, and infections may lead to more understanding of how periodontal disease develops.

I am sure this is true!! You have to remember though, that those sailors were starving to death. People in this country especialy obese people are not very likely to suffer this kind of deficiency.

Edited January 3, 2010 by JoJo1

[zobee 0]

Ha ha! I don't think I have scurvy, though it would have been cool to be able to say "argh" and "shiver me timbers" and what not. But no, my Vitamin C levels were all fine. Ah well, I suppose it is NOT the pirate's life for me, ROFL!

Vitamin D deficiency is a different animal. I found that part of the article very interesting. And as the internist said it was severe enough that OTC Vitamins were not enough for mine, perhaps there is something in that. I'll have to bring this up with the doctor on Monday.

In the meantime, I will eat much fish and consume much dairy, and do my best WALL-E impersonation (BONG!) and try to find some sunshine in which to recharge my (vitamin) D batteries.

Thanks again!

[hmarko 0]

Oh I have no intention of starting again, LOL. I've made sure of that:

I bought an electronic cigarette and given myself full permission to use it anytime I feel like I need a hit of nicotine.

Problem is, the electronic cigarettes taste like dead people in your mouth. :smile2: I do not like dead people in my mouth, lol, hence, I do not smoke.

I still believe it has more to do with nutrition, but I'll definitely keep your advise in mind. Thanks again for your input!

Do you think it may be the nicotine going direct to your mouth from the electronic cigarette- you think there is a difference there than smoking

Read below for my weird thing w/ gums

1. <LI itxtvisited="1">People who are deficient in

Vitamin C may be at increased risk for periodontal disease. Vitamin C supplements can improve the gum health of those people who have a low Vitamin C intake (those who eat few fruits and vegetables). Vitamin C along with flavonoids (300 mg per day of each) have shown to improve gums health in people with gingivitis.

<LI itxtvisited="1">A 0.1% solution of folic acid used as a mouth rinse can reduce gum inflammation and bleeding in people with gingivitis.

Preliminary evidence has linked gingivitis to a coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency.

I have lichen planus which maybe Humming Bird can explain better...the conclusion is that most docs have not heard of it and know much about it but it totally got aggravated/worse after surgery for some reason. supplements and drugs can make it worse. I went on steroid rinse for it and it got better and in discussing w/ my dentist I mentioned I thought the vit C made it worse and he said Vit C makes it better... so I started taking the vit C again and guess what.. after it was nearly gone it got bad again. Anyway this caused bleeding gums and it wasn't related to gingivitis but this inflammation that is an autoimmune thing it seems. I think its rare (not sure maybe it isn't that rare just that they don't seem to know a lot about it) but if you can't find any other causes look into that.

I wonder if the the chewable C is irritiating to our gums - lichen planus or not - because its acidic. Hummingbird what do you think?

[rjo132 17]

Hey zobee, I'm gonna jump in here. I, too, am a practicing Reg Dental Hygienist for 30 + yrs. Here's a thought: If your hygienist cleans your teeth well, cking below the gumline for tartar, and finds no visible reasons for bleeding, ask her about a rinse "GingiMed or PerioMed" which are prescription strength fluoride rinses which will help tighten the tissue and help your sympton of bleeding. There is also another medicated rinse called "Peridex" which is chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate. We use it when a patient is having symptons of puffiness, inflamation, redness, bleeding, perio disease, etc. It will not make the problem go away, but will help the symptons until you can find the underlying issue. If you choose to use the CHX, you may notice a slight staining but not to worry, that stain will polish off.

If your home care is what you say it is, keep cking for a nutritional deficit. (Are you threading the floss? Butler GUM threaders are the best) In my opinion, it's unlikely that it would be the ortho elastic allergy...your lips would also be swelling.

Hope you get the problem remedied soon, Good luck!

[Humming Bird 275]

zobee, LOL, I hope the scurvy thing doesn't make you start brushing too hard! Yes, it could very well be a sensitivity to the ortho elastics. Sure a true allergy would make the lips swell, but a sensitivity to it would not. I have seen it and the results when the ortho is removed.

hmarko, lichen planus ....... that's one I will have to break out the ol text book on. I might have to get back to ya on that one. I have seen some patients with symptoms kind of like that who get it to go away with a simple switch in brands of tooth paste. It's strange how a different brand will do strange things to your saliva and tissues. I'll think on it and look it up though and get back to ya. Do you use an inhaler for asthma?

[zobee 0]

@hmarko I don't think it has to do with the nicotine, but good thinking! My reasoning is that I only used the electronic cigarette about four times before I put it away, and that was about 12 weeks ago. It just tasted gross, lol!

The lichen planus thing sounds like a real pain to have to deal with -- sorry to hear that! I don't think that I have this either. I looked up the symptoms, and I don't really have any of them. As to Vitamin C, other than the Flintstones, I'm not chewing any other Vitamins, so not sure it is that -- but way to brainstorm!

@mogirl I'll write that down and bring it to my dentist's office with me so I don't forget those brands -- thanks for the suggestion!

LOL, when she sees the list of notes I have for her, my hygienist is going to think I've finally lost my mind!

[Humming Bird 275]

hmarko, I did look up the lichen planus. I just wanted to make sure I was thinking of the right condition.

I know the patients that we have seen with this condition did get it to go away with the proper Rx.

The best person to go see about it would be a periodontist. They do treat periodontal disease, but they are also the experts when it comes to conditions of all oral tissues. You really should go see one and get that to go away.

[hmarko 0]

Hummingbird - thanks for looking it up. I've seen a bunch of diff types of people. It never really goes away it just has flare ups (now its back to calm after steriods). I've seen in addition to my regular dentist - the specialist dentist who biopsied it; a dermatologist who specializes in weird things and aren't all dentists periodontists? what is the difference? Didn't mean to hijjack the thread but that causes bleeding too (I think I read that 25% of people have the oral type but I could be wrong).

I don't take an asthma inhaler but I used to a long while ago - stopped it for years. Aldactone has made it worse too (for PCO).

[Humming Bird 275]

no, all dentists are not periodontists. Many general dentists do try to keep much work in-office due to $$, but a periodontist has a great deal more education than a general dentist and they are specialist in the area you need. If a general dentist has not resolved the problem, he/she should have sent you to a periodontist.

[abbylamb 1]

you know, you aren't alone on this one! while i'm not nearly so obsessive about my teeth (just twice a day, thanks!) i too have noticed bleeding gums when i brush my teeth. this started post op, so i definitely think it's got to be nutrient linked. (and my doc has me on two children's Vitamins too! curious.) but my dic did give me script for Vitamin d capsules, but i'm not supposed to start taking them until 6 weeks post op!

[happy2lose 0]

I agree with you. I do not think it is an oral hygiene problem .... with the OCD and all. LOL

I love patients with that type of OCD ! I joke around with patients, friends and family about my own disorder that I call OCFD. (obcessive compulsive flossing disorder)

Humming Bird,

I share your disorder. I can barely make it through a meal without flossing in between. I can't stand to have food between my teeth, it drives me crazy or perhaps I'm already crazy!

[zobee 0]

you know, you aren't alone on this one! while i'm not nearly so obsessive about my teeth (just twice a day, thanks!) i too have noticed bleeding gums when i brush my teeth. this started post op, so i definitely think it's got to be nutrient linked. (and my doc has me on two children's Vitamins too! curious.) but my dic did give me script for Vitamin d capsules, but i'm not supposed to start taking them until 6 weeks post op!

Don't take this the wrong way, but it's so nice to hear that you are also having this problem -- or more to the point, it's good to know that I'm not alone. I couldn't get in touch with my doctor today, but I'm going to keep trying until I get a call back. If you learn something before I do, please let me know!