Blood in the mouth: possible causes

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Extract from the article: One morning, you notice blood in your saliva. The sight of this blood is worrying. Is it normal? Why should it be? According to Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner at the Floréal clinic in Lomé, medication, poor dental hygiene and tumours

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One morning, you notice blood in your saliva. The sight of this blood is worrying. Is it normal? Why should it be? According to Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner at the Floréal clinic in Lomé, medication, poor dental hygiene and tumours may be to blame.

Some people find that they have blood in their mouth, even if it's only a small amount. The presence of blood in the mouth can have various origins.

Poor dental hygiene

Spontaneous bleeding from the mouth is often caused by inflammation of the gums, which swell and become red, sometimes accompanied by widespread sensitivity of the teeth to hot and cold. This is gingivitis. Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner at the Floréal clinic in Lomé, explains that « without regular, daily brushing, the bacteria in the mouth build up on the teeth, causing plaque and tartar to infiltrate the gums. Tartar deposits are formed partly by saliva and partly by blood in the event of gum bleeding ».

Brushing your teeth 2 or 3 times a day is often enough to prevent it. « It's also important to have your teeth checked 1 or 2 times a year.  Be careful: aggressive brushing that is too intense or too frequent can also be a cause. Use a soft toothbrush », advises Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner. Periodontitis can follow on from gingivitis. A more serious condition, it affects the deeper structures of the gums, such as the tissues supporting the teeth. This can lead to tooth loss.

The presence of a tumour

The first thing to determine about bleeding from the mouth is whether it is actually blood coming from the mouth or whether it appears as a result of clearing the throat or coughing.

According to Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, if this bleeding persists over time, even if only slightly, it is important to consult a doctor.This could be a serious pathology, such as cancer of the mouth, aerodigestive tract or lungs. « Whether benign or malignant, a tumour in the oral cavity or tongue often leads to spontaneous bleeding. Alcohol and, above all, tobacco are the two main factors contributing to the development of tumours, particularly oral cancers.Alcohol and, above all, tobacco are the two main factors contributing to the development of tumours, particularly oral cancers. The combination of the two increases the risk », he warns.

A side effect of taking medication

Certain medications can increase the risk of bleeding gums.  The GP points out that « spontaneous bleeding is a side effect of long-term treatment.  You need to talk to your doctor about this.It could be a sign of overdose.It can lead to major haemorrhaging or chronic anaemia ». 

High hormone levels

Certain conditions can lead to gingivitis and gingivorrhagia.  « This is the case with hormonal disturbances in women during very specific periods such as puberty and the menopause. This is also the case during pregnancy, when benign gravid gingivitis can be observed due to hormonal impregnation », points out the specialist.

A gum disease

« When bleeding is frequent, it is important to consult a dentist to find out whether you have developed gum disease such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Both of these conditions require special care», emphasises Dr Bakpatina. In fact, recurrent gingival bleeding is often the manifestation of gingivitis of bacterial origin. If this inflammation is not eliminated, it will slowly but progressively lead to periodontitis. This can lead to loss of tooth attachment.

William O.