Smokers have a higher risk for gum disease, oral cancer, and other serious health problems than people who don’t smoke. Gum disease is one of the most common oral problems smokers experience, which can cause bleeding gums, gum recession, and tooth loss. Smoking also causes bad breath, stained teeth, dark gums, and a decreased sense of taste and smell. Quitting smoking can improve your oral health and make it easier to keep your teeth healthy. In this blog post, we look at what causes bleeding gums after quitting smoking.
Why Do I Have Bleeding Gums?
Bleeding gums is a sign of gum disease, or periodontal disease, a bacterial infection of the gums. Poor oral hygiene causes the accumulation of plaque on teeth, which is a sticky film of bacteria. Bacteria in dental plaque release toxins that irritate the gums, causing bleeding and swelling. If bacterial plaque isn’t removed by brushing and flossing every day, it will harden into tartar, which can only be removed by a professional cleaning. Poor oral hygiene routine and smoking are the most common causes of gum disease.
Many smokers don’t know they have gum disease from tobacco until it is too late because smoking hides the signs of gum disease such as red, swollen, and bleeding gums. If you are a smoker, you may notice other signs and symptoms, indicating you have gum disease. Effects of gum disease include:
- Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- Painful chewing
- Gum abscess
- Gum recession, the teeth appear longer than usual
- Infected pockets
- Loose teeth and even tooth loss
After quitting smoking, you may start to notice red, swollen, and bleeding gums. We will discuss why this happens in more detail below.
The Relation between Smoking & Gum Disease
Smokers have twice the risk for gum disease in comparison with nonsmokers. Harmful effects of smoking on oral health include:
- Smoking dries out your mouth, making it harder to fight off oral bacteria. Saliva plays an important role in cleansing the mouth and the elimination of bacteria.
- Smoking reduces the blood flow to your gums, which hampers your ability to fight off gum disease.
- The chemicals in cigarette smoke irritate the gums and mouth tissue.
- Slow down healing after mouth surgery and may prevent healing after tooth extractions.
- Smoking weakens your body’s immune system, making it harder for your body to fight infection.
- Increased risk for mouth cancer.
If you are a smoker, you may not notice gums bleeding but it may appear after quitting smoking. So, if you notice other signs and symptoms of gum disease, consult a dentist as soon as possible to get it treated and prevent complications.
Why Do My Gums Start Bleeding After Quitting Smoking?
When you smoke, the nicotine in cigarettes constricts the blood vessels in your mouth. Reduced blood flow decreases the amount of blood and oxygen that reaches your gums. It can cause the gums to become inflamed and eventually to recede from the teeth. Reduced blood flow and oxygen can also damage the gums and make them more susceptible to infection.
It means that smoking causes poor gingival blood flow, which worsens the condition of gums and hides the signs of gum infection like red, swollen, or bleeding gums.
After you quit smoking, the blood supply in your gums will improve, and the gums will get more blood and oxygen. Bleeding gums after quitting smoking can be a sign of an infection or other problem because smoking was hiding it before.
Can Gums Bleeding Stop After Quitting Smoking?
Quitting smoking can improve the health of your gums but bleeding gums may not go away until you treat the underlying cause. So, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible for an oral exam to determine the cause of bleeding gums and treat it.
Bleeding gums after quitting smoking can be a sign of many problems, such as:
- Gum disease (gingivitis to periodontitis).
- Brushing your teeth too hard.
- Start a flossing routine or flossing your teeth incorrectly.
- Pregnancy gingivitis.
- Vitamin deficiency (Vitamin C and K)
- Taking certain medications, such as blood thinners
- A warning sign of diabetes meelitus.
- Medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders and leukemia.
How to Stop Bleeding Gums After Quitting Smoking?
To stop bleeding gums after quitting smoking, you need to treat the underlying cause. So, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible for an oral exam to determine the cause of bleeding gums and treat it.
Gum bleeding in smokers usually occurs as a sign of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, which can be categorized into:
- Gingivitis: The earliest stage of gum disease characterized by gum inflammation, bad breath, and gum bleeding.
- Periodontitis: The advanced stage of gum disease characterized by the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues and bone loss.
In plaque-induced gingivitis, your dentist may recommend professional teeth cleaning to remove the buildup of plaque and tartar. Also, improving oral hygiene routine is essential for gum health.
Gum disease treatment includes scaling and root planing. Scaling is a procedure in which your dentist will use instruments to remove bacterial plaque and tartar from below the gum line. Root planing is a procedure in which your dentist will smooth your tooth surfaces to prevent plaque buildup.
In severe gum disease, your dentist may suggest gum surgery to allow your gums to fit snugly around the teeth again. Also, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help control the infection.
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, leading to the destruction of soft tissues and bone structure supporting teeth. Effects of bone loss include periodontal pockets, loose teeth, and tooth loss. With proper care, gums heal after quitting smoking.
Home Care Tips
In addition to visiting your dentist, there are some things you can do at home to help improve gum health and stop bleeding gums after quitting smoking. Follow these oral care routines to maintain good dental health.
- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily to remove food debris and dental plaque.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently in a circular motion. Don’t scrub too hard or use harsh toothpaste because it can irritate your gums and mouth tissue.
- Use dental floss or interdental cleaners to remove dental plaque and food particles between teeth.
- Use antimicrobial mouthwash to prevent the buildup of plaque.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist. A dehydrated mouth can contribute to gum disease and tooth decay, as insufficient saliva allows bad bacteria to thrive.
- See your dentist at least once every six months for a check-up and professional teeth cleaning.
Bleeding Gums After Quitting Smoking – Conclusion
When you smoke, the nicotine in cigarettes constricts the blood vessels in your mouth, which decreases blood flow in your gums. Poor blood circulation worsens the condition of gums and makes the gums more susceptible to infection.
If your gums become infected, signs like gum redness, swelling, or bleeding may go unnoticed due to the poor blood circulation in the gums. After you quit smoking, the blood flow in your gums will improve, causing gum bleeding in smokers.
Bleeding gums after quitting smoking can be a sign of an infection or other problem. So, visit your dentist as soon as possible for an oral exam to determine the underlying cause and treat it. Prevention is better than a cure, so maintain good dental hygiene and visit your dentist regularly for professional teeth cleaning to keep your mouth and gums healthy.
