What’s Your Body Trying to Tell You?

Bleeding Gums

Most Likely Causes

Bacteria may be stuck between your teeth and gums, releasing acid that's irritating your gums and causing the bleeding. Stress or hormonal changes (during pregnancy, PMS, or perimenopause) are prime triggers for bacteria to flourish, because surging hormones can diminish the immune system's ability to combat the bacteria.
 
 

Less Likely Causes

Full-blown gum disease can cause bloody gums. In rare cases, bleeding gums are a sign of oral cancer.
 
 What to do: 

• Brush twice a day, and floss at least once. Using an antibacterial mouth rinse can also help cut down on bacteria and clear away debris.
• See your dentist for regular cleanings, and have any mouth sore that doesn't heal checked out to make sure it's not an infection or cancerous.