Contents:
- Medical Video: 16 Signs Your Blood Sugar Is High & 8 Diabetes Symptoms
- Various causes of bleeding saliva
- 1. Mouth sores
- 2. Gingivitis
- 3. Cancer
- 4. Smoking
- Then, when do I need to go to the doctor?
Medical Video: 16 Signs Your Blood Sugar Is High & 8 Diabetes Symptoms
Bloody saliva can occur as a result of a wound in the oral cavity, it could be that you have a wrong tooth causing injury. However, do not underestimate this condition. The reason is, bleeding saliva can be a sign of certain health problems that are more severe. Anything?
Various causes of bleeding saliva
No need to panic really when your saliva bleeds. However, don't be underestimated, either. The following are various common causes of bleeding saliva, such as:
1. Mouth sores
Mouth sores are the most common cause. This condition can attack the lips and inner mouth area. Usually this condition is triggered by various things such as:
- Minor injury, such as accidentally biting the cheek.
- Brushing your teeth too hard.
- Use toothpaste and mouthwash containing lauryl sulfate.
- Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), vitamin B3 (pellagra), B12, folic acid, iron deficiency anemia, and zinc.
- Have inflammatory bowel disease or inflammatory bowel disease.
- Have celiac disease.
- Having problems with the immune system.
If the saliva bleeds because of an injury to the mouth you usually don't need to be too dizzy looking for ways to overcome it. Because the wound will generally disappear by itself.
Unless after more than one month the wound persists and even gets worse, you can consult a doctor. Usually the doctor will recommend you mouthwash containing dexamethasone or lidocaine.
In addition, over-the-counter medicines such as hydrogen peroxide, benzocaine (Anbesol, Orabase), and fluocinonide (Vanos, Lidex) are also sufficient to help relieve mouth sores. Not enough to get there, you should also consume a variety of foods that contain folate, zinc, vitamin B12, and also vitamin B6.
2. Gingivitis
Gingivitis or gingivitis is a disease of the mouth that causes the gums to become irritated, reddish, and swollen. Usually this condition attacks the gums around the base of your teeth. Inflamed gums will usually bleed easily especially when exposed to hard objects such as toothbrushes. Well, this blood will later be seen in your saliva.
Gingivitis arises from a condition of the mouth that is not kept clean. Therefore, a solution that can be done to prevent it is to maintain the cleanliness of your teeth and mouth. Brushing your teeth twice a day, doing flossing every day, and regular dental checks can help prevent and restore gum conditions as usual.
3. Cancer
Other causes of bloody saliva to watch out for are cancer. Because, some types of cancer can cause blood in saliva, such as:
- Oral cancer, usually occurs on the inside of the mouth both on the gums, tongue, inner cheeks and palate and floor of the mouth.
- Throat cancer, usually characterized by tumors that develop in the throat, larynx (ballot box), or tonsils.
- Leukemia, a cancer that attacks blood and bone marrow.
Treatment for cancer is usually adjusted to the stage, location, type, current health conditions, and various other important factors. The various treatments that are usually done to help cure cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy.
4. Smoking
Smokers often experience bloody saliva conditions. According to Pramod Kerkar, MD, FFARCSI, doctors graduating from Wayne State University School of Medicine, United States, smokers usually find blood in their saliva in the morning when they wake up.
Because, smoking can irritate the gums and increase the risk of respiratory problems including cancer and the possibility of bleeding in other respiratory organs. This condition ultimately causes blood in saliva.
Then, when do I need to go to the doctor?
When you find it difficult to judge when you need to go to a doctor when you find blood in saliva, then try to see other symptoms that accompany it. Usually a health condition that indicates a serious problem does not only bring up one symptom, but there must be another sign that accompanies it. Various other symptoms that need to be watched out and need to see a doctor immediately such as:
- Sprue that continues to recur.
- Gums that always bleed every time they brush their teeth or do flossing.
- Gums are red, swollen and painful when touched.
- Gum protruding above the teeth.
- Sensitivity to heat or cold.
- Having trouble swallowing.
Besides you need to pay attention to the accompanying symptoms above, you also need to pay attention to color, blood viscosity and the amount of blood released through your saliva. Because this can also help doctors recognize the cause of your saliva bleeding.
