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What Causes Blood In Saliva And Bleeding Gums?
Question: I am a mouth breather and Ive noticed that when I sleep on my back and snore I sometimes wake up with blood in my saliva when I spit. It only happens occasionally (on and off the last few years). Could the snoring / breathing be causing this? I have no pain or other symptoms although I do get allergies from time to time
Brief Answer:
It is very usual and generally no serious causes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
Blood from the mouth can have different reasons and can be of different kinds.
If you get stripes of blood with the saliva this is very likely not something to worry.
Most of the times it comes from the teeth and mouth mucosa and is mostly some spot on the pillow: you can notice some dry or wet saliva spots with few light brown areas- this is very normal.
Sometimes due to breathing with the mouth the mucosa get irritated and might bleed a little.
Make sure you have a good mouth hygiene also so the gingiva are not inflamed and easily bleed. Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day at least and floss regularly. Mouth washes might help your gingiva be healthy also. if you have not seen the dentist in the last year this might be a good chance to see him and make sure your teeth are doing well.
Presence of other symptoms like weight loss, difficulty swallowing, weakness, cough are important and need medical attention.
I would also say that if you have clear red blood come out this is more rare and more important causes might be considered. Especially if you smoke... you will need to have a visit with a doctor if you smoke and you see clear red blood comming out from your mouth. Smoking might cause improtant changes in the lips, mouth mucosa and throat that might bring up bloody secretions and need good medical attention. Quiting smoking is a good decision if it is made.
I hope this is helpful to you and answers to your questions but please feel free to ask if anymore clarifications are needed.
Kind regards,
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
It is very usual and generally no serious causes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
Blood from the mouth can have different reasons and can be of different kinds.
If you get stripes of blood with the saliva this is very likely not something to worry.
Most of the times it comes from the teeth and mouth mucosa and is mostly some spot on the pillow: you can notice some dry or wet saliva spots with few light brown areas- this is very normal.
Sometimes due to breathing with the mouth the mucosa get irritated and might bleed a little.
Make sure you have a good mouth hygiene also so the gingiva are not inflamed and easily bleed. Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day at least and floss regularly. Mouth washes might help your gingiva be healthy also. if you have not seen the dentist in the last year this might be a good chance to see him and make sure your teeth are doing well.
Presence of other symptoms like weight loss, difficulty swallowing, weakness, cough are important and need medical attention.
I would also say that if you have clear red blood come out this is more rare and more important causes might be considered. Especially if you smoke... you will need to have a visit with a doctor if you smoke and you see clear red blood comming out from your mouth. Smoking might cause improtant changes in the lips, mouth mucosa and throat that might bring up bloody secretions and need good medical attention. Quiting smoking is a good decision if it is made.
I hope this is helpful to you and answers to your questions but please feel free to ask if anymore clarifications are needed.
Kind regards,
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for your reply.
Fortunately I have never smoked but I am concerned about what you mean by "clear red blood" as the blood I see is clear red but it does seem to be part of the saliva in my mouth rather than simply blood on its own. Is this what you mean? It only seems to happen when I have slept on my back and my mouth has been open (which I am trying to avoid). I do suffer from bleeding gums when I brush them so I do brush regularly. I will also try a mouth wash and floss as recommended.
Thank you again
Fortunately I have never smoked but I am concerned about what you mean by "clear red blood" as the blood I see is clear red but it does seem to be part of the saliva in my mouth rather than simply blood on its own. Is this what you mean? It only seems to happen when I have slept on my back and my mouth has been open (which I am trying to avoid). I do suffer from bleeding gums when I brush them so I do brush regularly. I will also try a mouth wash and floss as recommended.
Thank you again
Brief Answer:
See a dentist, have good oral hygiene- watch bleeding in areas of the body
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thank you for your reply and update...
If you have irritated gingiva than this is very likely the cause of the bleeding. You will need to speak with your dentist on how to have healthier gingiva because they are more prone to bleed when you breath with your mouth as they might get more irritated from the dry air.
Following the above instructions on mouth hygiene should help a lot but still I would recommend you to see the dentist also.
What i meant with clear blood is big amount of bright blood not much mixed with saliva. But still if your gingiva bleed easy as you said it might be a cause for bright blood too.
1. So first see a dentist as soon as you can
2. Have a good mouth hygiene
3. If you have skin spots (bruises), nose bleeds and dark black stools, this means you are bleeding in other parts of the body and in this case you will need to see a doctor to have some other tests done.
Kind regards,
Dr Antoneta
See a dentist, have good oral hygiene- watch bleeding in areas of the body
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thank you for your reply and update...
If you have irritated gingiva than this is very likely the cause of the bleeding. You will need to speak with your dentist on how to have healthier gingiva because they are more prone to bleed when you breath with your mouth as they might get more irritated from the dry air.
Following the above instructions on mouth hygiene should help a lot but still I would recommend you to see the dentist also.
What i meant with clear blood is big amount of bright blood not much mixed with saliva. But still if your gingiva bleed easy as you said it might be a cause for bright blood too.
1. So first see a dentist as soon as you can
2. Have a good mouth hygiene
3. If you have skin spots (bruises), nose bleeds and dark black stools, this means you are bleeding in other parts of the body and in this case you will need to see a doctor to have some other tests done.
Kind regards,
Dr Antoneta
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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