Scurvy: What Disorders Does It Tell?

Scurvy may be a disease that most people are familiar with. Apart

from too harsh brushing or using a toothbrush with coarse bristles that injure the gum, scurvy may be caused by:

• Gum disease: it is a main cause of scurvy that contributes to 90% of the cases. Unhealthy gum can be prevented by regularly receiving a screening test and getting rid of the causes. This includes getting rid of plaque, receiving dental scaling, and getting gum disease treated, for example.
• Taking anticoagulants, such as aspirin, warfarin, or heparin. That is because gums are full of blood vessels. This makes gums prone to bleeding when taking this kind of medications.
• Excessive bleeding due to a low blood platelet count or lack of protein that helps in the coagulation of blood.
• Having a blood disorder, such as white blood cell cancer which is commonly known as leukemia.
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menstruation, which may cause a swollen gum and easy bleeding.

If it’s gum disease, after receiving scaling / root planing and proper oral hygiene care the symptom of bleeding gum will gradually diminish. However, if the bleeding does not stop or occurs frequently even after trying to brush the teeth more properly, one should see a dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.