Why Does Blood Appear in Your Saliva Frequently?
Seeing small amounts of blood in your saliva can occur when tiny blood vessels rupture or when the oral mucosa dries up.
Likely, injuring the oral tissues due to harsh brushing or flossing also leads to spitting up blood with saliva. In such cases, you don’t worry about blood-tinged saliva and it heals automatically within a few days.
However, if you notice a larger amount of blood in your saliva or if the bleeding continues for more than a week, it can be a cause for concern and should not be ignored. In this blog, we discuss the possible causes of blood in saliva. Read on to learn more.
What causes bloody saliva?
A damaged or infected dental cavity is one of the most common reasons for blood appearing in saliva. The dental issues that typically cause blood-tinged saliva include:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease and it can be identified with symptoms like gum bleeding and swollen gums. When gums bleed easily, small amounts of blood may mix with your saliva.
Deep cleaning treatments such as scaling and root planing, along with a consistent oral hygiene routine, can effectively help resolve this problem.
Mouth Ulcer
A mouth ulcer, also called a canker sore, is a common oral condition that causes small lesions on the tongue, cheeks, or lips. It usually occurs due to minor cuts, accidental bites, or trauma to the oral tissues.
These ulcers typically heal on their own without treatment but can cause pain, a burning sensation, and occasional bleeding until they resolve.
Oral Cancer
The growth of cancer cells on the throat, tongue, cheeks, palate, or other parts inside the mouth shows various atypical signs. Spitting up blood-tinged saliva is one of its warning signs.
Besides such problematic conditions of the mouth, various bodily disorders also cause spitting blood.
Why do i spit blood in the morning when i wake up, but is clear all day?
Morning blood in your saliva could be due to minor gum irritation or inflammation from brushing or dental issues. It often clears up as the day goes on. If it persists, see your dentist for a thorough check-up.
Systemic diseases responsible for getting blood in saliva
Different conditions trigger blood in saliva. The amount and frequency of spitting blood vary with the condition’s severity.
Similarly, saliva with dark streaks of blood accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, or other discomforts could be due to a diseased part of the body.
For instance, if a person has a respiratory disease, the sufferer might notices blood-tinged saliva and coughing.
Following are some of the medical conditions that are associated with blood in saliva:
- Digestive tract disorders
- Gastrointestinal diseases
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Lung cancer
- Perforated or Collapsed lungs
- Heart diseases
- Pulmonary edema
To summarize, severe spitting blood indicates that a person is suffering from a severe life-threatening condition and needs immediate medical intervention.
Bottom Line
Bloody saliva typically occurs due to injuries in our mouths. It is quite common and heals soon. Meanwhile, various systemic diseases and dental disorders also contribute to getting a large amount of blood in the saliva. In most cases, such saliva blood originated from infections in the respiratory system or digestive system.
Remember that the blood in saliva without any discomforts like vomiting, coughing, or others is triggered by problematic dental conditions.
However, a large amount of blood in your saliva that appears with extra distresses is a warning sign of some fatal diseases. Visit your dentist immediately if you notice blood in your saliva frequently or for more than weeks.
