Bleeding Gums: Causes and What to Do

Bleeding gums are most often caused by gingivitis – inflammation from plaque building up along the gumline. Keep brushing gently twice a day, clean between your teeth daily and see a dentist if the bleeding lasts more than a week or two. At Toothi London in Edgware, a check-up is £55 and a hygiene appointment starts at £70.

Healthy gums are pale pink, firm and do not usually bleed when you brush. Bleeding is a sign that the gum tissue is inflamed or irritated. The most common causes are:

• ✓  Gingivitis. By far the most common cause. Plaque – a sticky film of bacteria – builds up where the teeth meet the gums. The gums become red, puffy and bleed easily. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and is usually reversible.
• ✓  Brushing too hard. A hard-bristled brush or a heavy scrubbing action can damage the gum. Use a soft or medium brush with gentle, small circular movements.
• ✓  Starting to floss or use interdental brushes. It is common for gums to bleed for the first week or two. This usually settles as the gums get healthier, so keep going gently.
• ✓  Pregnancy. Hormone changes make gums more sensitive to plaque, so “pregnancy gingivitis” is common. Keep up good cleaning and keep your dental appointments.
• ✓  Medicines. Blood thinners (anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines) can make gums bleed more easily. Some other medicines can cause gum swelling. Never stop a prescribed medicine without speaking to your doctor first.
• ✓  Smoking. Smoking can hide the bleeding by reducing blood flow to the gums, so gum disease can progress without obvious warning signs.

Rarely, bleeding gums can be linked to a general health condition, such as a blood or clotting disorder, poorly controlled diabetes or a vitamin deficiency. See your GP if your gums bleed a lot with no clear cause, or if you also notice unusual bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding elsewhere, or you feel very tired and unwell.

Often, yes. Gum disease starts as gingivitis, which affects only the gums and can usually be reversed with good cleaning and professional hygiene care. If it is left untreated, some people go on to develop periodontitis. This affects the bone and tissues that hold the teeth in place and cannot be fully reversed, although it can usually be controlled.

Signs that gum disease may be more advanced include bad breath or a bad taste that does not go away, gums that are shrinking back, teeth that feel loose or have moved, and pus around the gums. Our gum disease treatment guide explains the stages in more detail.

Do not stop brushing because your gums bleed. Plaque is usually the cause, so leaving it in place tends to make bleeding worse. These steps help most people:

If your gums are still bleeding after one to two weeks of careful cleaning, book an appointment. Hardened plaque (tartar) cannot be removed with a toothbrush and needs professional cleaning.

Book a dental appointment if:

• ✓  Your gums still bleed after one to two weeks of brushing and cleaning between your teeth properly.
• ✓  Your gums are swollen, sore or receding, or you have bad breath that will not go away.
• ✓  Your teeth feel loose or your bite feels different.
• ✓  You are pregnant and your gums are bleeding – regular dental care during pregnancy is important.

Get urgent help if your gums will not stop bleeding after an injury or tooth removal despite firm pressure with a clean, damp gauze or cloth for 20 minutes.

Most dental problems can wait for a normal appointment, but some need emergency medical help. Call 999 or go to A&E if you have:

• ✓  Swelling that is spreading across your face, jaw or neck.
• ✓  Swelling that affects your breathing, swallowing or eye – including an eye that is closing up.
• ✓  A high temperature alongside tooth pain or swelling, or you feel generally very unwell.
• ✓  A significant injury to the face, mouth or teeth such as after a fall, sports injury or accident.

If your dental practice is closed and the problem can’t wait, call NHS 111 for advice. For pain while you wait, take your usual painkiller, following the packet instructions; ask a pharmacist if unsure. If you are a Toothi patient or live locally, call 020 3148 2444 as early as you can and we’ll find you the soonest appointment. Our guide to dental emergencies when your clinic is closed explains your options.

At your check-up, the dentist will examine your gums, measure the depth of the gaps between the gums and teeth, and may take X-rays to look at the bone around the teeth. This shows whether you have gingivitis or periodontitis.

For most people with gingivitis, treatment is a professional clean to remove plaque and tartar, followed by personalised advice on brushing and cleaning between the teeth. If there are signs of periodontitis, a longer course of deeper cleaning may be recommended, and more complex cases may be referred to a registered specialist periodontist.

At Toothi London, 1 Handel Parade, Edgware, we start with a check-up to find the cause, then plan the right hygiene care for you.

Read more about our hygiene appointments and Airflow cleaning, or book a dental check-up. We are open seven days.