Symptom guide
Bleeding Gums: What Causes Them and What Helps
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss are common, and they’re usually a sign your gums need more care. Learn the causes, what helps at home and when to see a dentist.
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Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
The most common reason is gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, caused by plaque building up at the gumline. Brushing too hard, starting to floss, pregnancy and blood thinners can also cause bleeding. Brush gently with a soft brush and floss daily. If bleeding lasts more than two weeks, see a dentist.
What could be causing my bleeding gums?
Most often, bleeding gums are caused by plaque building up at the gumline, which leads to gingivitis. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria. If it isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar, which only a dental professional can remove.
Other causes include brushing too hard, a new flossing habit, hormone changes, certain medicines, dentures that don’t fit well and some health conditions. The checklist below covers the most common ones.
What does gingivitis look like?
Gingivitis usually makes gums red, swollen and quick to bleed, especially when you brush or floss. You may also notice bad breath that doesn’t go away, or gums that feel tender when you chew. Our swollen gums guide covers puffy gums in more detail.
Early gingivitis is easy to miss, and gum disease can be present with no warning signs at all. That’s one reason regular cleanings and exams matter.
The good news is that gingivitis is reversible. A professional cleaning followed by careful daily brushing and flossing can usually clear it up, though it can come back if plaque builds up again.
At a glance
Common causes of bleeding gums
Bleeding usually has a simple cause, but a dentist can confirm what’s behind yours.
- Gingivitis Plaque at the gumline inflames gums so they bleed easily. Caught early, it can be reversed.
- Periodontitis Advanced gum disease that can damage the bone and tissue that hold teeth in place.
- Brushing too hard A hard brush or heavy pressure can irritate gums. Switch to a soft brush and a light touch.
- Starting to floss New flossers often bleed at first. It usually settles within about a week.
- Hormone changes Pregnancy, puberty and menopause can make gums swollen, tender and more likely to bleed.
- Blood thinners These medicines can make gums bleed more easily. Never stop one without your provider’s advice.
- Dentures that don’t fit Poorly fitting dentures or appliances can rub and irritate the gums.
- Other health conditions Diabetes, a lack of vitamin C or vitamin K, bleeding disorders and leukemia can also cause gums to bleed.
What gum disease is worse than gingivitis?
Periodontitis is the more serious stage of gum disease, and it can destroy the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place.
Signs include gums pulling away from your teeth, teeth that feel loose or start to separate, changes in your bite or in how a partial denture fits, and bad breath or a bad taste that won’t go away. If a tooth feels loose, see our guide to a loose adult tooth.
Bone lost to periodontitis doesn’t grow back on its own, which is why treating bleeding gums early matters. Learn about gum disease treatment at our office.
What helps bleeding gums at home?
Gentle, thorough cleaning every day is the most helpful thing you can do at home.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft or extra-soft brush, using light pressure.
- Clean between your teeth every day with floss, interdental brushes, picks or a water flosser.
- Rinse with warm salt water. Ask your dentist before using a mouthwash, especially one with alcohol.
- If your gums are bleeding, press a clean gauze pad soaked in ice water against the area.
- Avoid tobacco, which makes gum bleeding and gum disease worse.
- Eat a balanced diet and cut back on snacks and sugary foods.
New to flossing?
Gums often bleed a little when you start flossing. MouthHealthy, from the American Dental Association, says this typically settles within about a week as your gums adjust.
Can medicines cause bleeding gums?
Yes. Blood thinners and some other medicines can make your gums bleed more easily.
If you take a blood thinner and your gums don’t stop bleeding quickly, contact your physician. Don’t stop or change any medicine on your own. Talk with the provider who prescribed it first.
Avoid aspirin unless a provider has recommended it. Tell our team about every medicine you take, including over-the-counter products and supplements, so the dentist has the full picture.
When are bleeding gums an emergency?
Bleeding gums usually aren’t an emergency, but bleeding that won’t stop with firm pressure is. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Bleeding that won’t stop when you press on it
- Swelling in your face, under your jaw or in your neck that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
- Swelling below your eye, or swelling that affects your vision
- A high fever along with swelling
- A serious injury to your mouth, face or jaw
Bleeding with no clear cause
See a dentist or doctor soon if your gums bleed for no clear reason or you have other unexplained symptoms. Now and then, bleeding gums point to a health problem outside the mouth.
When should I see a dentist for bleeding gums?
See a dentist if your gums bleed for more than two weeks, bleed without a clear reason, or come with swelling or bad breath.
At your visit, the dentist will look at your teeth and gums and ask about your symptoms, how you brush and floss, your diet and your medicines. X-rays can show whether gum disease has affected the bone, and sometimes a blood test is suggested to rule out other causes.
For gingivitis, treatment usually starts with a professional cleaning and better home care. For periodontitis, the dentist may recommend a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing, which removes tartar and bacteria below the gumline.
Our Murrieta office works with most dental insurance plans, including most PPOs. Our dental insurance page explains more, and our team is happy to answer questions about your plan.
How can I keep my gums from bleeding?
You can often prevent gum bleeding by keeping plaque under control every day and getting regular professional cleanings.
- Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth once a day.
- Keep up with checkups and cleanings so tartar is removed before it causes trouble.
- Quit smoking and other tobacco. It’s the most significant risk factor for gum disease.
- If you have diabetes, keep it well managed.
- Limit sugar and alcohol.
Use your benefits
Many dental benefits renew at the end of the year, and our team is happy to help you use yours before then.
Questions & answers
Common questions
What kills gingivitis fast?
There’s no instant fix, but gingivitis can usually be reversed with a professional cleaning followed by careful brushing twice a day and daily flossing. A dentist may also suggest an antibacterial mouthwash. If your gums still bleed after two weeks of better brushing and flossing, see a dentist, because the cause may need more than home care.
Can you smell if someone has gingivitis?
Sometimes. Bad breath or a bad taste that doesn’t go away is a common sign of gum disease, because bacteria build up along and under the gumline. Bad breath has other causes too, so it isn’t proof on its own. If it comes with bleeding or swollen gums, it’s worth having your gums checked.
What can be mistaken for gingivitis?
Gums can bleed or look irritated for reasons other than gingivitis, such as brushing too hard, a new flossing routine, hormone changes during pregnancy, dentures that rub, or medicines like blood thinners. Less often, a vitamin deficiency or a blood disorder is the cause. A dental exam, and sometimes blood tests, can sort out what’s going on.
What foods promote healthy gums?
No single food protects your gums, but a balanced diet helps. MedlinePlus suggests eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks and carbohydrates, and a serious lack of vitamin C or vitamin K can cause gums to bleed. Fruits and vegetables supply vitamin C. Cutting back on sugary foods and drinks also helps limit the plaque that leads to gum disease.
Is it normal for gums to bleed when you floss?
A little bleeding is common when you first start, but bleeding that keeps happening after you’ve been flossing regularly is usually a sign of inflamed gums. Floss gently, guiding it along the side of each tooth instead of snapping it into the gum. If bleeding hasn’t improved within two weeks, see a dentist.
Keep reading
Related care and answers
Gum Disease Treatment
Bleeding or swollen gums? Learn the signs of gingivitis and periodontitis, how a deep cleaning works, and how
Dental Cleanings & Exams
What happens at a dental checkup: cleaning, exam, X-rays when needed, oral cancer screening and gum checks. Us
Swollen Gums
What causes swollen gums, safe ways to calm them at home, when swelling is an emergency, and when to see a den
Bad Breath
Most bad breath starts in the mouth. Learn the common causes, what helps at home, when it can signal a health
Loose Adult Tooth
A loose permanent tooth is never typical. Learn the common causes, safe steps at home, emergency warning signs
Sources
- Bleeding Gums: Causes & Treatment · Cleveland Clinic
- Bleeding gums · MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Bleeding Gums · American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)
- Periodontal (Gum) Disease · National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
- Gum Disease · American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)
- Gingivitis: Symptoms & How To Treat It · Cleveland Clinic
- Toothache: Symptoms, Causes & Remedies · Cleveland Clinic
- Ludwig’s Angina: Symptoms, Signs & Treatment · Cleveland Clinic
Golden Triangle Dentistry is not affiliated with these organizations. Links open in a new tab.
Important information: This page shares general information and is not a diagnosis; a dental exam is needed to know why your gums bleed. For bleeding that won’t stop with pressure, get emergency care.
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Gums still bleeding?
Call Golden Triangle Dentistry at (951) 677-1054 to have your gums checked and talk about next steps.