Bleeding Gums

Should you be concerned if your gums bleed? Yes! Healthy gums don’t normally bleed. Unless there has been trauma, bleeding gums are usually a sign of gum disease. If not treated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and damage your health.

The good news is that gum disease is preventable. If you act quickly, bleeding gums can often be treated effectively at home. Here’s expert advice.

Index

Reviewed by
Dirna Grobbelaar, Oral Hygiene Advisor
Updated on January 17, 2024

Our oral hygiene experts have put together all the info you need to maintain a healthy mouth, prevent gum disease and stop bleeding gums in their tracks. Read on!

Bleeding gums are quite common, but they are not ‘normal’ – healthy gums won’t usually bleed unless there is trauma. Most often, bleeding gums are caused by build-up of plaque or tartar (hardened plaque). This irritates the gums and cause gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. Here’s how you can prevent and treat bleeding gums.

Are bleeding gums normal

Looking after your mouth health is an important part of looking after your overall body health. Just because bleeding gums are common, it doesn’t mean they’re ok. There are no circumstances when bleeding gums are ‘normal’. They are usually a sign that something is wrong and it’s time to take action to fix it.

Many people experience gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, at some point. The UK National Health Service estimates up to 90% of adults have it. If you have gingivitis, your gums may be red, swollen and bleed more easily. Gingivitis can be treated and is reversible.

If untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease, which can lead to bone and tooth loss. Periodontitis can be managed, but not cured. It is best prevented.

There’s a well-established link between gum diseases and a whole list of systemic diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and even low birthweight babies. Infection in the gums can easily spread to other parts of the body. This is why doctors advise patients to treat gum disease before surgery – to lower any risks.

Why gums bleed

The most common cause of bleeding gums is plaque and tartar. If not removed, plaque, a bacteria in the mouth, builds up on the teeth. It eventually forms tartar. Tartar is a hard, yellowish substance that can only safely be removed by a dental professional, not with usual brushing and flossing.

Plaque and tartar on the teeth can irritate gum tissue. This causes inflammation and eventually gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. Brushing and cleaning between the teeth correctly are the best forms of plaque control. By manually disrupting the plaque you prevent plaque and tartar build-up.

Some people think their gums bleed because they are brushing or flossing too hard. It’s more likely to be gum disease caused by not brushing or flossing correctly. If you have gum disease, good oral care is more important than ever!

Bleeding gums? Take the #HealthyGUMCheck now.

Causes of bleeding gums

Poor oral hygiene
Plaque and tartar build-up
Gum disease
Gingivitis
Periodontitis
Brushing too hard or using a very hard worn out brush
Incorrect flossing
Trauma to the gums (e.g. poorly-fitting dentures, orthodontics, oral surgery, tooth extractions)
Vitamin deficiency
Smoking – smokers are 2 x more likely to get gum disease

Not sure if your gums are healthy? Take our online #HealthyGUMCheck to quickly assess your gum health.

Does flossing make your gums bleed?

If you’re new to flossing, or if you only clean between the teeth occasionally, your gums may bleed a little at first. Plaque may have built up between the teeth, irritating the gums and potentially causing infection. The body’s response will be to send more blood to the infected area. This is why the gums may appear red, swollen or bleed.

If your gums bleed when you start to floss or clean between the teeth with an interdental brush or pick, carry on for a few days. Removing the plaque may be enough to clear up the infection and end the bleeding. If your gums continue to bleed after 2 to 3 days we recommend you see a dental professional for a professional clean which will remove plaque AND tartar.

If you floss too hard or use the wrong tool, you could damage the gum and cause bleeding.

Find out how to clean between the teeth effectively here or watch this video on how to ‘floss like a boss‘.

You may find using interdental brushes or other tools, like GUM Soft-Picks easier to use than floss.

Health conditions associated with bleeding gums

Bleeding gums are most commonly caused by inadequate oral care and gum diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis. In rarer cases, bleeding gums may be associated with the following health conditions:

Pregnancy – hormonal changes during pregnancy can make the gums more sensitive
Cancer treatment – some people experience bleeding gums during cancer treatment
Diabetes – people with diabetes are at higher risk of gum disease and bleeding gums
Blood thinning medication like aspirin or warfarin or blood disorders including leukaemia and haemophilia
Immune issues – dental problems, including bleeding gums, are more common in people with compromised immune systems or HIV

How to prevent bleeding gums

Gum disease is the most common cause of bleeding gums
Effective plaque control will help prevent gum disease
Brushing is the most effective method to remove plaque from the teeth
Floss and interdental brushes remove plaque between the teeth and below the gum line
Brushing for 2 minutes will remove more plaque than brushing for 45 seconds

An effective daily oral care routine and having a professional clean, at least twice a year, is the best way to prevent bleeding gums.

Ask your dental professional to advise you on the best home oral care routine and tools if you’re not sure.

A healthy lifestyle with adequate sleep, exercise and nutrition will help maintain a healthy immune system and reduce the risk of diseases like gum disease.

If you are a smoker, give it up to protect your gum health.

3 Simple steps to prevent bleeding gums

1) Have your teeth cleaned professionally by a dentist or oral hygienist, at least twice a year. A dental professional can safely remove tartar (hardened, calcified plaque) which you cannot remove with brushing and flossing at home. They can assess your usual oral care routine and advise you on how to improve it if necessary.

2) Follow an effective oral care routine EVERY DAY

Brush correctly for at least 2 minutes twice a day, using a soft-bristled brush with a small head
Clean in-between the teeth every day with floss, an interdental brush or another interproximal tool
Rinse the mouth with salt-water or an alcohol-free mouthwash after eating

3) Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in vegetables and vitamins and low in sugar and refined carbs.

How to treat bleeding gums

If you have bleeding gums, here are 4 ways to treat them:

Apply pressure – just as you would with any other kind of bleeding – you can apply pressure to the gum, pressing on gauze or tissue, to stop bleeding.
Rinse the mouth with salt water or an alcohol-free mouth rinse. Look for a rinse with CPC and chlorhexidine, which has well-established antiseptic properties.
Keep your teeth and gums clean with an effective oral hygiene routine. You may feel like not brushing or flossing when your gums bleed, but good oral hygiene is more important than ever when you have gum disease.
See a dental professional for a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar. Plaque and tartar build-up irritates the gums.

To prevent the plaque and tartar build-up that causes gum disease, it’s recommended to have a scheduled clean with a dental professional at least every 6 months. More regularly if an increased risk of gum problems e.g. people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing gum disease.

When to see your dental professional

If your gums bleed for more than 2 to 3 days
If you experience gum sensitivity
After oral surgery or a tooth extraction if the gum continues to bleed for more than 2 to 3 days
Children’s teeth should never bleed unless there’s been some kind of trauma to the gum

To prevent the plaque and tartar build-up that causes gum disease, it’s recommended to have a scheduled clean with a dental professional at least every 6 months. More regularly if an increased risk of gum problems e.g. people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing gum disease.

Can toothpaste or mouthwash stop bleeding gums

Yes, when used as part of an effective daily oral hygiene routine, a quality antibacterial toothpaste and mouthrinse like GUM Paroex with CPC and chlorhexidine, can help you manage sensitive gums.

However, once plaque has hardened into tartar, it cannot be removed with normal brushing or rinsing. It needs to be removed by a dental professional.

Bleeding gums and pregnancy

Pregnant women are more susceptible to bleeding gums.

Hormonal changes, including pregnancy, can make the gums more sensitive. And because gum disease has been linked to premature births and low birth weight babies, good oral care is very important at this special time. Read this guide to gum health during pregnancy for expert advice from oral hygienist Dirna Grobbelaar and periodontist Dr Corlene Schnetler.

Are you gums healthy? Find out now by doing the #HealthyGUMCheck below.

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The information provided on this website is intended for general informational purposes only. It should not be construed as medical advice or used as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, oral hygienist or another healthcare provider regarding your oral health or other medical conditions. Reliance on information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.