Bleeding gums: causes, what to do and when to worry

Healthy gums don’t bleed. If you see pink on your toothbrush or when you spit, your gums are telling you something.

The main cause: plaque

Plaque along the gum line irritates the gums and causes gingivitis — red, swollen gums that bleed easily. At this stage the damage is reversible.

When it goes further

If plaque hardens into tartar and stays, inflammation can destroy the bone around the teeth — periodontitis. Signs include receding gums, bad breath, longer-looking teeth and loose teeth.

Other factors

• Smoking and hookah — they can hide bleeding while the disease gets worse.
• Diabetes.
• Pregnancy hormones.
• Some medicines.
• Crowded teeth that are hard to clean.

What to do

1. Don’t stop brushing — brush gently along the gum line twice a day.
2. Clean between teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes.
3. Book a professional cleaning to remove tartar.
4. Bleeding usually improves within about two weeks.

See a dentist soon if…

bleeding continues after two weeks of good cleaning, gums are swollen or painful, or teeth feel loose.

Check your gums in the gum health check and follow our daily routine.