You brush your teeth, spit, and there it is. A streak of pink in the sink.

A lot of people shrug this off. Some think they’ve just brushed too hard. Others stop brushing that area altogether because it feels sore, which is the opposite of what helps. Healthy gums shouldn’t bleed, though, so it’s worth paying attention when yours do.

The good news? Caught early, bleeding gums are usually very treatable.

Why Do Gums Bleed?

In most cases, the cause is plaque. Plaque is the soft, sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth through the day. When it isn’t fully cleared away, especially along the gumline and between teeth, it irritates the gums. They become red, puffy and tender, and they bleed easily when you brush, floss or eat something hard.

This early stage is called gingivitis. It’s very common, and at this point the damage can be reversed.

Other things can make bleeding more likely too:

• Smoking, which affects gum health and can also hide the warning signs because it reduces blood flow to the gums
• Pregnancy, as hormone changes can make gums more sensitive and prone to bleeding
• Diabetes, which is linked to a higher risk of gum disease
• Brushing too hard or with a hard-bristled brush, which can irritate the gum surface
• Some medicines, including blood thinners, which can make any bleeding more noticeable

If you take a medicine that affects bleeding, keep taking it as prescribed and let us know at your next appointment.

What Happens if Bleeding Gums are Ignored?

Gingivitis doesn’t always stay mild. If the plaque keeps building up, it can harden into tartar, which you can’t brush away at home. Over time, the inflammation can spread deeper and start to affect the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place. This is called periodontitis.

The NHS lists bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth and gum abscesses among the possible complications of gum disease. Advanced gum disease is one of the most common reasons adults lose teeth, and it’s much harder to treat than it is to prevent.

What You Can Do at Home

If your gums have started bleeding, don’t stop brushing the area. Gentle, thorough cleaning is what calms them down. Try this for the next couple of weeks:

• Brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, angling the brush towards the gumline
• Spit after brushing but don’t rinse, so the fluoride stays on your teeth
• Clean between your teeth once a day with interdental brushes or floss
• Use a soft or medium brush, and let it do the work rather than scrubbing
• If you smoke, this is another good reason to get support to stop

An electric toothbrush can make a real difference for some people. Our blog on whether electric toothbrushes work better than manual ones covers this.

Expect a little bleeding for the first few days as you clean more thoroughly. That’s normal. If it hasn’t settled after a couple of weeks, book in to see us.

When to See a Dentist About Bleeding Gums

Book a routine appointment with your dentist or hygienist if:

• Your gums bleed regularly when you brush or eat
• Your gums look red, swollen or feel sore
• You have bad breath or a bad taste that won’t go away
• Your gums seem to be shrinking back from your teeth

Call us sooner if you have very sore or swollen gums, a tooth that feels loose, a swelling or abscess, or an ulcer, red patch or lump that hasn’t healed. Bleeding or swollen gums and abscesses are among the problems we see as dental emergencies.

How We Treat Bleeding Gums at Bridgford Dental Practice

Treatment depends on how far things have gone. At your appointment, we’ll check your gums for redness, swelling and bleeding, measure the gaps between your teeth and gums, and take X-rays if we need to see the bone.

For early gum problems, a professional clean and some tailored advice is often all it takes. Our hygiene team will remove the plaque and tartar you can’t reach at home and show you exactly where your brushing is missing.

If gum disease has progressed, we may recommend deep scaling, which cleans below the gumline to remove bacteria from the roots of the teeth. Some patients with a history of gum disease need hygiene visits every three to four months rather than every six to keep things stable. You can read more about hygiene appointments in Nottingham on our treatment page.

Keeping Your Gums Healthy Long Term

Regular check-ups and hygiene visits are the simplest way to stop gum problems before they start. Our BDP Essentials Plan costs £18.44 a month and includes your six-monthly examination, X-rays and a standard scale and polish, so routine care is already covered.

For more everyday advice, take a look at our preventative dentistry page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for gums to bleed when I floss?

A little bleeding when you first start flossing is common, because the gums between your teeth are often the most inflamed. It should ease within a week or two of daily cleaning. If it doesn’t, get it checked.

Can bleeding gums go away on their own?

Not usually without a change in cleaning. Gingivitis can be reversed with better brushing and cleaning between teeth, plus a professional clean to remove tartar. Leaving it alone tends to let it get worse.

Do bleeding gums mean I have gum disease?

Very often, yes, at least in its early form. But there can be other causes, which is why a proper examination is worthwhile.

Book an Appointment in West Bridgford

If your gums have been bleeding for more than a couple of weeks, don’t wait for it to get worse. Call Bridgford Dental Practice on 0115 981 6986 to book a check-up or hygiene appointment. New patients are always welcome, and you can find out more on our new patient page.