Why are my gums bleeding?
Quick answer
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Bleeding when you brush or floss is most often gingivitis — gum inflammation caused by plaque sitting along the gum line.
It is common and usually reversible with better cleaning and a hygiene visit. Do not stop brushing. York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet offers 30-minute hygiene appointments from £77. Gums that bleed on their own, teeth that feel loose, or bleeding that lasts more than a couple of weeks need a dental examination.
What you need to know
Around a third of UK adults notice bleeding gums in any given year, and many ignore it because it stops. Bleeding is the gum telling you bacteria are winning at the margin. Keep brushing twice a day with a soft or electric brush, and clean between your teeth daily with interdental brushes or floss. Mild bleeding from cleaning should settle within about two weeks.
Other factors make gums bleed more easily: pregnancy, blood-thinning medication, diabetes, smoking (which can actually hide bleeding) and some vitamin deficiencies. Tell us about medication at your visit — do not stop a prescribed blood thinner because your gums bleed.
If bleeding persists, the hygienist removes hardened tartar you cannot shift at home and measures the gum pockets. Deeper pockets suggest periodontitis, which needs a structured treatment plan. A periodontal consultation is £95. See dental hygiene and gum disease treatment.
Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist
