Healthy gums: bleeding gums, gum disease and what helps
Why gums bleed, how gingivitis differs from periodontitis, and the daily habits and dental care that keep gum disease in check.
Written by the Glowpedia team · not yet reviewed by our dentist
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Quick answer Bleeding gums are usually an early sign of gingivitis, gum inflammation caused by plaque at the gumline. It can usually be reversed with gentle brushing along the gumline twice a day, daily cleaning between teeth and a professional cleaning; left alone, it can progress to periodontitis, which damages the bone that holds your teeth.
What healthy gums look like
Healthy gums are firm, fit snugly around each tooth and don't bleed when you brush or floss. Their color ranges from pink to brown, depending on your natural pigmentation. Watch for these signs of gum disease:
- Gums that bleed easily when you brush, floss or eat hard food
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Gums pulling away from the teeth, so teeth look longer
- Bad breath or a bad taste that won't go away
- Loose or shifting adult teeth, pain when chewing, or a change in how your teeth fit together
Gum disease is often painless, so it can progress without you noticing. Regular dental checkups catch it early.
Gingivitis vs periodontitis
| Gingivitis | Periodontitis | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Gum inflammation caused by plaque at the gumline | Infection that spreads below the gumline to the bone and tissue holding the teeth |
| Typical signs | Red, puffy gums that bleed | Receding gums, deep pockets, bad breath, loose teeth |
| Can it be reversed? | Usually, with good daily care and a professional cleaning | Lost bone doesn't grow back, but the disease can be controlled and slowed |
| Treatment | Better home care, cleaning by a hygienist | Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), sometimes medicines or surgery |
This is common. The CDC estimates that about 42% of US adults aged 30 and older have periodontitis, and it is a leading cause of tooth loss.
What helps at home
- Brush along the gumline twice a day for 2 minutes. Use a soft brush, tilt the bristles about 45 degrees toward the gums and make short, gentle strokes. Scrubbing hard can hurt your gums. See how to brush properly.
- Keep brushing if your gums bleed. Bleeding means the gums are inflamed, not that you're hurting them. With gentle, thorough cleaning, bleeding usually settles within a few weeks.
- Clean between your teeth once a day. A toothbrush can't reach between teeth, where plaque collects. Use floss, interdental brushes that fit snugly or a water flosser; see flossing and water flossers.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste. Some formulas, often with stannous fluoride, also target plaque and gingivitis. See how to choose a toothpaste.
- Don't smoke or chew tobacco. Tobacco is one of the biggest risk factors for gum disease. It also slows healing and makes treatment work less well.
The diabetes link
Diabetes and gum disease affect each other. High blood glucose makes gum disease more likely and helps it progress from gingivitis to periodontitis. In turn, gum infection can make blood glucose harder to control. If you have diabetes, keep your glucose in your target range, tell your dentist, and get bleeding or swollen gums checked early.
Other things that raise your risk: pregnancy and other hormonal changes, some medicines, family history, crowded teeth that are hard to clean, stress and older age.
Why professional cleaning matters
Plaque that stays on your teeth hardens into tartar (calculus), and brushing can't remove it. Only a dentist or hygienist can. Most people do well with a checkup and cleaning at least once a year, or as often as their dentist suggests. People who have had periodontitis usually need more frequent visits to keep it under control.
Bleeding gums are a reason to clean more carefully, not to stop cleaning.
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See a dentist if your gums still bleed after a few weeks of gentle daily brushing and cleaning between your teeth, or if they are swollen, painful or receding. Go promptly for loose teeth, pus, a swelling on the gum or a change in your bite, and tell your dentist if you have diabetes or are pregnant.
Questions people ask
Should I stop brushing if my gums bleed?
No. Bleeding usually means your gums are inflamed by plaque. Keep brushing gently along the gumline with a soft brush and clean between your teeth; if the bleeding doesn't settle within a few weeks, see a dentist.
Can gum disease be reversed?
Gingivitis usually can, with good daily care and a professional cleaning. Periodontitis can't be fully reversed because lost bone doesn't grow back, but treatment can stop or slow it.
Does mouthwash treat gum disease?
An antiplaque or antigingivitis mouthwash can help as an extra. It can't remove tartar or replace brushing and cleaning between your teeth.
Is an electric toothbrush better for gums?
Either type works if you clean along the gumline for 2 minutes twice a day. Many people find a powered brush makes that easier; see our guide to electric vs manual toothbrushes.