Bleeding Gums: What Your Mouth Is Telling You

Many people see a little pink in the sink and assume they brushed too hard. Sometimes that is true. More often, bleeding is the earliest sign that the gums are inflamed.

The usual cause

Plaque is a soft film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. Where it sits undisturbed along the gum line, the gum reacts to it and becomes inflamed, swollen and easy to bleed. This early stage is called gingivitis. At this point the supporting bone is usually still intact, which is why it responds so well to cleaning.

When plaque hardens

If plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar, which a toothbrush cannot shift. Tartar keeps bacteria pressed against the gum, and the inflammation continues. Over time, in some people, this can progress to periodontitis, where the bone that holds the teeth starts to be lost. That damage is much harder to reverse, which is why early bleeding is worth taking seriously.

Other things that can play a part

• Brushing technique, or a brush that is too hard
• Not cleaning between the teeth at all
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Pregnancy and other hormonal changes
• Some medical conditions and medications

What to do

Do not stop brushing the area because it bleeds. Brush gently but thoroughly twice a day, clean between your teeth daily, and give it a couple of weeks. If the bleeding settles, your routine was the issue. If it continues, if the gums are tender or receding, or if you notice bad breath that will not go away, have it looked at. A professional cleaning removes what brushing cannot, and your dentist can tell you whether the gums have been affected more deeply.