Bleeding Gums: 7 Common Causes and Helpful Treatment Options

For many people, the issue of bleeding gums is brushed off as an occasional inconvenience, but it can serve as a warning signal of underlying dental problems or oral health issues. For example, inflamed, bleeding gums are the primary symptom of gingivitis — the most common form of early-stage gum disease.¹

Bleeding gums may also be caused by other health issues, including:²

• Nutritional deficiencies
• Hormonal changes
• Drug treatments
• Blood-clotting disorders
• Other diseases

If you have bleeding gums, it's important to see your dentist to help determine the cause and get proper treatment. Left untreated, bleeding gums can lead to more serious problems, such as periodontitis, a more advanced form of gum disease that can damage the tissues and bones that support the teeth. If periodontitis is not treated, it can lead to tooth loss.¹

What Causes Bleeding Gums?

While gingivitis due to plaque buildup around the gumline is a leading cause of bleeding gums, your gums might also bleed due to:²

• Improper brushing or flossing. Brushing too hard, using a hard-bristled toothbrush and inconsistent flossing can contribute to bleeding gums.
• Ill-fitting dentures. Dentures that don't fit correctly can rub against the gums, causing them to bleed.
• Hormonal fluctuations. Hormonal changes due to puberty, pregnancy or menopause may cause gums to become sensitive and more likely to bleed.¹
• Certain medical conditions. Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, leukemia, HIV or hemophilia can cause bleeding gums.³
• Certain medications. Bleeding gums can be a side effect of blood thinners and other medications.
• Smoking or tobacco use. People who smoke or use tobacco products have a higher likelihood of developing gum disease, often signaled by bleeding gums.¹
• Vitamin deficiency. Vitamin C helps repair tissue and strengthen bones and teeth, while vitamin K helps your blood clot properly. Too little of either of these vitamins can contribute to bleeding gums.

Symptoms of Bleeding Gums

In addition to your gums bleeding when you brush or floss, other symptoms that may point to more serious gum disease include:⁴

• Bright red, dark red or dark purple gums
• Gums that are tender and painful
• Bad breath that does not go away with good oral hygiene
• Loose teeth
• Gums that recede or pull away from the tooth

Treatment for Bleeding Gums

If your gums are bleeding for more than two weeks, schedule an appointment with your dental provider to determine the underlying cause and receive treatment before the condition progresses.²

Treatment for bleeding gums depends on the underlying cause. If the bleeding is caused by early-stage gum disease often indicated by plaque buildup, your dentist or periodontist will likely perform a professional dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums.¹

Other recommended treatments for bleeding gums may include:⁵

• Antibiotics
• Deep dental cleaning or tooth scaling and root planing
• Adjusting ill-fitting dentures²

If your bleeding gums are not caused by gum disease, your healthcare provider may order tests to determine if you have other underlying conditions that may be causing your gums to bleed.²

Additionally, your dentist may recommend improved daily oral hygiene that includes brushing twice a day for two minutes each time with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing twice a day.² Your dentist may also review optimal brushing and flossing techniques with you.

At-Home Care for Bleeding Gums

You can also implement the following habits into your routine to help alleviate bleeding gums:²

• Brush two to three times a day, preferably after every meal, and floss one to two times daily.
• Avoid using tobacco products.
• Use an oral irrigation device to massage your gums.
• Apply pressure to the gums directly with a gauze pad soaked in ice water.
• Rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution, a hydrogen peroxide and water solution or an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing, as recommended by your dentist.

Tips to Prevent Bleeding Gums

You can reduce your chance of developing bleeding gums due to gingivitis by following a protocol of good oral hygiene that includes daily brushing and flossing. Visit your dental care provider every six months for regular checkups, and follow their home-care advice. In addition, eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.²

You may not be able to prevent gums from bleeding due to other causes, such as hormonal changes, medications or blood disorders. But it's important to address bleeding gums with your dental care provider, as early treatment can prevent gum disease from progressing further. Left untreated, gum disease can wear away tissue and bone and eventually lead to tooth loss.¹

Consistently following a good oral hygiene protocol and other healthy habits can greatly lower your overall chance of developing gum disease in the first place.

Dental Financing With the CareCredit Credit Card

Regular dental checkups are important to help prevent, identify and treat dental problems before they become more advanced. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for dental exams, cosmetic dental procedures and other costs that insurance doesn't cover — to help you keep your pearly whites bright and healthy.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist near you that accepts CareCredit. Make the most of your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to dental care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.