Seeing pink in the sink after brushing is common, so it’s easy to ignore. But healthy gums don’t usually bleed. Bleeding is most often an early sign of inflammation caused by plaque, and the good news is that at this stage it’s usually reversible.
This guide explains why gums bleed, what you can do at home, how a dentist treats gum disease, and when bleeding is a reason to book a visit.
What healthy gums look like
Healthy gums are firm, pale pink (or evenly pigmented in people with darker gums), and fit snugly around each tooth. They don’t bleed with normal brushing or flossing and they don’t feel tender. Gums that are red, puffy, shiny or sore are usually inflamed.
The most common cause: plaque and gingivitis
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. When it isn’t removed, especially along the gum line and between teeth, the gums react with inflammation. This early stage is called gingivitis. Signs include:
- Bleeding when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Bad breath or a bad taste
Gingivitis affects the gums only. With good cleaning at home and a professional clean, it usually settles within a couple of weeks.
When it progresses: periodontitis
If gingivitis continues, the inflammation can spread to the bone and fibres that hold your teeth in place. This is periodontitis. Pockets form between the gums and teeth, plaque and tartar build up inside them, and bone is gradually lost. Signs include:
- Gums pulling back (recession), making teeth look longer
- Persistent bad breath
- Teeth that feel loose or have shifted
- Spaces opening between teeth
- Pus around the gums
Bone lost to periodontitis doesn’t grow back on its own, so treating gum disease early protects your teeth for the long term. Periodontitis is one of the main reasons adults lose teeth.
Other causes of bleeding gums
- Brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled brush
- Starting to floss: gums often bleed for the first week or two, then settle as they get healthier
- Hormonal changes in pregnancy, puberty and around menopause, which make gums more reactive to plaque
- Smoking, which can hide bleeding by reducing blood flow even while gum disease gets worse
- Diabetes, particularly when blood sugar levels are not well controlled
- Medicines such as blood thinners, and some medicines that cause gum overgrowth
- Ill-fitting dentures or rough fillings that irritate the gum
- Rarely, bleeding gums can be a sign of a blood disorder or vitamin deficiency, especially if you also bruise easily or feel unwell
What you can do at home
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste. Angle the bristles towards the gum line and use small, gentle movements.
- Clean between your teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes. Keep going even if your gums bleed at first; bleeding should reduce within one to two weeks.
- Consider an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor if you tend to scrub.
- Don’t smoke. Quitting is one of the most effective things you can do for your gums.
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals.
If bleeding hasn’t settled after two weeks of careful cleaning, it’s time to see a dentist.
How a dentist treats gum disease
Assessment
Your dentist checks your gums, measures the depth of the pockets around each tooth and may take x-rays to look at bone levels. This tells us whether you have gingivitis or periodontitis and how advanced it is.
Professional cleaning
For gingivitis, a professional scale and clean removes hardened tartar that brushing can’t shift, followed by tailored advice on home care.
Deep cleaning (root planing)
For periodontitis, we clean below the gum line to remove tartar and bacteria from the pockets and smooth the root surfaces so the gums can reattach. This is usually done under local anaesthetic, often over more than one visit.
Review and maintenance
We re-measure the pockets a few months later to check healing. People with a history of periodontitis usually need more frequent cleans, often every three to four months, to keep it stable. Advanced cases may be referred to a periodontist (gum specialist).
Read more on our gum disease treatment page.
Why gum health matters beyond your mouth
Research has linked gum disease with several general health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. The relationship with diabetes works both ways: poorly controlled blood sugar makes gum disease worse, and treating gum disease can help blood sugar control. Looking after your gums is part of looking after your overall health.
When to see a dentist
Book an appointment if:
- Your gums still bleed after two weeks of careful brushing and flossing
- Your gums are swollen, receding or sore
- You have persistent bad breath
- A tooth feels loose or your bite has changed
- You’re pregnant, have diabetes or smoke, as gum problems are more likely
Seek urgent care if you have swelling in your face, pus, fever, or bleeding that won’t stop. Our emergency appointments are available six days a week.
Choosing the right cleaning tools
Toothbrush
A soft-bristled brush is all you need. Medium and hard bristles don’t clean better; they’re more likely to wear enamel and push gums back. Electric brushes with small round heads make it easier to clean along the gum line, and many have a pressure sensor that warns you when you’re pressing too hard. Replace your brush or brush head every three months, or sooner if the bristles splay.
Floss or interdental brushes?
Floss suits tight contacts between teeth. Interdental brushes, small bottle-brush shaped cleaners, are usually more effective where there’s a little space between teeth, around bridges and braces, and for people with gum recession. They come in several sizes, and using the right size matters: too small and it won’t clean, too big and it won’t fit. Ask us to check your sizes at your next visit.
Water flossers
Water flossers can help people who find floss difficult, including those with braces, implants or limited dexterity. They’re a useful addition but don’t replace mechanical cleaning between teeth for most people.
A two-week reset for bleeding gums
If your gums bleed and you have no other worrying symptoms, try this for two weeks:
- Morning and night: brush for a full two minutes with a soft brush, angling the bristles at 45 degrees to the gum line.
- Once a day: clean between every tooth with floss or interdental brushes. Go gently, wrapping the floss in a C-shape around each tooth.
- Spit, don’t rinse after brushing, to leave the fluoride on your teeth.
- Keep a note of where it bleeds. If one area keeps bleeding, point it out to your dentist.
Most people notice their gums bleed less within a week. If they don’t improve by the end of two weeks, there may be tartar or deeper pockets that need professional cleaning.
Bleeding gums in pregnancy
Hormonal changes in pregnancy make gums more sensitive to plaque, and “pregnancy gingivitis” is common, particularly in the second trimester. A check-up and clean during pregnancy is safe and recommended. Let us know you’re pregnant when you book, and see our article on dental care during pregnancy for more.
Bleeding gums FAQs
Should I stop flossing if my gums bleed?
No. Bleeding usually means the gums are inflamed because plaque has been sitting there. Gentle, daily cleaning is what helps them heal.
Is mouthwash enough?
Mouthwash can help a little but doesn’t remove plaque between teeth or tartar. It’s an extra, not a replacement for brushing and flossing.
Can gum disease be cured?
Gingivitis can usually be reversed. Periodontitis can be controlled and stabilised, but bone that has been lost doesn’t grow back, so ongoing maintenance is important.
Is gum treatment covered by health funds?
Scale and cleans are usually covered under general dental extras. Deeper periodontal treatment may fall under general or major dental depending on your policy. Ask us for item numbers to check with your fund.
Find out more about gum disease treatment in Hornsby.
Book a visit at Hornsby Dental
Hornsby Dental is at Suite 21, 14 Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby, about three minutes’ walk from Hornsby Station, with free street parking nearby. We’re open Monday to Friday 9am–6pm and Saturday 8:30am–4pm. Book online or call (02) 8090 1100.
This article is general information only. It isn’t a substitute for advice from your dentist about your own mouth and health.