Swollen and bleeding gums guide

Why do your gums bleed when you floss?

Cleveland Clinic says bleeding usually comes from plaque, tartar and bacteria along the gumline, and that not flossing daily is typically the main cause. Other causes include flossing or brushing too hard, hormonal changes and medical issues. ADA MouthHealthy says bleeding is common when you start flossing because your gums are adjusting, and usually goes away on its own in about a week. Cleveland Clinic says it should stop within a few weeks if you floss daily and gently.

When to see a dentist for bleeding gums

Cleveland Clinic says healthy gums should not routinely bleed during flossing and to see a dentist or periodontist if bleeding is new after years of regular flossing or if it persists. ADA MouthHealthy says to see your dentist or physician if your gums bleed regularly or enough to worry you, and that if you take blood thinners and bleeding does not stop quickly, contact your physician.

What does it mean when your gums are swollen?

Cleveland Clinic lists gingivitis, the most common cause, periodontitis, an abscessed tooth, pregnancy, braces or dentures, vitamin deficiency, medications, puberty and menopause hormone changes, diabetes and infections. Healthline lists gingivitis, pregnancy, malnutrition with low vitamin B or C, and infections including herpes-related gingivostomatitis, oral thrush and dental abscesses.

Gingivitis and gum disease

Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, with red, puffy gums that may bleed, and is reversible, according to Cleveland Clinic, while periodontitis involves bone loss and is not curable but manageable. NIDCR says tartar can only be removed by a professional cleaning. Our gum disease guide covers the stages.

Swelling around one tooth

Healthline says a swollen gum around one tooth may be caused by poor hygiene, gum disease or an abscess, often from an untreated cavity, and that an abscess will not go away on its own. Near a wisdom tooth it may be pericoronitis, according to Cleveland Clinic. See a dentist promptly.

Treatment

Cleveland Clinic lists improved hygiene, scaling and root planing, antibiotics for bacterial infection, osseous surgery in advanced disease, and root canal or extraction for an abscessed tooth. Healthline adds antibacterial rinses or a specific toothpaste and says dentists may take X-rays to check for bone loss. Our guide on how to treat gum bleeding covers home care, including warm salt water rinses.

Prevention

Brush twice daily with a soft brush, clean between your teeth daily, avoid tobacco and keep up regular dental visits. The ADA recommends brushing twice a day and cleaning between teeth once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner. Healthline suggests seeing a dentist about every six months, reporting dry mouth, and managing stress, which research links to a higher risk of gum disease.

Gums during pregnancy and with braces or dentures

Cleveland Clinic says pregnancy hormones increase blood flow to the gums and can make them swell and bleed, and that plaque collecting around braces, or dentures that do not fit well, can also cause swelling. If you are pregnant or wear braces or dentures, mention bleeding or swelling to your dentist rather than assuming it is normal, because cleaning and a fit check often help. Careful brushing along the gumline and cleaning around brackets or under a denture are the usual starting points.

What a dentist checks

A dentist will look at how deep the pockets around your teeth are, check for tartar and bone loss with X-rays, ask about your health and medicines, and decide whether you need a routine cleaning, a deep cleaning or treatment for an abscess.

Guides in this topic

Frequently asked questions