How to treat bleeding and swollen gums

Why gums bleed and swell

Healthline says gingivitis is the most common cause of swollen gums: poor brushing and flossing let plaque harden into tartar, which only a dental professional can remove, and untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis and tooth loss. Cleveland Clinic lists gingivitis as the most common cause, plus periodontitis, an abscessed tooth, pregnancy hormones that increase blood flow to the gums, plaque around braces or dentures that do not fit well, low vitamin B or C, medications, puberty and menopause hormone changes, diabetes and infections such as oral thrush. Swollen gums often bleed more easily when brushing or flossing.

How to treat bleeding gums

Cleveland Clinic says bleeding when you floss usually comes from plaque, tartar and bacteria along the gumline, and that if you floss daily, bleeding should stop within a few weeks as your gums get healthier. ADA MouthHealthy says bleeding is common when you start flossing and usually goes away on its own in about a week, and recommends an extra-soft or soft toothbrush, brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. If you take blood thinners and bleeding does not stop quickly, contact your physician.

How to treat swollen gums

Treatment depends on the cause. Cleveland Clinic lists improved oral hygiene, deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), antibiotics for bacterial infections, osseous surgery in advanced cases, a root canal or extraction for an abscessed tooth, and referral to a primary care provider if a medical condition is responsible, and says swelling may improve on its own with professional cleanings and brushing and flossing twice a day. Healthline says dentists may prescribe antibacterial rinses or a specific toothpaste, with scaling and root planing so the gums can heal.

Safe home care

Home care supports dental care and does not replace it.

• Brush and floss gently to avoid further irritation, twice a day.
• Rinse with warm salt water, about half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, swished for 30 seconds, two to three times a day (Healthline).
• Place an ice pack on the face a few times a day for swelling (Cleveland Clinic), or a warm or cold compress (Healthline).
• Drink plenty of water to support saliva, and avoid harsh mouthwashes, alcohol and tobacco (Healthline).
• See a dentist for a cleaning, since tartar cannot be removed at home.

Why is my gum swollen around one tooth?

Healthline says causes include poor hygiene with food debris, gum disease and an abscess, often caused by an untreated cavity that lets bacteria infect the tooth. Cleveland Clinic's swollen gums page does not address swelling around one tooth directly. Near a partly erupted wisdom tooth it may be pericoronitis: Cleveland Clinic says food and bacteria collect under a gum flap and cause infection, with swollen, red gums, pain and sometimes pus. Healthline says to see a dentist promptly if you suspect an abscessed tooth, because the infection will not go away on its own, and for any swollen gum around a tooth to make sure it is properly treated.

Signs of an abscess

Healthline lists pain, swollen gums, a swollen jaw and fever as symptoms of an abscessed tooth, and says untreated infection can spread to the jawbone and, rarely, cause serious health problems. Cleveland Clinic and the NHS list emergency signs including fever of 100.4°F or higher, facial swelling, difficulty swallowing and confusion. See our tooth infection guide.

Remedies we did not repeat

Healthline's article on a swollen gum also describes tea tree oil rinses and turmeric gel. We do not repeat them because the evidence is not given, and because tea tree oil should not be swallowed and can irritate. Ask your dentist before using any essential oil in your mouth.

What a dentist will do

A dentist will examine the gums, may take X-rays to check for bone loss, and may order tests for infection, according to Healthline. They will clean away plaque and tartar and treat the cause.

Frequently asked questions