Causes of Gum Bleeding
The character of the bleeding — when, how and from where — largely reveals the cause.
Gingivitis: plaque-related gum inflammation
The most common cause: plaque and calculus provoke inflammation, and inflamed tissue bleeds at the slightest contact. At this stage there is no bone loss and it is fully reversible.
Periodontitis: advanced gum disease
Untreated gingivitis deepens and affects the supporting bone, with irreversible bone loss. Signs include recession, lengthening teeth, spacing, bad breath and mobility.
Medication and systemic conditions
Blood thinners, some heart and epilepsy drugs and immunosuppressants increase bleeding or cause gum overgrowth. Diabetes, liver disease and clotting disorders contribute, as does pregnancy through hormonal change.
Local causes
Persistent bleeding from a single site suggests a local cause: trapped food, an overhanging filling, a fractured edge, an ill-fitting denture, or brushing too hard with too stiff a brush.
How to Control Persistent Bleeding
Correct pressure technique stops most bleeding outside the clinic; incorrect pressure prolongs it.
The correct pressure technique
Place folded sterile gauze directly over the site and maintain pressure for 15–20 minutes without opening to check — the most common mistake, as each check destroys the forming clot.
During the pressure period
- Sit rather than lie down — keep your head above heart level
- Talk as little as possible; jaw movement disturbs the clot
- Avoid hot drinks, rinsing and spitting
- Do not smoke — both the suction and the smoke damage the clot
- If you have no gauze, a damp tea bag works; its tannin aids clotting
When to come to the clinic
Come if bleeding continues after two correct attempts, if your mouth keeps filling with blood, or if you feel dizzy. With blood thinners the threshold is lower — and never stop the medication yourself.
Treatment at the Clinic and Prevention Afterwards
Emergency care stops the bleeding; the lasting solution is removing the cause.
In the emergency session
The source is identified and any local cause removed; haemostatic material or a suture may be used. Comprehensive scaling and deep pocket treatment follow at a planned appointment.
Correct care to prevent bleeding
Stopping brushing is the most common mistake: it increases plaque and worsens inflammation. Continue gently with a soft brush — bleeding may increase for a few days, then decrease markedly. Interdental cleaning is essential.
The role of regular check-ups
Calculus cannot be removed at home; six-monthly professional cleaning is the most effective prevention. Gingivitis is fully reversible if treated early, whereas bone loss in periodontitis is permanent.
