What to do for bleeding gums

Bleeding gums are a serious warning sign that is usually caused by poor oral hygiene or simply the lack of it. If the gums bleed when brushing or applying pressure, this is usually a sign of gingivitis. Through regular dental care, thorough and regular tooth brushing and professional teeth cleaning, you as a patient can have a positive influence on your gums. You will see that the tendency for the gums to bleed quickly decreases.


If periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is the cause of bleeding gums, you should see a specialist dentist and have causes such as plaque and tartar removed. Treatment with antibiotics may also be suggested by the dentist. If the gums are already badly damaged and have receded and gum pockets have formed, he or she will suggest gum treatment. Just biting into an apple often leaves traces of blood. If you often have blood in your saliva when you spit it out, urgent help is called for. Patients seeking dental implants should never ignore these warning signs. This is because no treatment can take place until the inflammation has completely subsided.

Signs of gingivitis are:

1. Gums bleed when pressure is applied and teeth are brushed
2. Gum recession and visible tooth roots
3. Swollen gums at the junction with the teeth
4. Gum pockets
5. Very dark red gums
6. Sensitive, painful gum areas

But bleeding gums do not necessarily have to be caused by bacteria. Many physical diseases, changes or deficiency symptoms can also be associated with bleeding gums.

How common is bleeding gums?

Almost 100% of 35-year-olds unfortunately have bleeding gums due to poor oral hygiene. In severe forms of gingivitis and periodontitis, tooth loss occurs. This proportion is then 20-40% due to poor oral hygiene, which manifests itself as gingivitis or later as periodontitis and occurs in 100% of 35-year-olds. The severe form of gingivitis, which leads to tooth loss, accounts for 20-40%. Harmless at first, it then becomes irreversible as the gums do not grow back onto the tooth and the gum pockets harbour more and more bacteria. Early visits to the dentist are essential to stop the condition.

What can a patient do about bleeding gums?

After a thorough preliminary examination and a patient interview ( anamnesis ), the dentist will find the cause and make suggestions. Often there are conditions such as medication side effects, deficiency diseases, heart disease, diabetes or bone disease. He will ask you how long the problem has existed and whether tooth pain is present. Gum recession and bone loss is very common, especially in smokers.
In women, pregnancy is a reason for gum inflammation and also deficiency symptoms. Some patients have chronic exposure to heavy metals. Here, too, problems with the gums occur. ( Mercury )

Your dentist will carry out a visual examination of the gums and make a diagnosis of the oral cavity and your care status. The gum pockets and their depths are examined with appropriate measuring probes. If bleeding of the gums already occurs during this preliminary examination, this is already a sign of existing gingivitis. X-rays are taken to see if the bone is already damaged and if the teeth are still well anchored in the alveoli. If other diseases are suspected, your dentist will also consult other specialists for treatment to stop the bleeding gums early and treat the diseases.

In the first step, your dentist will remove plaque, tartar and bacteria with instruments, ultrasound and disinfectant solutions or antibiotics. In special cases, gum treatment may also be necessary and should be carried out by specialised dentists.

How you can do something about your bleeding gums yourself:

With preventive care, perfect oral hygiene, professional tooth cleaning ( PZR ), the right toothbrush and toothpaste, you can have an influence on bleeding gums. Here, the responsibility also lies with you as a patient. Have the brushing techniques explained and demonstrated to you and do not use toothbrushes that are too hard. Also clean the interdental spaces with small interdental brushes and dental floss. Do not scrub the gums, but rather gently massage the affected areas with the brush. If small bleeding occurs, do not stop threading and brushing, but repeat the procedure 3 times a day. Don't give up and generally ask the dentist what aids may work for you.

Smokers generally have a bigger problem with their teeth due to nicotine and many toxins. Smoking less or quitting altogether is really the order of the day. At least twice a year, you should have your teeth professionally cleaned by your dentist and repeat the dental check-up to see if the gum pockets have receded and the gums no longer bleed so much. Straight interlocking teeth are not so easy to clean. Here, the dentist can help much better with his instruments. Eat less sugar and chew xylitol gum after meals. This deprives the bacteria of food and lets them die. Mouth rinses with chlorhexidine also help against germs and germ formation. You can also use myrtle and sage as natural disinfectants.

Mouth odour is also a warning signal and, like toothache and bleeding gums, should lead to a visit to your dentist. Anxious patients should seek professional help to avoid worse things here. The possible consequence is not only tooth loss. Germs can get into the blood and, in the worst case, attack the heart valve. The dentist can use the PSI test (Periodontal Screening Index) to determine whether the problem is periodontitis or gingivitis. Every two years, health insurance companies pay for this test for early detection. If the bleeding gums persist despite regular brushing or if they become more severe, you should urgently consult a dentist.

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