Bleeding Gums When Brushing
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Bleeding gums when brushing
Blood when brushing teeth but no pain
Bleeding gums after brushing
My gums bleed when I brush my teeth
About the Symptom
Bleeding gums are a sign of gingivitis, or inflammation of your gums. It is common and a mild form of gum disease, and is usually caused by a buildup of plaque at your gum line. It could also be due to brushing too hard, medications, underlying medical conditions like bleeding disorders or vitamin deficiencies.
Possible Causes
Generally, Bleeding gums when brushing can be related to:
- Dental Caries
Dental caries occur when the hard outer layer of your tooth, the enamel, gets destroyed, sometimes forming small holes or cavitations. Common causes include eating and drinking sugary foods, frequent snacking, dry mouth and poor oral hygiene.
- von Willebrand Disease (vWD)
von Willebrand disease (vWD) is a common genetic blood disorder that impairs blood clotting leading to excess bleeding. In people with vWD, a protein called von Willebrand factor that is critical to blood clotting either does not function properly or is insufficient. As a result, people with vWD bleed more easily.
- Congenital Hemophilia
Congenital hemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder resulting in insufficient blood clotting due to a deficiency of clotting factors.
- Acquired Hemophilia
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you bleed when brushing your teeth?
- When did you first notice bleeding when brushing your teeth?
Reviewed By:
Luri Lee, DMD (Dentistry)
Dr. Luri Lee graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Biology. She then continued her education at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. During her time in dental school, Dr. Lee was the recipient of the Spencer N. Frankl Scholarship for her strong academic performance and active participation in the school and community. Following dental school, Dr. Lee stayed at Boston University to complete a one year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program. In 2020 Dr. Lee was recognized among the “10 Under Ten” by the Massachusetts Dental Society for her contributions to the dental community and her volunteer work in Panama. Dr. Lee is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and is a member of the American Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Society and Academy of General Dentistry.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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- Bleeding from the gums after brushing teeth
- Blood comes out when brushing teeth
- Blood from the gums during brushing
- Bleeding caused by brushing teeth
- Brushing my teeth causes bleeding
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FAQs
Q.
Toothbrush Pain? Why Your Gums are Bleeding & Medical Next Steps
A.
Bleeding gums after brushing are common but not normal, usually from gingivitis or brushing too hard, but they can also signal periodontitis, hormonal changes, vitamin C or K deficiency, certain medications, diabetes, or rarer blood disorders; there are several factors to consider, so see below for the full list and what each might mean. Next steps often start with gentle brushing using a soft brush, daily flossing, replacing a worn brush, an antibacterial rinse, and booking a dental cleaning, but seek prompt dental or medical care if bleeding lasts over 2 weeks, is heavy or spontaneous, or you have pain, swelling, fever, gum recession, loose teeth, or other symptoms; more details and prevention tips are below.
References:
* Chapple ILC, et al. Gingivitis: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Management. Periodontol 2000. 2021 Feb;85(1):15-30. doi: 10.1111/prd.12351. PMID: 33496328.
* Newman MG, et al. Diagnosis and Management of Gingivitis and Periodontitis. J Am Dent Assoc. 2017 Jul;148(7S):S1-S12. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2017.04.041. PMID: 28666579.
* Sälzer S, et al. The effect of toothbrushing technique on gingival health: A systematic review. J Periodontol. 2014 Mar;85(3):367-75. doi: 10.1902/jop.2013.130101. PMID: 23834375.
* Basu S, et al. Systemic diseases and periodontal disease: a narrative review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Nov 16;18(22):11993. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182211993. PMID: 34831962.
* Mali AM, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of periodontitis: a narrative review. Int J Dent. 2021 Dec 21;2021:4062635. doi: 10.1155/2021/4062635. PMID: 34976722.
Q.
Bleeding Gums? Why Your Mouth is Failing: Best Electric Toothbrush Medical Steps
A.
Bleeding gums usually signal plaque driven gingivitis that is reversible; upgrading to a soft bristled electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor and two minute timer, whether oscillating or sonic, and brushing gently along the gumline can significantly reduce bleeding within 1 to 2 weeks. There are several factors to consider, including daily flossing, short term antimicrobial rinses, and getting a professional cleaning while checking for conditions like diabetes or medication effects. See below for the complete step by step plan, how to choose the right brush, and the red flags that mean you should seek care promptly.
References:
* Horiuchi M, et al. Effects of an electric toothbrush versus a manual toothbrush on plaque, gingivitis, and bleeding on probing in periodontitis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Odontology. 2023 Jul;111(3):477-490. doi: 10.1007/s10266-023-00781-6. PMID: 36897148.
* Grender JM, et al. A 6-month randomized controlled trial of oscillating-rotating versus sonic electric toothbrushes for reducing gingivitis and plaque. Int J Dent Hyg. 2021 May;19(2):161-171. doi: 10.1111/idh.12479. PMID: 33197171.
* Rosema NAM, et al. Oscillating-rotating versus sonic powered toothbrushes in reducing plaque and gingivitis: a randomized clinical trial. J Clin Periodontol. 2020 Oct;47(10):1243-1250. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13360. PMID: 32770857.
* Slot DE, et al. The effect of oscillating-rotating electric toothbrushes on plaque and gingivitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Oral Investig. 2019 Jun;23(6):2487-2498. doi: 10.1007/s00784-019-02840-0. PMID: 30815777.
* Yaacob M, et al. Powered versus manual toothbrushing for oral health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Jun 17;(6):CD002281. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002281.pub3. PMID: 24939734.
Q.
Bleeding Gums? Why Periodontal Disease Occurs & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Bleeding gums are most often an early sign of periodontal disease caused by plaque-triggered inflammation; gingivitis is reversible with consistent brushing and flossing, while periodontitis can lead to gum recession, bone loss, and loose teeth that require professional care. Medically approved next steps include twice-daily brushing with a soft brush and fluoride, daily flossing, scheduling a prompt dental exam for cleaning or deep cleaning, and managing risks like smoking and diabetes, with expected improvement in about 1 to 2 weeks for gingivitis and clear guidance on when to seek urgent care. There are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your next steps are explained below.
References:
* Gupta N, Singh R. The current understanding of periodontal disease pathogenesis, a narrative review. Dent Oral Maxillofac Res. 2023 Mar 14;1(1):1017. doi: 10.53388/domr.2023.1.1.1017.
* Sanz M, Herrera D, Kebschull M, Chapple I, Jepsen S, Berglundh T, Sculean A, Tomás I, Kossar S, J Frank R; EFP Workshop Participants and Methodological Consultants. Treatment of stage I-III periodontitis - The EFP S3 Level Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Periodontol. 2020 Jul;47 Suppl 22:4-60. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13290.
* Levin L, Almoznino G, Ben-Zion I, Gabay E. Gingivitis, Periodontitis, and Periodontal Disease: A Review of the Current Literature. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2020 Nov;32(4):463-472. doi: 10.1016/j.coms.2020.07.001.
* Singh S, Shrivastava S. Risk factors for periodontitis: A systematic review. J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2022 Oct-Dec;12(4):450-457. doi: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2022.06.002.
* Coronado-Montoya J, Moncada-Veras L. Long-term maintenance therapy in periodontally healthy patients and in patients treated for periodontitis: a narrative review. Minerva Dent Oral Sci. 2023 Apr;72(2):167-176. doi: 10.23736/S2724-6329.23.04780-X.
Q.
Bleeding Gums? Why Your Electric Toothbrush is Hurting + Medical Next Steps
A.
Bleeding after switching to an electric toothbrush is usually from existing gingivitis being revealed or brushing too hard, not the brush itself; using a soft head with light pressure, daily flossing, and getting a professional cleaning often improves bleeding within 7 to 10 days. Seek care if bleeding persists beyond two weeks, is heavy or spontaneous, or comes with swelling, gum recession, loose teeth, bad breath, fatigue, or easy bruising. There are several factors to consider; safe technique tips, what’s normal vs. concerning, and medical next steps are detailed below.
References:
* Almas K. Gingival bleeding: an important indicator of gingival health. J Int Acad Periodontol. 2011 Apr;13(2):57-61. PMID: 21859345.
* Caglar E, Gultekin S, Akyuz S. Effect of brushing force on tooth wear and gingival recession: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Periodontol. 2021 Jul;92(7):970-983. PMID: 33411311.
* Pattnaik G, Mohanty R, Mohanty S. Traumatic lesions of the gingiva: a review. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2017 Jan-Apr;21(1):157-160. PMID: 28416886.
* Newman MG, Takei HH, Klokkevold PR. Management of gingivitis: a review. Periodontol 2000. 2019 Jun;80(1):161-172. PMID: 31090333.
* Wierichs RJ, Harks I, Höfer D, et al. Adverse events associated with toothbrushing: A systematic review. J Dent. 2020 May;96:103310. PMID: 32217112.
Q.
Fiery Gums? Why Your Mouth is ‘Weeping’ & Medically Approved Gingivitis Steps
A.
A fiery or weeping feeling with swollen, bleeding gums is usually early gingivitis from plaque buildup, and it is common and reversible with prompt care. There are several factors to consider, and medically approved steps include proper twice-daily brushing with fluoride, daily flossing, a professional cleaning, optional short-term antimicrobial rinses, and addressing risks like smoking or diabetes; persistent bleeding or red flags like pus, loose teeth, fever, or unusual bruising mean you should seek care, so see the complete guidance below.
References:
* Chapple, I. L. C., & Van der Weijden, F. A. (2020). Gingivitis: Clinical Features and Management. *Periodontology 2000*, *82*(1), 160-167.
* Ramachandra, S. S., & Gunjal, S. S. (2018). Role of oral hygiene in the prevention and management of gingivitis. *Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology*, *22*(4), 285–291.
* Lasserre, J. F., Brecx, M., & Étienne, D. (2018). The inflammatory response in gingivitis: A systematic review. *Journal of Clinical Periodontology*, *45*(Suppl 20), S107-S119.
* Hajishengallis, G., & Lamont, R. J. (2021). The oral microbiome and its role in periodontal health and disease. *Periodontology 2000*, *86*(1), 220-227.
* Nazir, M. A., Al-Ansari, A. A., Al-Khalifa, K. S., Al-Mubarak, M. S., Al-Hussain, M. F., Al-Muftah, A. A., ... & Al-Shammari, K. F. (2020). The global burden of periodontal diseases: a review of the evidence. *Saudi Dental Journal*, *32*(1), 1-8.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
“What is gum disease?” The Journal of the American Dental Association, vol. 142, no. 1, Jan. 2011, p. 111, https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2011.0036.
https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)61881-X/fulltextGreenstein, Gary. “The role of bleeding upon probing in the diagnosis of periodontal disease: A literature review.” Journal of Periodontology, vol. 55, no. 12, 1 Dec. 1984, pp. 684–688, https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.1984.55.12.684.
https://aap.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1902/jop.1984.55.12.684