Bleeding Gums

Also known as: gum bleeding, gum disease

What are bleeding gums?

The gums are the soft tissue lining the inside of the mouth. When the gums are bleeding, this can range from mild problems that are easy to correct to the sign of a more serious medical condition.
 

What might cause bleeding gums?

Causes of bleeding gums can range from mild to severe and include the following potential causes:

• Biting the gums
• Vigorous brushing or dental care
• Improperly fitting dentures
• Gingivitis
• Periodontitis
• Vitamin deficiency
• Lack of platelets
• Leukemia

What can you do about it?

If you have mild or occasional gum bleeding, you may want to use an electric toothbrush and antiseptic mouthwash. If you have dentures and bleeding gums, it might be worth a discussion with your dentist about the fit of your dentures. Regular tobacco use is another potential cause of bleeding gums. A visit to the dentist every 6 months will help to determine the cause of the bleeding gums and appropriate treatment.
 

When should you seek medical attention?

If gum bleeding is severe, persistent or continues even after making changes to your dental hygiene, it’s worth a discussion with your dentist and health care provider to determine other possible causes of bleeding gums.

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Reviewed by: Vanessa Frietas, DDS

This page was last updated on: September 16, 2025 12:50 PM