Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.
Bleeding gums and dental bleeding
7-minute read
Key facts
- Dental bleeding is when you bleed from your mouth, gums, lips or tooth sockets.
- Possible causes of dental bleeding are gum disease, mouth ulcers or an injury to your mouth or teeth.
- Other symptoms related to dental bleeding may include pain in your gums and teeth, bad breath or loose teeth.
- See your dentist or doctor if you have frequent or heavy bleeding in your mouth.
- Regularly brushing and flossing your teeth can help prevent dental bleeding.
What are bleeding gums and dental bleeding?
Dental bleeding is when blood comes from your:
- mouth
- gums
- lips
- tooth sockets
What symptoms are related to dental bleeding?
If you have dental bleeding, you may also have:
- pain in your gums or teeth
- swelling of your mouth, gums or face
- bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth
- loose teeth
- receding gums (gums that move away from your teeth)
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
What causes dental bleeding?
Causes of dental bleeding include:
- gum disease
- dental treatment
- dental surgery
- an injury to your teeth or mouth
Bleeding gums
If your gums bleed after you have brushed your teeth, this could be a sign of gum disease. Gum disease occurs when plaque builds up on your teeth and gums.
Early gum disease is called gingivitis. As well as bleeding, gingivitis can cause redness and swelling of your gums.
Advanced gum disease is called periodontitis. This can happen when gingivitis is not treated. Periodontitis can cause:
- loose teeth
- bad breath
- pain or discomfort when biting
- loss of teeth
Mouth conditions
Other mouth conditions can cause dental bleeding, including:
- mouth ulcers
- mouth infections
- oral cancer
Dental treatment or dental surgery
Your gums or mouth may start to bleed after having a dental procedure, such as a:
- tooth extraction (tooth pulled out)
- dental crown procedure
Injuries to teeth and mouth
Injury to your teeth or mouth can cause dental bleeding, due to a:
- fall
- sporting injury
- impact to your face or mouth
When should I see my dentist or doctor?
If you have frequent or heavy bleeding in your mouth, it's important to see a dentist or doctor. Getting treatment early can improve your symptoms and help prevent any complications.
Visit your dentist or doctor if you have:
- a sore or ulcer that does not heal within 2 weeks
- difficulty swallowing or speaking
- red or white patches in your mouth
- swelling or numbness in or around your mouth
- any symptoms of infection, such as a fever (temperature of 38℃ or higher)
- any changes in your mouth that you are worried about
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
How is the cause of bleeding gums or dental bleeding diagnosed?
To diagnose the cause of dental bleeding, your doctor or dentist will examine your mouth and ask about your symptoms. Your doctor or dentist may also ask about:
- your oral health habits
- your diet
- any previous dental trauma
How are bleeding gums and dental bleeding treated?
Treatment for gum disease
The treatment for gum disease involves removing plaque and calculus (hardened plaque) from your teeth. This can be done by a:
- dentist
- oral health therapist
- dental hygienist
- specialist periodontist
You will also need to brush and floss your teeth regularly to keep your gums healthy. It's recommended that you use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste when brushing your teeth.
Treatment of other mouth conditions
Abscesses are small pockets of pus that can occur inside your tooth or gum, often caused by tooth decay. Treating an abscess may require antibiotics and pain-relief medicines.
Mouth ulcers are sores that appear on the inside of your mouth. They will usually get better without treatment. Your doctor may recommend pain-relief medicines or rinsing your mouth with warm salt water for short-term relief.
Tooth decay is caused by a build-up of plaque and can lead to a cavity (hole) in your tooth. See your dentist if you have any symptoms of tooth decay — you may need a filling or varnish on your tooth.
Ask your dentist how to best treat your mouth condition.
Self-care at home
If your dental bleeding was caused by an injury or a dental procedure, here is some tips that can help:
- Apply pressure over the area with gauze or a clean cloth. Dampen the cloth slightly with clean water.
- Keep this cloth in place for 30 minutes without removing it. Check to see if the bleeding has stopped. If not, re-apply a clean cloth and see a dentist.
- Do not rinse your mouth or put your fingers in your mouth.
- If you are in pain, ask your pharmacist which pain-relief medicines you can take.
- Avoid strenuous activity, hot drinks and hard foods.
- Avoid or limit smoking and vaping as this can stop your mouth from healing properly.
- Always visit a dentist after an injury to your mouth or teeth.
Follow any advice your dentist gives about eating and drinking after dental work.
Read more about first aid for dental injuries.
What are the complications of bleeding gums and dental bleeding?
If your bleeding gums are caused by gum disease and are not treated, the condition can get worse and lead to:
- periodontitis (severe gum disease) — this may be irreversible and can cause loss of teeth
- an abscess — this may result in your tooth needing to be removed
Gum disease is also linked to a higher chance of long term health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Can bleeding gums and dental bleeding be prevented?
It's important to have good oral health to help prevent bleeding gums and dental bleeding. Here are some tips that might help:
- Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste after every meal. If this is not possible, try to rinse your mouth after each meal.
- Use dental floss every day — ask your dentist about how to floss if you are unsure.
- Visit your dentist for regular check-ups.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Avoid foods and drinks high in sugar.
- Avoid or limit smoking and vaping.
- Limit your alcohol intake.
Resources and support
Find out more about different types of gum disease on the Teeth.org.au website
Languages other than English
Visit the Health Translations page for a fact sheet on gum disease in multiple languages.
The Teeth.org.au website offers a variety of resources in languages other than English.
Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
For Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Teeth.org.au website offers resources, including information on:
You can also call the healthdirect helpline for advice on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.