Gum health | 3 min read
Bleeding gums when you brush: when to see a dentist
Bleeding gums are common, but they are not normal. The causes, what to do at home and when a cleaning is needed.
By Dr. Mahnoor Farooq, Smile Dental Clinic (demo)
If your gums bleed when you brush, they are usually telling you that tartar has built up along the gum line. The gums get inflamed and bleed easily.
At home
- Brush twice a day for 2 minutes with a soft brush
- Clean between teeth with floss or a small brush once a day
- Do not stop brushing the area that bleeds: gentle brushing helps it heal
See a dentist if
- Bleeding lasts more than 2 weeks
- Gums are swollen, red or pulling back from the teeth
- You have bad breath that does not go away
- Teeth feel loose
The fix
Scaling and polish removes the tartar. Most people see the bleeding stop within 1 to 2 weeks after a cleaning.
Sample article on a demo website, for general information only. It is not medical advice: always ask your own dentist.