Pink in the sink after brushing is so common that many people assume it’s normal. It isn’t. Healthy gums don’t bleed. Bleeding is the earliest warning sign of gum disease, and also the stage at which it is easiest to reverse.
Why gums bleed
Almost always, the cause is plaque: the soft, sticky film of bacteria that builds up along the gumline. If it isn’t cleaned away, the gums become inflamed. This is gingivitis: red, puffy gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss.
Left long enough, plaque hardens into tartar (calculus), which brushing can’t remove. Bacteria then work their way below the gumline, and the inflammation starts to destroy the bone that holds the teeth. That is periodontitis. Gums recede, pockets form, and teeth can eventually loosen.
Other things that make gums more likely to bleed:
- Diabetes, especially when blood sugar is poorly controlled
- Smoking and tobacco chewing: which can also hide bleeding by reducing blood flow, so gum disease progresses silently
- Pregnancy hormones
- Brushing too hard, or a hard-bristled brush
- Some medicines, including blood thinners
When to worry
See a dentist if you notice:
- bleeding most days, or bleeding without brushing
- gums that are red, swollen or tender
- persistent bad breath or a bad taste
- gums pulling back so teeth look longer
- teeth that feel loose or have started to move
What to do at home
- Keep brushing, gently. It’s tempting to avoid the bleeding area, but that lets plaque build up further. Use a soft brush, angle it towards the gumline, and brush for two minutes, twice a day.
- Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes. This is where gum disease usually starts.
- Don’t rely on mouthwash alone. It can help, but it cannot remove plaque that is already stuck to teeth.
If gingivitis is the cause, bleeding usually improves within one to two weeks of good cleaning.
How we treat it
- Assessment. We measure the space between each tooth and gum and take X-rays to check the bone.
- Professional cleaning. For gingivitis, a scale and polish is often enough. For periodontitis we do a deep cleaning below the gumline under local anaesthesia.
- A routine that works for you. We show you the right brush and interdental brush sizes for your teeth.
- Maintenance. Gum disease is controlled, not cured, so regular reviews every three to six months keep it stable.
Gums and diabetes
Diabetes and gum disease affect each other: diabetes makes gum infections worse, and untreated gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control. If you are diabetic, regular gum care is part of looking after your overall health, please tell us about your diabetes and medicines at your visit.
Bleeding gums are a small problem that becomes a big one if ignored. Book a check-up and we’ll tell you exactly where things stand.
