{"id":20252,"date":"2026-10-15T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theportdental.ca\/blog\/?p=20252"},"modified":"2026-10-04T11:09:56","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T17:09:56","slug":"bleeding-gums-causes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theportdental.ca\/blog\/bleeding-gums-causes\/","title":{"rendered":"Bleeding Gums: Causes and When to See a Dentist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bleeding gums are most often an early sign of gingivitis, the mild stage of gum disease caused by plaque at the gum line (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cda-adc.ca\/for-the-public\/understanding-your-oral-health\/oral-health-conditions\/gingivitis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDA<\/a>). Gingivitis can be reversed with daily brushing, flossing and a professional cleaning. Other causes include brushing too hard, starting to floss, pregnancy, blood thinners and diabetes. If your gums bleed often, or the bleeding lasts more than two weeks, book a checkup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Families in Saddle Ridge, Savanna, Cornerstone and across NE Calgary can book a <a href=\"https:\/\/theportdental.ca\/services\/teeth-cleaning-calgary\">teeth cleaning in Calgary NE<\/a> with evening and weekend hours. Here is what usually causes bleeding gums and what helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What causes bleeding gums?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Healthy gums are pink and firm and don&#8217;t bleed easily (<a href=\"https:\/\/myhealth.alberta.ca\/Health\/Pages\/conditions.aspx?hwid=tooth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MyHealth Alberta<\/a>). When they do bleed, the cause is usually at the gum line. Sometimes it is a health issue elsewhere in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plaque and gingivitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plaque is a clear, sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth every day. If it stays on the teeth, it hardens into tartar (also called calculus), which only a dental professional can remove (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cda-adc.ca\/for-the-public\/understanding-your-oral-health\/oral-health-conditions\/gingivitis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDA<\/a>). Plaque along the gum line irritates the gums. Warning signs include puffy gums, traces of blood on your toothbrush and a change in gum colour. Gingivitis is usually not painful, so it is easy to miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gingivitis vs periodontitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Gingivitis<\/strong> is inflammation of the gums. It is the early, mild form of gum disease, and it can be reversed with good daily care (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/oral-diseases-conditions\/gum-diseases.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Public Health Agency of Canada<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Periodontitis<\/strong> is the advanced form. It affects the gums and the bone that hold your teeth in place, and its damage usually cannot be reversed (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/oral-diseases-conditions\/gum-diseases.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Public Health Agency of Canada<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gum disease is very common. The CDA says seven out of 10 Canadians will develop it at some point in their lives (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cda-adc.ca\/for-the-public\/faqs\/gum-diseases-faqs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDA<\/a>). For the full list of warning signs, read our post on <a href=\"https:\/\/theportdental.ca\/blog\/stay-aware-of-these-symptoms-of-periodontal-gum-disease\/\">symptoms of periodontal gum disease<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brushing too hard or starting to floss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gums can bleed if you brush too hard, use a hard-bristled toothbrush, or snap floss against the gums (<a href=\"https:\/\/myhealth.alberta.ca\/Health\/Pages\/conditions.aspx?hwid=tooth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MyHealth Alberta<\/a>). If you have just started flossing, some bleeding at first is common. It usually goes away on its own in about a week (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mouthhealthy.org\/all-topics-a-z\/bleeding-gums\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American Dental Association<\/a>). Keep flossing gently while your gums settle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pregnancy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hormone changes during pregnancy can make gums more sensitive. They may bleed easily even with good brushing, which is called pregnancy gingivitis (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/pregnancy\/oral-health-pregnancy.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Public Health Agency of Canada<\/a>). The agency suggests a checkup and cleaning in the first trimester. Tell your dental team that you are pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Blood thinners and other medicines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blood-thinning medicines can make gums bleed easily. So can some other medicines, such as phenytoin (a seizure medicine) and calcium channel blockers (a type of heart and blood pressure medicine) (<a href=\"https:\/\/myhealth.alberta.ca\/Health\/Pages\/conditions.aspx?hwid=tooth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MyHealth Alberta<\/a>). Keep taking your medicine as prescribed. Tell your dentist everything you take. If you take a blood thinner and the bleeding does not stop quickly, contact your physician (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mouthhealthy.org\/all-topics-a-z\/bleeding-gums\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ADA<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People with diabetes have a higher risk of serious gum disease. High blood sugar lowers the body&#8217;s ability to fight infection (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.diabetes.ca\/living-with-diabetes\/stories\/diabetes-and-your-teeth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Diabetes Canada<\/a>). Tell your dentist if you have diabetes or prediabetes. Our post on <a href=\"https:\/\/theportdental.ca\/blog\/the-role-of-dental-hygiene-in-managing-diabetes-a-vital-connection\/\">dental hygiene and diabetes<\/a> explains the link in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Smoking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smoking doubles the risk of gum disease compared with not smoking (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/tobacco\/campaign\/tips\/diseases\/periodontal-gum-disease.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDC<\/a>). It can also hide the warning signs. Tobacco affects the normal bleeding response, so a smoker may not see bleeding or swollen gums even when gum disease is present (<a href=\"https:\/\/myhealth.alberta.ca\/Health\/Pages\/conditions.aspx?hwid=tooth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MyHealth Alberta<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Less common causes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now and then, bleeding gums point to a health problem outside the mouth. Examples include bleeding disorders, anemia (low iron or low red blood cells), and a lack of vitamin C or vitamin K (<a href=\"https:\/\/myhealth.alberta.ca\/Health\/Pages\/conditions.aspx?hwid=tooth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MyHealth Alberta<\/a>). Severe vitamin C deficiency, called scurvy, is uncommon in countries with low rates of food insecurity (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.merckmanuals.com\/home\/disorders-of-nutrition\/vitamins\/vitamin-c-deficiency\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Merck Manual<\/a>). If your gums bleed regularly or enough to worry you, see your dentist or your family doctor (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mouthhealthy.org\/all-topics-a-z\/bleeding-gums\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ADA<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to do at home for bleeding gums<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most bleeding from gingivitis improves when plaque is cleaned away every day. These steps help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush with rounded bristles (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cda-adc.ca\/for-the-public\/understanding-your-oral-health\/oral-health-basics\/flossing-brushing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDA<\/a>). Use gentle strokes at the gum line.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Floss once a day. Slide the floss between your teeth and curve it into a C shape around each tooth, just below the gum line (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cda-adc.ca\/for-the-public\/understanding-your-oral-health\/oral-health-basics\/flossing-brushing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDA<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you cannot brush after a meal, rinse with warm salt water: 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water (<a href=\"https:\/\/myhealth.alberta.ca\/Health\/Pages\/conditions.aspx?hwid=tooth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MyHealth Alberta<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose toothpaste and mouthwash with the CDA Seal of Recognition, which means the CDA has reviewed the product (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cda-adc.ca\/for-the-public\/understanding-your-oral-health\/oral-health-conditions\/gingivitis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDA<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid smoking and other tobacco products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check your gums in the mirror regularly. Note any puffiness, colour change or bleeding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Give these habits about two weeks. If the bleeding has not stopped by then, see your dentist (<a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/symptoms\/24908-bleeding-gums\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cleveland Clinic<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How dentists treat bleeding gums<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At your visit, the dentist or hygienist checks your gums with a periodontal probe. This thin tool measures where the gum attaches to each tooth. X-rays show how much bone surrounds your teeth (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cda-adc.ca\/for-the-public\/understanding-your-oral-health\/oral-health-conditions\/gum-diseases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDA<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In early gum disease, the main treatment is a professional cleaning to remove tartar, plus brushing and flossing at home (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cda-adc.ca\/for-the-public\/understanding-your-oral-health\/oral-health-conditions\/gum-diseases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDA<\/a>). Deeper gum pockets may need scaling and root planing. This is a deep cleaning below the gum line that also smooths the tooth roots. Learn more in <a href=\"https:\/\/theportdental.ca\/blog\/how-do-scaling-and-root-planning-help-address-gum-diseases\/\">how scaling and root planing help with gum disease<\/a>. If gum disease is more serious, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in the gums and bone around the teeth (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cda-adc.ca\/for-the-public\/understanding-your-oral-health\/oral-health-conditions\/gum-diseases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDA<\/a>). Your dentist will explain which treatment you need and whether it would be done here or by a specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to see a dentist about bleeding gums<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Book a checkup if you notice any of these signs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your gums bleed most days when you brush or floss.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The bleeding has not stopped after two weeks of gentle brushing and daily flossing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your gums are red, puffy, sore or pulling away from your teeth (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/oral-diseases-conditions\/gum-diseases.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Public Health Agency of Canada<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have bad breath that does not go away.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A tooth feels loose, or your bite feels different.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your gums bleed on their own, without brushing or flossing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You are pregnant, have diabetes or take a blood thinner, and your gums have changed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Swelling with pus at the base of a tooth, a fever or a painful gum can mean an infection (<a href=\"https:\/\/myhealth.alberta.ca\/Health\/Pages\/conditions.aspx?hwid=tooth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MyHealth Alberta<\/a>). Call us, and we will offer a same-day emergency appointment when possible. Outside clinic hours, call Health Link 811 for 24\/7 advice from a registered nurse (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.primarycarealberta.ca\/page14176.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Primary Care Alberta<\/a>). Go to the nearest emergency department for facial swelling with fever. Call 911 if swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bleeding gums FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-q-1\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is it normal for gums to bleed when you start flossing?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Some bleeding is common when you first start flossing, and it usually settles in about a week. If it keeps happening after two weeks of gentle daily flossing, book a checkup.<\/p> <\/div><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-q-2\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can bleeding gums heal on their own?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Bleeding from gingivitis can be reversed with daily brushing and flossing. Tartar can only be removed by a dental professional, so a cleaning is usually part of the fix.<\/p> <\/div><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-q-3\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Should I stop flossing if my gums bleed?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. Keep flossing gently once a day. Bleeding caused by plaque usually improves as the gums get healthier. If it does not, see your dentist.<\/p> <\/div><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-q-4\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Why do my gums bleed during pregnancy?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Pregnancy hormones can make gums more sensitive, so they may bleed easily even with good brushing. The Public Health Agency of Canada suggests a checkup in the first trimester. Tell your dental team you are pregnant.<\/p> <\/div><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-q-5\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can blood thinners cause bleeding gums?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, blood thinners can make gums bleed more easily. Keep taking your medicine as prescribed, tell your dentist you take it, and contact your doctor if bleeding does not stop quickly.<\/p> <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A cleaning and exam is a simple first step for bleeding gums. Learn about <a href=\"https:\/\/theportdental.ca\/services\/teeth-cleaning-calgary\">teeth cleaning at The Port Dental Clinic<\/a>, then <a href=\"https:\/\/theportdental.ca\/book-appointment\">book online<\/a> or call <a href=\"tel:+14033451110\">403-345-1110<\/a>. We are in The Port Plaza in NE Calgary, with direct billing to most insurance plans, and we are a registered CDCP provider.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bleeding gums are usually an early sign of gingivitis, which can be reversed. Learn the common causes, home care that helps, and when to see a dentist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20251,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20252","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dental-cleaning","category-dental-health"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Bleeding Gums: Causes and When to See a Dentist<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bleeding gums are usually an early sign of gingivitis. Learn the common causes, home care that helps, and when to see a dentist in Calgary NE.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/theportdental.ca\/blog\/bleeding-gums-causes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Bleeding Gums: Causes and When to See a Dentist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Bleeding gums are usually an early sign of gingivitis. Learn the common causes, home care that helps, and when to see a dentist in Calgary NE.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/theportdental.ca\/blog\/bleeding-gums-causes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Port Dental Clinic | Calgary Alberta\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-10-15T15:30:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/theportdental.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/bleeding-gums-causes-featured.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"The Port Dental\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"The Port Dental\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/bleeding-gums-causes\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/bleeding-gums-causes\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"The Port Dental\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/f46a11a4d5db415462078905f36814f0\"},\"headline\":\"Bleeding Gums: Causes and When to See a Dentist\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-15T15:30:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/bleeding-gums-causes\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1370,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/bleeding-gums-causes\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/bleeding-gums-causes-featured.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Dental Cleaning\",\"Dental Health\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/bleeding-gums-causes\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/bleeding-gums-causes\\\/\",\"name\":\"Bleeding Gums: Causes and When to See a Dentist\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/bleeding-gums-causes\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/bleeding-gums-causes\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/bleeding-gums-causes-featured.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-15T15:30:00+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theportdental.ca\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/f46a11a4d5db415462078905f36814f0\"},\"description\":\"Bleeding gums are usually an early sign of gingivitis. 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