Dental symptoms · Twickenham · Adult guidance
Bleeding gums. Do not ignore the signs.
Gums that bleed when brushing or eating hard foods need a dental check. Keep cleaning gently: avoiding brushing can allow plaque to build up further.
General information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for dental assessment. Source-backed guide · Dr Sunny’s clinical sign-off is pending.
Do not wait for a practice reply
When you need emergency help
Go to A&E for swelling around your eye or neck, or swelling making it hard to breathe, swallow or speak. Call 999 if you need an ambulance. Heavy mouth bleeding that will not stop or a serious face or jaw injury also requires emergency help.
For urgent dental problems when you cannot reach a dentist or get an appointment, call NHS 111. A website enquiry is not an emergency service.
First decision
When to contact a dentist
Book a dental appointment for bleeding gums. Seek urgent dental advice if gums are very sore or swollen, teeth become loose, or you have mouth ulcers, red patches or a lump in your mouth or on your lip.
Possible explanations
What might be causing it?
Plaque build-up and gum disease are common causes of bleeding gums, but bleeding alone does not tell you the cause or severity. Your dentist can assess gum health and discuss other factors, including medicines and medical history.
While you arrange care
Practical steps
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, including the gum line gently. Spit after brushing rather than rinsing.
- Clean between teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes. Ask your dental team about the correct size and technique.
- Do not stop cleaning solely because gums bleed. Ask for advice if cleaning is painful or bleeding persists.
- Avoid smoking. Do not stop prescribed medicine because of bleeding without speaking to the prescriber.
Your assessment
What the dentist will check
Your dentist can check plaque, gum inflammation, gum pockets and tooth support. Professional cleaning and home-care advice may be appropriate; more advanced gum problems may require further treatment or specialist assessment.
Sunny Dental · One Twickenham practice
Getting in touch
2 London Road, Twickenham, London TW1 3RY · +44 7356 215372
Monday to Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday: closed.. Call to ask about availability; same-day appointments are not guaranteed. If you need urgent care and cannot get help here, contact NHS 111.
Independent patient information
Sources and further reading
Other dental concerns