What bleeding gum around a single tooth can mean

Common localized causes

Food fibers or plaque can become lodged between teeth and inflame the small wedge of gum in that space. Other possibilities include a chipped tooth, decay near the gumline, an overhanging restoration, a poorly fitting crown, orthodontic hardware or a deep periodontal pocket.

Bleeding behind the last molar may involve tissue around a partly erupted wisdom tooth. Bleeding near a dental implant can signal inflammation around the implant and should not be ignored.

• A sharp edge that catches floss may indicate a restoration or tooth-surface problem.
• Bleeding during biting or chewing can follow direct trauma but may also accompany infection.
• A recurring pimple-like bump on the gum can be a drainage tract from an infected tooth.

How to inspect and clean the area safely

Use good lighting and look for redness, swelling, an ulcer, trapped material or a broken tooth. Avoid probing under the gum with pins, toothpicks or other sharp objects.

Brush gently along the gumline and clean between the teeth with floss or an appropriately sized interdental brush. Slide floss against each tooth in a C shape rather than snapping it into the gum.

• If floss shreds or repeatedly catches, note the location for your dentist.
• Use a water flosser only at a comfortable setting; high pressure is not a substitute for diagnosis.
• Stop manipulating the site if cleaning produces heavy bleeding or severe pain.
• Take a clear photograph if the swelling comes and goes.

After a dental procedure

Minor bleeding can occur after an extraction, deep cleaning or other procedure. Follow the dentist's written instructions because brushing, rinsing and pressure recommendations differ by procedure. Contact the office if bleeding exceeds what you were told to expect.

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Signs the tooth may be infected

An abscess can produce throbbing pain, tenderness when biting, pus, a foul taste, heat or cold sensitivity, or swelling of the gum or face. Some infected teeth drain and become temporarily less painful, so reduced pain does not prove the infection has resolved.

Dental infections require treatment of their source. Depending on the diagnosis, that may involve drainage, root canal treatment, periodontal therapy or extraction; antibiotics alone do not reliably eliminate a source inside a tooth.

• Seek same-day advice for facial swelling, fever, pus or escalating pain.
• Go to emergency care for difficulty breathing or swallowing, neck swelling or swelling near the eye.
• Do not squeeze, puncture or apply heat to a suspected abscess.

When to book a routine appointment

Make an appointment if the same spot bleeds repeatedly, remains swollen, traps food, smells unpleasant or does not improve after several days of careful cleaning. Earlier assessment is appropriate for an implant, a loose tooth, an ill-fitting crown or a medical condition that affects healing.

At the visit, explain whether the bleeding is spontaneous or happens only during cleaning. Mention pain on biting, temperature sensitivity and any recent dental work, because those details help distinguish gum inflammation from a problem inside the tooth.

• Bring the name of any blood-thinning medicine.
• Ask whether an X-ray or gum-pocket measurement is needed.
• Ask how to clean the specific contact or restoration without injuring the tissue.

Frequently Asked Questions