Sucking blood out of gums

Bleeding may come from plaque-related gingivitis, calculus, a sharp food fragment, brushing trauma, a cut, gum disease, or a tooth infection. The appearance and location matter, including whether blood comes from one spot or many areas.

Wash your hands, rinse with cool water, and hold clean gauze against the area with steady gentle pressure. Avoid vigorous rinsing, poking the gum, smoking, and hard foods until the bleeding settles.

Seek prompt care when bleeding is heavy, spontaneous, recurrent, follows an injury, or occurs with swelling, pus, pain, loose teeth, or fever. Emergency help is needed for bleeding that will not stop or swelling that affects breathing or swallowing.

Ask which tissue is bleeding, whether plaque or calculus is present, and whether a tooth, medication, or medical condition is contributing. Ask whether you need cleaning, periodontal treatment, or repair of an injured tooth.