How to Stop Gum Bleeding Immediately: What To Do?

Has your gum started bleeding suddenly when you’re out and about? Don’t panic – a little gum bleeding is normal occasionally, especially if you’ve been extra diligent with brushing and flossing. However, the bright red blood can look alarming and cause worry. Learning simple and effective ways to stop the bleeding will help ease your concerns.

While minor gum bleeding often takes care of itself, stopping it immediately can help prevent a mess. It may also reduce the infection risk if anything irritates the tissues. The good news is there are several ways you can stop the flow. If needed, that will give you time to schedule an appointment with your dentist to examine the cause and ensure your gums are healthy.

10 Best Ways to Stop Gum Bleeding Immediately

Below are some of the best, proven and practical ways you can stop gum bleeding immediately:

• Rinse with Warm Salt Water

Rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water solution can be an extremely effective way to quickly stop gum bleeding. The salt acts as a mild disinfectant that can help constrict blood vessels and form a coagulant over the wound. 

Add approximately 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water when making the solution. Swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds, focusing on the bleeding area. The heat from the warm water encourages vasoconstriction while the salt draws out moisture and accelerates the natural clotting process. 

Rinse a few times until the bleeding seems to slow, then dip your finger in the solution and apply it directly to the spot if needed. Within just a few minutes, the salt water rinse often provides bleeding gums with rapid relief. also read: Best Treatment For Gum Bleeding

• Apply a Cold Compress

Applying an ice pack or cold compress directly to the bleeding gum line can help constrict vessels and reduce swelling. This encourages bleeding to slow and clots to form. 

Wrap an ice cube or cold tea bag in a clean washcloth and press it externally to the gum area for 5 minutes. You can also use a commercially available cold pack or bag of frozen vegetables. The sudden cold exposure causes immediate vasoconstriction, similar to what plumping or numbing gels provide. 

Reapply as needed until the bleeding has fully stopped. Be careful not to leave the cold pack on for more than 10 minutes to avoid numbing the area or damaging tissue. Also read: The Best Home Remedies That Helps With Gum Bleeding.

• Rinse with an Antibacterial Mouthwash

For an internal antimicrobial solution, many people find relief from gum bleeding by rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash. Choose a brand with ingredients like cetylpyridinium chloride or essential oils that can eliminate bacteria at bleeding sites. 

Use as directed by the product instructions, typically swirling 10-30mL for 30 seconds before spitting out. The antiseptic properties fight infection and promote healing, while ingredients like alcohol can constrict vessels to further staunch blood flow. Read: How To Improve Gum Naturally?

Some people find rinsing several times throughout the day provides the sustained control of minor gum bleeding until it fully resolves.

• Chew on Garlic Cloves

Garlic is a natural home remedy that can help stop gum bleeding quickly. Garlic contains allicin, a compound that has potent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. When raw garlic is chewed, allicin is released in the mouth, where it can help kill bacteria near the bleeding site that may be exacerbating an infection. 

The anti-inflammatory effects also help reduce swelling and irritation of the gums. Additionally, allicin acts as a vasoconstrictor to constrict blood vessels and slow blood flow to the bleeding area. 

Peel and chew 2-3 fresh garlic cloves directly over the bleeding area of the gum or gums. Continue chewing for 10-15 minutes, periodically moving the cloves around your mouth with your tongue. 

The allicin released from chewing fresh garlic can help accelerate the clotting process and sealing of broken blood vessels to stop bleeding quickly. You can chew garlic cloves a few times a day for persistent bleeding until it has fully resolved. Also read: The Best Home Remedies For Bad Breath

• Apply a Turmeric Paste

Turmeric contains a bioactive compound called curcumin with potent natural antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a very effective home remedy for Stopping gum bleeding. 

All you need is to mix 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder with just enough water to form a thick paste. Use a small amount of the bright yellow turmeric paste and gently apply it directly over the bleeding gum area. Leave the paste on the gumline for 15-20 minutes before rinsing away with warm water. 

The antibacterial qualities of turmeric help disinfect any infection near the bleeding site, while the anti-inflammatory properties soothe irritation and swelling. Applying a fresh turmeric paste 1-2 times daily can help accelerate the natural clotting process and healing of broken blood vessels to rapidly stop bleeding. The antiseptic effect of topical turmeric also reduces the risk of infection when gum bleeding occurs.

• Take Vitamin K Supplement

Vitamin K is vital in blood clotting and can help stop gum bleeding when taken as a supplement. It works by acting as a cofactor for several clotting factors in the liver that are necessary for blood to clot normally. 

When bleeding occurs, taking around 450 mcg of supplemental vitamin K can raise clotting factor levels sufficiently within a day or two to encourage coagulation and healing. Look for a balanced vitamin K supplement that provides both K1 from plant sources and K2, as K2 may be more effective for clotting. Continue the supplement for a few days until all bleeding signs have disappeared.

Good dietary sources of vitamin K include leafy greens like kale, spinach, collard greens, and Swiss chard. Eating a serving of these vegetables with your vitamin K supplement can boost its effects. Not only do greens contain ample vitamin K to support clotting, but their anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and minerals may also help reduce gum swelling and irritation.

• Consider Oil Pulling

In addition to the other natural remedies, oil pulling with coconut or sesame oil can also help stop gum bleeding quickly. Oil pulling involves swishing oil around your mouth for an extended period. The oil pulls toxins and bacteria out of the mouth and gums. Coconut and sesame oil both have antimicrobial properties. 

Take 1-2 teaspoons of oil into your mouth and swish it vigorously around the entire oral cavity for 10-20 minutes. The oil will take on a whitish consistency, pulling toxins and waste from the gums. Spit it out afterwards and rinse your mouth with water. 

Repeat this once daily to increase blood circulation to the gums, which speed healing. It will also lower microbial activity, which can help reduce inflammation and stop bleeding. Oil pulling may take a few sessions to show visible results, but it can be a simple and effective home remedy.

• Rinse with Hydrogen Peroxide

Rinsing the mouth with a hydrogen peroxide solution can rapidly stop gum bleeding in some cases due to its disinfecting properties. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic that kills harmful bacteria near the gums that may be aggravating bleeding. 

It also works as an astringent to constrict blood vessels. Create a solution by mixing equal parts of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water. Then, rinse the solution around the entire mouth, focusing on the bleeding area for 30 seconds before spitting it out. This process may cause brief bubbling or tingling. Rinse 1-2 times daily until bleeding subsides. 

Take care not to swallow the solution. The peroxide’s ability to disinfect cuts and help clot in the gum tissue provides quick first aid to potentially stop bleeding faster. It can also help balance the oral microbiome.

• Over-the-Counter Medications

Nothing has worked so far. Medicated gels or creams containing ingredients like benzocaine, phenol, or epinephrine can rapidly relieve bleeding upon application. Benzocaine numbs the area on contact to reduce sensitivity. Phenol and epinephrine work as astringents to constrict blood vessels. 

Look for Anbesol, Orajel or similar brands containing these ingredients to apply directly onto bleeding gums. The numbing effect takes effect almost immediately to stop bleeding and ease pain. These temporary treatments provide fast relief until the bleeding resolves on its own.

Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and minimize bleeding associated with inflamed or infected gums. Ibuprofen is an NSAID that decreases prostaglandin production to lower inflammation. 

For gum bleeding, try dissolving several 200mg ibuprofen tablets in your mouth near the bleeding area. The localized dissolution allows the medication to be directed precisely where needed. 

Taking an additional standard ibuprofen oral dose may provide added healing benefits. Combining ibuprofen with other home remedies can accelerate the clotting process when gums are bleeding.

• See a Dentist

While home remedies can help stop gum bleeding quickly, it’s always best to see your dentist if bleeding persists after treatments or recurs frequently. Some signs that warrant a prompt dental checkup:

• Bleeding gums that do not stop within a few days of trying natural remedies
• Bleeding with brushing or flossing more than a couple times a week  
• Swollen, reddened or tender gums alongside bleeding
• Bleeding gums accompanied by pain or discomfort
• Bleeding due to suspected injury or if you’ve recently had dental work/surgery
• Bleeding gums if you have a chronic condition like diabetes 

Seeing the dentist right away when these warning signs are present will allow them to properly examine and diagnose any potential issues. This is important to determine the underlying cause and rule out conditions like gum disease. 

The dentist can give you something at the office to stop the bleeding. Thereafter may conduct a thorough checkup to understand what is contributing to inflammation and bleeding. They may also run tests and take X-rays. If a problem is identified, starting professional treatments can help get your gums healthy again faster. 

In many cases, undergoing a treatment plan prescribed by your dentist can also help prevent future bleeding episodes. So, if home remedies don’t provide immediate relief, consulting a dental professional should be the next step to properly manage bleeding gums.

Conclusion

Gum bleeding is a common issue that can occur for a variety of reasons. While most cases resolve quickly when treated appropriately, persistent or recurrent bleeding may be due to something more serious. Fortunately, many natural home remedies can help maintain healthy gums and stop bleeding temporarily. 

Cold compresses, salt water rinses, oil pulling, and applying turmeric paste can all provide quick relief. Anti-inflammatory medications, hydrogen peroxide, and over-the-counter gels can also be used when needed. If these strategies are unable to stop gum bleeding or symptoms persist for more than a few days, it’s best to see a dentist to diagnose possible underlying causes.

Medical Discalimer: The information provided here On Geeks Health website is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have or suspect a medical problem, promptly contact your healthcare provider. Reliance on any information in this response is solely at your own risk.