Puberty and Swollen Gums: What to Do When Your Teen's Gums Bleed When Brushing

Puberty hormones make gums react more to plaque, so they swell and bleed easily. Why not to stop brushing when gums bleed, gumline tips, and when to go in.

If your teen says, "My gums bleed when I brush," or you spot pink foam in the sink, it's natural to worry. At this age, it's common for gums to swell and bleed more easily than usual. Here's why it happens and how to brush when the gums bleed. It's a good one for parents and teens to read together.

Why gums get sensitive during puberty

Healthy gums are firm, and they rarely bleed when brushing. Gums with natural brown or dark pigment are normal too, so rather than the color, watch for swelling and bleeding that's different from usual. But during puberty, big hormone changes make the gums react more strongly to plaque. Even the same amount of plaque now causes a bigger reaction, so you may see changes like these:

• The edges of the gums turn red and puffy.
• They bleed easily when brushing or flossing.
• The gums may look rounded and swollen.

Here's the key point. Hormones only make the gums more sensitive. The direct cause is plaque left between the teeth and gums. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that clings to the teeth. So once careful cleaning removes the plaque, the gums usually settle down.

At this age, kids brush on their own and are busy too, so it's easy to rush past the gumline. With braces, plaque builds up even more around the brackets, so the gums swell even more easily. Gum inflammation is also a common cause of bad breath, so for teens who worry about their breath, that can be good motivation to care for their gums.

Even if the gums bleed, brush more carefully

Try brushing this way:

1. Brush twice a day for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
2. Tilt the bristles slightly toward the gumline, where teeth meet gums, and move them in small, gentle vibrating strokes. The gumline is the most important spot.
3. Use a soft toothbrush and don't scrub hard. Pressing hard makes the gums hurt more.
4. Floss every day. Slide it between the teeth, then move it up and down along the side of each tooth.
5. With braces, add interdental brushes and a water flosser (a device that sprays water to clean between the teeth).

When your teen flosses for the first time or brushes carefully after a long break, the gums may bleed. It's easy to get alarmed and stop, but bleeding fades after a few days of keeping it up. That's because the gum inflammation calms down as the plaque goes away.

Busy mornings often run short on time, so have your teen give the bedtime brushing plenty of time at least once a day. Flossing at the same time makes it easier to turn into a habit. Frequent snacking or slowly sipping sweet drinks makes plaque build up faster, so rinsing with water after eating helps too.

There's a part for parents too. Even though teens brush on their own, check the results together now and then. Looking in the mirror together to see whether the gumline is clean and the swelling has gone down helps. For kids this age, a light question like "How are your gums doing these days?" feels less like an inspection.

Here's something to tell your teen directly. Bleeding gums are a sign saying "There's still plaque here." Don't avoid the spot. Brush it more gently and more carefully, and the gums will get better quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Still the same after 2 weeks? See the dentist

• Swelling and bleeding continue after 2 weeks of careful cleaning
• The gums swell up unusually large
• The gums hurt so much that brushing is hard
• The gums around braces keep swelling and bleeding
• Bad breath continues even with careful cleaning

English ebook · Dentist Ingyoon An

A guide to the decisions behind dental care

Tooth Calendar follows dental care from pregnancy to eighteen in 78 chapters. Explore the reasons behind feeding, brushing, baby-tooth decay, sedation, and injury decisions—including what can be watched and when to seek help. Age-based contents and a topic index help you find the concern you have today.

Preview & buy on Google Play Books

The information in this article is for general educational purposes and does not replace professional dental care. Talk to a dentist about your child's condition.

← All articles