Quick answer
It’s normal for babies’ gums to bleed a little when their teeth start coming in. The bleeding occurs because their gums become inflamed and more sensitive as the teeth push through. While a small amount of blood mixed with saliva is common, excessive bleeding could indicate a problem like an infection or vitamin deficiency. If your baby has bleeding gums beyond a pink tinge in their saliva, consult their pediatrician.
What causes babies’ gums to bleed when teething?
As babies’ teeth start moving through the gums, it puts pressure on the surrounding gum tissue. The pressure causes inflammation that makes the gums more prone to bleeding when touched or rubbed. Here are some key reasons why babies’ gums may bleed during teething:
– Increased blood flow – More blood flows to the area to deliver nutrients and promote healing as the teeth erupt. This makes the gums red and swollen.
– Tender gums – The irritated gum tissue around erupting teeth is more sensitive and delicate. Even normal actions like nursing, bottle feeding, chewing toys or drooling can make it bleed.
– Chewing and biting – Once teeth partially emerge, babies tend to bite down on things out of instinct. This extra pressure on inflamed gums leads to bleeding.
– Infections – Bacteria can get trapped in swollen gum flaps around new teeth, causing infections like gingivitis that make gums more prone to bleeding.
– Vitamin deficiencies – Not getting enough vitamin C and other nutrients needed for healthy gums and wound healing can aggravate bleeding.
So in summary, the main causes are the increased blood supply, sensitivity, pressure and potential infections associated with the teething process. But while some bleeding is normal, excessive bleeding may be a concern.
At what age do babies’ gums bleed while teething?
Babies’ gums typically start to bleed due to teething between 4-7 months old. Here’s an overview of when bleeding gums commonly occur with different teeth coming in:
– 4-7 months: Lower central incisors – Bleeding may start when the two bottom front teeth start moving through the gums.
– 8-12 months: Upper central incisors – The top front teeth cause bleeding as they erupt.
– 9-13 months: Upper lateral incisors – The upper side teeth come in next, irritating the gums.
– 10-16 months: Lower lateral incisors – Then the lower side teeth cut through, resulting in potential bleeding.
– 13-19 months: First molars – These larger teeth can really put pressure on the gums and cause bleeding.
– 16-22 months: Canines – The sharp eye teeth often lead to bleeding as they emerge.
So while each baby’s timing varies, you can generally expect teething bleeding between about 4-24 months as different teeth come through. The most common window is 6-12 months when the front and early side teeth are erupting. But bleeding is possible anytime primary teeth are pushing through inflamed gums.
Is it normal for gums to bleed when teething?
It’s very common and generally normal for some mild gum bleeding to occur during teething. Here are some signs it’s likely a normal part of the teething process:
– Pink-tinged saliva – You notice a faint streak of blood mixed with drool.
– Occurs with eruption – Bleeding coincides with teeth pushing through visibly swollen gums.
– Minor bleeding – Blood appears when gums are touched but stops quickly.
– No other symptoms – Your baby seems otherwise healthy, without fever, diarrhea or swelling.
– Improves over days – Bleeding does not get progressively worse or last longer than 3-5 days.
As long as the bleeding is minor, only lasts briefly, and goes away within a few days, it’s usually nothing to worry about. But extensive bleeding, bleeding that seems to worsen or lasts longer, or bleeding accompanied by other symptoms warrants seeing your pediatrician.
When to be concerned about teething bleeding
While a small amount of bleeding is normal with teething, there are certain situations when bleeding gums require medical attention:
– Excessive bleeding – Blood is flowing heavily instead of light pink staining.
– Worsening bleeding – Bleeding seems to increase in frequency or duration over several days.
– Lasting over a week – Bleeding has continued for more than 5-7 days.
– Other symptoms – Bleeding is accompanied by fever, diarrhea, rash, swelling or other issues.
– Poor appetite – Bleeding interferes with ability to eat or breastfeed.
– Acting ill – Baby seems very irritable, lethargic or uncomfortable.
– Medical conditions – Existing blood or immune disorder makes serious infection more likely.
– No emerging teeth – Gums bleed even though no new teeth are visibly cutting through.
– Age under 4 months or over 24 months – Bleeding occurs outside the typical teething window.
In these situations, contact your pediatrician promptly. Serious causes like an abscess, vitamin deficiency or platelet disorder need to be ruled out.
What to do if baby’s gums are bleeding from teething
If your baby has some light bleeding of the gums while teething, here are some tips to ease the discomfort and prevent complications:
– Gently wipe away blood – Use a clean, damp washcloth to wipe blood from their mouth after feeding or drooling.
– Cool the gums – Give them a chilled teething ring or rub swollen gums with a cool, wet cloth.
– Massage gums – Use clean fingers to rub gums gently after rinsing the mouth.
– Avoid hard foods – Don’t give foods like crackers that could scrape the irritated gums.
– Brush gently – Use a very soft baby toothbrush and water only if brushing.
– See a doctor – If bleeding seems excessive or doesn’t improve within 3-5 days.
– Treat infection – Use antibiotics if the pediatrician diagnoses an infection.
– Improve diet – Offer more vitamin C and K-rich foods if deficiency is suspected.
– Comfort with pain relief – Use infant pain medication sparingly if baby is very uncomfortable.
With prompt attention and good oral care, minor gum bleeding from teething should resolve within a few days as long as there is no underlying illness or deficiency present. But contact your pediatrician right away if bleeding seems abnormal.
Home remedies to stop bleeding gums from teething
Along with professional medical care if concerning bleeding develops, there are some natural remedies parents can try at home to soothe mildly bleeding gums:
– Chilled cucumbers – Gently rub sore gums with a cold cucumber slice to reduce inflammation.
– Ice packs – Wrap some ice cubes or a cold pack in a cloth and press to gums for up to 20 minutes.
– Cool spoon – Let a metal spoon chill in the refrigerator, then gently rub it on the sore gums.
– Wet tea bag – Slightly dampen a black or green tea bag and press onto the gums to help blood clot.
– Honey – Dab on a tiny amount of pure raw honey to naturally fight bacteria.
– Cold apple sauce – The coolness and acidity can temporarily help constrict blood vessels.
– Wet gauze – Use clean gauze dabbed in water to dab and gently compress bleeding gums.
– Turmeric paste – Make a paste with turmeric powder and coconut oil to relieve inflammation.
– Clove oil – This natural analgesic can temporarily numb sore gums when applied topically.
– Witch hazel – The astringent properties help constrict gum tissue and blood vessels.
These remedies may temporarily relieve mild bleeding and soothe inflamed gums alongside proper medical treatment. But consult your pediatrician promptly if bleeding lasts more than a few days or causes concern.
Teething tips to prevent bleeding gums
You can help prevent excessive bleeding of the gums during teething by:
– Gently cleaning gums – Wipe with a wet cloth after feeding to remove food and bacteria.
– Rinsing mouth – Use a bulb syringe with plain water to rinse away food debris.
– Avoid irritants – Steer clear of sharp chips, crackers, teething biscuits.
– Check biting – Try to keep babies from biting down on hard objects like toys.
– Massage gums – Rub sore gums very gently with a clean finger.
– Use teething rings – The cold helps reduce swelling and chewing soothes pain.
– Improve diet – Ensure baby eats vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables.
– Stay hydrated – Increase fluids to help thin saliva and avoid gum irritation.
– Use gum numbing gel – Ask your pediatrician if an over-the-counter oral gel with benzocaine is appropriate.
– Watch for signs of infection – See a doctor promptly if gums look very red or are oozing pus.
With diligent gum and mouth care, you can help reduce inflammation and the likelihood of bleeding as new teeth come in. But contact your pediatrician if bleeding seems worrisome.
When to call the pediatrician about teething bleeding
Contact your child’s pediatrician right away if:
– Bleeding seems excessive – Steady flow of blood instead of faint pink.
– Bleeding increases – Gums bleed more often or for longer duration.
– Bleeding lasts over 5 days – Has continued beyond the normal window.
– Bleeding spreads – Blood appears not just where teeth are emerging.
– Other symptoms develop – Such as fever, rash or diarrhea.
– Poor eating – Bleeding interferes with breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
– Behavior changes – Baby seems particularly cranky and irritable.
– Underlying condition – Baby has a health issue making serious infection more likely.
– Age inappropriate – Bleeding occurs before 4 months or after 24 months.
– No visible teething – No teeth are visibly cutting through surface.
Don’t wait more than a day or two if bleeding seems abnormal or gets progressively worse. An infection or deficiency needs prompt treatment.
Do teething tablets stop bleeding gums?
Some over-the-counter teething tablets claim to help soothe teething pain and swelling. However, the FDA issued warnings about the use of these products in babies and does not recommend them. Here’s what to know:
– Varied ingredients – Different brands contain different ingredients like chamomile, caffeine, herbs, homeopathic extracts or benzocaine.
– Little evidence – There’s limited evidence that ingredients like belladonna actually provide pain relief.
– Choking hazard – Tablets can pose a choking risk for babies.
– Benzocaine risks – This numbing agent can cause rare but dangerous side effects in babies like methemoglobinemia.
– FDA warning – The FDA warned about using these products due to potential side effects and lack of evidence.
For these reasons, teething tablets are not recommended as a solution for bleeding gums in babies. Instead, use remedies like chilled teething rings, gum massages and cool compresses. Most importantly, see a doctor if bleeding is concerning.
Do teething powders help stop bleeding?
Teething powders are another over-the-counter product parents sometimes use, but they come with cautions. Here’s what parents should know:
– Numbing ingredients – Many contain benzocaine to temporarily numb pain, but this can pose risks to babies.
– Other ingredients – Some use homeopathic substances like chamomilla, belladonna, and calcarea phosphorica, but there’s little evidence these work.
– Bad taste – The bitterness of benzocaine and certain herbs can upset baby’s taste, causing gagging.
– Choking hazard – Babies can choke on the fine powder.
– Irritation risk – The powder could further irritate already inflamed gums.
– FDA warning – These products are not regulated or tested for safety by the FDA.
While these powders may temporarily numb pain, they won’t treat the cause of bleeding gums which is the teething process. And they may pose choking and other safety concerns. So they are not recommended as solutions. It’s best to use safer natural remedies and call your pediatrician if bleeding persists or seems abnormal.
Conclusion
It’s very common for babies’ gums to bleed a little as teeth start pushing through and putting pressure on the surrounding gum tissue. A small amount of pink in the saliva is usually normal and will resolve in a few days as long as there is no infection or deficiency. But excessive bleeding, bleeding accompanied by other symptoms, or bleeding lasting more than 5-7 days warrants medical attention. Try chilled teething rings, gentle gum massages and monitoring at home, but see your pediatrician promptly if bleeding seems abnormal or baby develops any concerning symptoms. With the proper care, minor teething bleeding should resolve quickly and your baby will soon have their new tooth!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my baby’s gums are bleeding too much from teething?
Signs that bleeding may be excessive and require medical attention include heavy flow of blood rather than just tinged saliva, worsening or spread of bleeding, bleeding for longer than 5-7 days, interfering with feeding, or bleeding along with other symptoms like fever or rash.
Do teething necklaces help stop bleeding gums?
No, teething necklaces are not recommended to treat bleeding gums. The beads pose a choking hazard, and the jewelry can irritate and infect tender gums. Chilled teething rings or wet washcloths are safer ways to soothe sore gums. See your pediatrician if bleeding is concerning.
What vitamin deficiency causes bleeding gums when teething?
Vitamin C and vitamin K deficiencies can contribute to bleeding gums since these vitamins help make gums strong and help blood clot properly. Eating vitamin C foods like citrus fruits and vitamin K foods like leafy greens can prevent deficiency.
When should I take my baby to see a pediatric dentist for teething bleeding?
You should make an appointment with a pediatric dentist if bleeding is excessive, lasts longer than 5-7 days, or continues to get worse despite home care. The dentist can fully evaluate your baby’s gums and rule out issues like infection, cysts or abnormalities that may require treatment.
What oral antiseptic is best to prevent infection of bleeding gums when teething?
Hydrogen peroxide and warm salt water are good options that can be gently swished or dabbed on the gums to prevent bacteria overgrowth without excessive irritation. Avoid harsh mouthwashes, and dilute hydrogen peroxide for babies. Seek medical advice to treat confirmed infections.
Should I give my baby ibuprofen or acetaminophen for teething gum pain and bleeding?
You can try infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen if bleeding is accompanied by significant pain and your pediatrician recommends it. This should only be short-term use, and correct dosing is crucial. Always consult your pediatrician before using any medication in babies.