Bleeding that won't stop — what to do

What to do right now

1. Sit upright and stay as calm as you can. Spit gently as little as possible. Spitting, rinsing hard, or poking the area can restart bleeding.
2. Fold clean gauze or a clean damp cloth, place it over the bleeding area, and bite down with steady pressure for 20 to 30 minutes without checking every minute.
3. If you do not have gauze, use a clean cloth. Keep firm pressure in one place. Replace it only if it becomes soaked.
4. Put a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in cloth on the outside of your cheek for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
5. Do not smoke, drink through a straw, swish hard, or do heavy activity right now. Those can make bleeding worse.
6. If a tooth was just pulled, keep your head raised and follow the dentist's after-care instructions if you have them.
7. For pain, you can use over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the label, unless a doctor or dentist has told you not to take it.
8. If bleeding is heavy, will not slow after firm pressure, or you feel weak or faint, get urgent help now. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or uncontrolled bleeding, call 911 or go to the ER.

When this is an emergency

Some mouth bleeding can wait a little while if it is light and stops with pressure. Bleeding that keeps going is different. It needs attention from a licensed dentist, and sometimes a doctor or the ER.

Get urgent dental care today if bleeding continues after 20 to 30 minutes of steady pressure, starts again over and over, or follows a broken tooth, knocked-out tooth, injury, or dental procedure.

Call 911 or go to the ER now for true emergencies: trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or uncontrolled bleeding. Also seek immediate care if you feel faint, cannot keep pressure on the area, or the bleeding is from a major injury.

SteadyTooth is not a dentist or medical provider. We share general information only. A licensed dentist needs to examine the cause.

What may be causing it

Bleeding from the mouth can happen after a tooth is pulled, after dental work, from a cut on the gums, from a broken tooth, or after being hit in the mouth. Sometimes inflamed gums bleed easily too.

What matters most tonight is not naming the cause yourself. What matters is slowing the bleeding and getting checked if it does not stop.

If you also have severe tooth pain, a loose or knocked-out tooth, facial swelling, or signs of infection, see a dentist as soon as possible. You can also browse other urgent dental emergency symptoms if you are not sure what fits best.

How to find urgent dental care

If the bleeding is not a 911-level emergency, the next step is to find a licensed dentist who can see urgent cases. A same-day or after-hours office may be able to help, depending on where you are and who is available.

SteadyTooth is a free service for people in the United States, especially if English is not your first language. We can help you look for a same-day emergency dentist near you.

If you want help, use get matched. Share contact details only — no medical information needed. We only ask for things like your name, phone, city or ZIP, how soon you want care, and preferred language.

We cannot promise a specific dentist, price, or wait time. Dental coverage and rules can also vary by state.

What it may cost

The cost depends on what is causing the bleeding, what treatment is needed, the dentist, and your city. An urgent exam may cost less than treatment for a broken tooth, stitches, or other injury care.

If the bleeding happened after a recent procedure, contact that dental office if you can. If you need a different urgent dentist, ask about the exam fee and likely cost range before you go.

You can read more on our costs page. It is always free for you to use SteadyTooth to look for help.

While you wait to be seen

Keep steady pressure on the area if it is still oozing. Rest with your head elevated. Use a cold compress on the cheek.

Avoid hot drinks, alcohol, smoking, straws, hard rinsing, and exercise until a dentist tells you it is safe. Try not to touch the area with your fingers or tongue.

If the bleeding gets heavier instead of lighter, or you develop trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or uncontrolled bleeding, call 911 or go to the ER.