---
title: "What Is Bleeding on probing? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "Bleeding on probing means a gum bleeds when a dentist or hygienist gently touches the pocket with a probe, which is a sign of gum inflammation."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bleeding-on-probing
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Gum Care

# Bleeding on probing

Bleeding on probing means a gum bleeds when a dentist or hygienist gently touches the pocket with a probe, which is a sign of gum inflammation.

Healthy gums usually do not bleed when they are touched with a thin probe. Gums that are inflamed from plaque bacteria often do. A study in the NIH library says bleeding on probing is an indicator of the tissue's inflammatory response to bacterial pathogens. The hygienist notes which spots bleed as part of [periodontal charting](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/periodontal-charting). Bleeding that stops after a cleaning and better home care points to healing. Bleeding that stays can mean ongoing [gum disease](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gum-disease-periodontal-disease). Gums that bleed when you floss are also worth mentioning at your visit. Do not stop cleaning because of bleeding. See [gum inflammation](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gum-inflammation) and probing depth, or our [periodontal care](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/periodontal-care) page.

[Town Center Dental can helpPeriodontal Care](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/periodontal-care)

## Related terms

-   [Probing depth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/probing-depth)
-   [Periodontal charting](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/periodontal-charting)
-   [Gum inflammation](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gum-inflammation)
-   [Gingivitis](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gingivitis)
-   [Gum disease (periodontal disease)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gum-disease-periodontal-disease)

## Sources

1.  [NIH PubMed Central: The Relationship Between Bleeding on Probing and Subgingival Deposits. An Endoscopical Evaluation](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2724644/)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)