There's a pretty standard process when you're bleeding somewhere on your body. You might need to clean the affected site, and depending on the severity of the matter, apply a band aid. You then wait for the wound to scab and for the healing process to essentially take care of itself. This can be even be true when you find yourself bleeding in your mouth. If you should inadvertently cut your gums while brushing or flossing, your body should eventually heal itself (though a traditional scab is unlikely to form). But what about when you're bleeding profusely in your mouth, or the blood has appeared as the result of trauma to a tooth? Perhaps the tooth has broken off due to injury, or perhaps it has degraded and broken off as a result of periodontal disease. This is obviously a situation where the body cannot heal itself. While you'll need to visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible, you can take steps to stop this type of bleeding and to make yourself more comfortable.

Hygiene

Wash your hands thoroughly. While you shouldn't directly touch the affected site in your mouth, you will still need to place your fingers inside your mouth, and you'll want to minimise the chances of introducing additional bacteria.

Cleaning

If you wish to clean your mouth to remove the blood, simply rinse and spit. Do not clean your teeth in the traditional sense, as toothpaste and the motion of your brush can irritate the affected site and cause additional bleeding. A gentle salt water mouth rinse is the best choice. Now, whether it's a cut gum or a broken tooth, how can you slow that bleeding?

Gauze

Medicated gauze can be placed on top of the site. It's sterile, will absorb blood, and should be wadded so that it's thick enough to be held in place between your gum and your teeth. You can lightly bite down on it to help secure it too. This might not be all that comfortable, but it will slow the bleeding while you can make the necessary arrangements to see an emergency dentist.

Tea Bags

No gauze? No problem. Use a tea bag in its place. Soak it in warm water and apply it to the affected area of your gums. Bite down gently to keep it into place. The mild astringent taste in tea is caused by its natural tannins, and these can assist in clotting. The physical absorbency of the tea bag can also soak up excess blood during the healing process.

Chewing Gum

If the bleeding is around a partially broken tooth that has remaining jagged edges at the point of breakage, exercise caution. These edges can be surprisingly sharp, and you run the risk of cutting your tongue or the inside of your teeth. Apply a piece of sugarless gum to the jagged edge to act as a protective barrier.

Remember that these measures are temporary only, designed to help to slow bleeding and make you comfortable. A broken tooth or profuse bleeding in your mouth will still require emergency dental treatment as soon as possible.