I'm not sure if the bleeding gums is normal because I am a new puller myself. I have had occasional bleeding gums on and off for years. I've been pulling a little more than a month almost every day but I do miss a day here and there. I pull, rinse, brush and then sometimes floss and I have NO bleeding anymore. I haven't experienced the pukey smell so don't know what that is about. I also pull with coconut oil most of the time.