Don't leave everything to chance; keep yourself protected with an insurance
Swollen gums result from excess fluid in the soft tissue of the gums and may accompany by redness, pain, sores, ulcers, and bleeding. Poor oral hygiene, leading to inflammation or infection, is the most common cause of swollen gums. If gum pain is present, it can be described as a sharp, dull, stabbing, burning, or stabbing pain, ranging in intensity from mild to severe.
Depending on the cause, swollen gums may be present only in a small area of gum (sore or ulcer), or in the gums (gingivitis and periodontitis).
Swollen gums tend to be a sign of an underlying issue, such as gum disease or infection.
There are many effective home remedies for swollen gums, and basic oral hygiene may help prevent the issue.
Anyone experiencing swollen gums should see a dentist for a full diagnosis and treatment.
Numerous issues can lead to swollen gums. Most of them relate to oral health or complications from oral health issues.
Food particles stuck in the teeth
The cause of swollen gums may be simple, such as getting food particles stuck in the teeth.
For instance, eating popcorn may cause hard pieces of the kernel to become stuck between the teeth, sometimes lodging in the gums. This can easily cause irritation and swelling in the area.
Most of the time, these symptoms do not last long and will go away once the person brushes and flosses out the food particles.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a stage of gum disease that causes swelling and irritation in the gums. It is one of the most common conditions to cause swollen gums and will likely be what a dentist checks for first.
A person may not know they have gingivitis and only feel mild pain or sensitivity. However, treatment is very important.
Without treatment, gingivitis may develop into a serious infection in the gums, called periodontitis or periodontal disease.
A few other symptoms to look out for that may indicate periodontal disease include:
Pregnancy
Swollen gums may also occur when a person is pregnant, even if they have perfect oral health.
Pregnancy causes significant and rapid changes in hormones. These changing hormones may greatly increase blood flow to the gums, causing them to be more sensitive to swelling.
Infections
Infections may occur in the mouth and lead to issues such as swelling in the gums.
For instance, chronic infections such as herpes may lead to complications that cause swollen gums. Also, oral thrush which is a yeast infection in the mouth can cause symptoms including swelling.
Complications from infected teeth, such as an abscess, may also lead to swelling, particularly in one area of the gums.
Taking steps to treat swollen gums is a key part of any dental treatment.
These measures may help prevent swelling or ease the symptom:
It is important to note that these tips are only supplements to a proper diagnosis and treatment. Swollen or irritated gums typically signal an underlying issue. Ignoring these symptoms may make the issue worse in the long term.
Medical treatment for swollen gums begins with seeing a dentist.
Seeing a dentist for regular check-ups and cleaning may help identify and prevent oral health issues before they cause problems.
The type of medication or treatment the dentist recommends will depend on the underlying cause.
Medical treatments for oral issues may include:
Our dentists continually attend further education and stay on top of current research to bring the best evidence based treatments and the latest techniques.
We use the latest treatment techniques, procedures & dental materials that enable us to deliver a wide range of options to suit your needs.
Also, we use a wide variety of cosmetic dentistry options and treatments to transform your regular smile into a million-dollar one. We offer all your treatments in the same place, whichever specialist you may need to see, you will find them available here.
© 2021 Right Choice Insurance Designed by Amplispot
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
Get Quality and Affordable Insurance
