What do you need to know about the gum swelling and pain you are experiencing? Do you need to worry about this? Let’s take a look at the underlying factors of your swollen and painful gums. In any case, if this symptom continues, it is necessary to make immediate dental care. Check here why it is important. You can go to Toothsome’s Periodontic clinic in Sydney if you experience these symptoms.
Gum Health: What to Know?
The gums are made of firm, pink tissue that protects your jawbone. They are very significant to your oral health. Also, the tissue of your gums has thick, fibrous, and full of blood vessels.
Swollen and painful gums are the common symptoms that your gum health is in trouble. Once you experience this, your gums may bulge or stick out. Gum swelling and pain generally starts where the gum meets the tooth. Your gums may turn out to be so swollen that they begin to hide portions of your teeth. So instead of their standard pink color, swollen and painful gums appear to be red.
Gum swelling and pain is an irritating issue that occurs for various reasons. You may likewise see that your gums bleed more easily when brushing or flossing your teeth. In any case, this issue might indicate a more severe oral health problem such as gum disease.
What Causes Swollen and Painful Gums?
There are many underlying reasons why your gums become painful and swollen. Common causes include:
Poor Dental Hygiene
Commonly, some food particles become trapped between the tooth and the gumline. Generally, brushing and flossing get rid of these remains.
If you do not eliminate the debris, it can cause gum swelling and pain. Over time, this may bring about tooth decay and gum disease.
Gum Disease
The medical term for gum disease is periodontal disease. Gum disease is common among older people, though children can still develop this condition.
Gum disease occurs because of infection and inflammation of the gums that help and surround the teeth. These infections happen when an individual has a collection of plaque. Plaque solidifies to form tartar, or calculus, which is harder to eliminate.
There are two forms of gum disease:
Gingivitis
It is the most common reason for swollen gums. Many individuals do not realize they have gingivitis since the indications can be pretty mild. Nonetheless, if left untreated, gingivitis can eventually prompt a significantly more progressive condition called periodontitis.
Gingivitis can result in gum swelling and pain. Other indications include:
- bleeding gums
- bad breath
- gum redness and tenderness
- This early form of gum disease is reversible, but without treatment, it can progress to periodontitis.
Periodontitis
This later stage of gum disease can cause the gums to recede or pull away from the tooth. Once this occurs, an infection can harm the bone that upholds the tooth, making the tooth loosen or even drop out.
In addition to those of gingivitis, an individual with periodontitis will encounter the following signs and symptoms:
- teeth that seem longer because of gum recession
- pus between the gums and teeth
- teeth that show up further apart
- a change in how the teeth fit together when biting
- teeth that are wobbly or loose
- a change in the fit of partial dentures
Pregnancy
Painful and swollen gums can likewise happen during pregnancy. The surge of hormones your body produces during pregnancy may build the bloodstream in your gums. This increment in blood circulation can make your gums more easily bothered, prompting swelling and pain.
These hormonal fluctuations can also hamper your body’s capacity to ward off bacteria that regularly cause gum infections. This condition can expand your opportunity of having gingivitis.
Dental Abscess
A tooth or dental abscess is a buildup of pus that forms within a tooth or its encompassing structures because of a bacterial infection.
There are two forms of tooth abscess:
- Periapical abscesses frequently happen because of tooth fractures or decay, and they influence the root of a tooth.
- Periodontal abscesses are a pocket of pus influencing the gum.
Both forms may result in gum swelling and pain around a tooth. MyDentistWestRyde clinic warns that abscess is crucial to be addressed quickly.
Other manifestations of a dental abscess include:
- facial redness and swelling
- extreme throbbing pain in the gum or tooth
- pain that is awful when lying down
- pain that transmits to the jaw, ear, or neck
- bad breath
- an unpleasant taste in the mouth
- a tender, stained, or free tooth
- sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks
In case the tooth abscess is severe, an individual may also encounter:
- a fever
- trouble opening the mouth
- an overall sensation of being unwell
- difficulty swallowing
- breathing problem
Malnutrition
Another reason for gum swelling and pain is insufficient nutrients, particularly vitamins B and C. For example, vitamin C is essential in the upkeep and repair of your teeth and gums. If this vitamin drops excessively low, you could develop scurvy, leading to anemia and gum disease.
Mostly, malnutrition is rare in developed countries. However, it is frequently seen in older adults.
How to Prevent Gum Swelling and Pain?
The best approach to prevent an issue with your gums is to practice proper oral hygiene by:
- brushing your teeth two times a day
- flossing your teeth and gums each day
- getting a dental checkup once or twice each year
- going to your dentist if experiencing tooth pain or swollen gums
- stay away from added sugar to prevent plaque buildup
- avoiding tobacco products
When to See A Dentist
It is still necessary to arrange a dental checkup at least once a year, even if you do not have any tooth or gum problems.
Dental checkups let the dentist notice any issues and treat them in the early phases before becoming more extreme.
You should visit a dentist urgently once you experience any of the following symptoms:
- mouth spots or sores that last more than a week
- swollen or bleeding gums
- jaw pain or an irregular bite
- trouble swallowing or chewing
- swelling and pain in the face, mouth, or neck
Gum swelling and pain can also indicate other oral issues like a dental abscess, gingivitis and periodontitis. If you have no other side effects other than this, try being a tenderer when you are brushing or flossing your teeth and gums.
