Swollen gums can be an uncomfortable experience, but they can also be a sign of a more serious underlying issue. If your gums are swollen, it’s essential to determine the cause so you can seek treatment and prevent further damage. So let’s dive into the five reasons for swollen gums so you can get back to feeling healthy and normal.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is one of the most common reasons for swollen gums. This condition is caused by plaque build-up on the teeth or along the gum line. Plaque is a sticky film made up of bacteria, saliva, and food particles that builds up over time on teeth surfaces if not removed through brushing or flossing regularly. When plaque isn’t removed, it irritates the gums and causes them to become swollen.
The worst part about gingivitis is that it can turn into periodontitis later. This disease causes the gums to recede, and the bones holding teeth in place break down. This can then become oral cancer if it’s not taken care of. Thankfully, there are ways to deal with it. Here are ways to do it.
Implants
Gaps within your teeth can be strange, but they can also compromise oral health. When you have gaps in between your teeth allows plaque to build-up easily and cause swollen gums and even gingivitis. A robust dental implant can cover those gaps and reduce plaque build-up. It’s made of a more robust material than natural teeth and is easy to clean. In addition, the implant integrates into the jawbone, so it feels like a natural tooth, helping with appearance and functionality.
Tooth Cleaning Products
While brushing and flossing are great for removing plaque, the wrong tooth-cleaning products can make it worse. If you’re not careful about what kind of paste, brush, or mouthwash, it can irritate your gums further, causing them to swell up. Make sure to use products that are safe for your teeth.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor dental hygiene habits, such as not brushing twice a day or skipping out on flossing, can lead to gum swelling due to the build-up of bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria can cause inflammation and can even lead to an infection if left untreated for too long. You can help prevent swelling and keep your gums healthy by improving your dental hygiene habits.
Tobacco Use
Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco has been linked to gum disease and other oral health issues, including swollen gums. Tobacco use increases your risk of developing periodontal disease—a severe form of gum disease—characterized by redness, pain, bleeding and swelling in the gums around the teeth. Quitting smoking can be pretty challenging. Here are some ways to do it.
Nicotine Replacement Products
No products can help you quit smoking and reduce withdrawal symptoms without increasing your risk of oral health issues. These products, such as gum or patches, deliver small amounts of nicotine to the body, helping curb cravings and reduce tobacco withdrawal symptoms. Using a product like this can help you overcome tobacco addiction, so you don’t have to worry about swollen gums caused by tobacco use.
Counseling
People who struggle with smoking tend to be more susceptible to stress and emotional issues, which can lead them to smoke more heavily. If you want a permanent solution that doesn’t rely on nicotine replacement products for long-term success, consider counseling or seeking treatment for your mental health conditions.
Hormonal Changes
Women may experience swollen gums during certain times in their menstrual cycle or pregnancy due to increased hormones like estrogen and progesterone circulating through their bodies. These hormones make gum tissue more sensitive and prone to swelling when exposed to irritants like plaque or tartar build-up on teeth surfaces.
You can handle hormonal changes by speaking to your doctor or gynecologist about methods for controlling these fluctuations. You may also want to focus on improving your dental hygiene habits, as this can help reduce swollen gums caused by hormonal changes.
Medication Side Effects
Certain medications used for treating high blood pressure or depression have been linked with an increase in gum sensitivity which can result in swelling, redness, tenderness, pain, and bleeding from the gums when brushing or flossing; if you notice any of these symptoms while taking a medication prescribed by your doctor, talk with them about switching medications as soon as possible before any further damage occurs in your mouth.
Swollen gums are a common problem and can have many different underlying causes. To prevent swollen gums from occurring or worsening, practicing good dental hygiene habits and avoiding known triggers, such as tobacco use, is essential. If you are struggling with swollen gums, talk to your doctor or dentist about treatment options that may help manage your symptoms.
