You’ve always been told that you need to brush twice and floss once a day to keep your teeth strong and beautiful. However, you can’t forget about your gums. There are a variety of reasons why people experience gum soreness and inflammation. Fortunately, if you are dealing with this issue, there are steps you can take to help. Here are some of the most common causes of inflamed, sore gums and what you can do to keep them healthy.
Causes of Sore & Swollen Gums
Here are the most common reasons behind inflamed, sore gums:
- Gingivitis: This is the most common cause of swollen gums. It occurs when plaque builds up on our gum line and teeth. Over time, it can turn to tartar, or hardened plaque, and result in gingivitis.
- Periodontitis: This happens when gingivitis is left untreated. This is a serious infection of the gum tissue that can lead to gum recession, tooth loss, and bone loss.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy causes significant changes in hormone levels. These changes can increase blood flow to the gums, making them more sensitive to swelling.
- Vigorous Brushing: If you are brushing and flossing too hard, you can damage your gums. Extra pressure doesn’t make your teeth and gums cleaner – it just leaves you with sore gums. When brushing, use soft, circular motions.
- Infection: Complications from infected teeth, like a tooth abscess, can lead to swelling near the tooth.
How Can Sore, Swollen Gums Be Addressed?
There are some at-home remedies that can be used to reduce gum inflammation and tenderness:
- Gently brush and floss to keep the area clean.
- Rinse your mouth with saltwater to disinfect the area.
- Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling.
- Stay hydrated to stimulate saliva production.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco products.
If your symptoms aren’t reduced by at-home treatments, you may need periodontal therapy. A treatment plan is catered to meet your needs. It could include medicated toothpaste and mouthwash, or you may need scaling and root planing. This is a two-step process that reduces the prevalence of harmful bacteria. Your dentist will clear the plaque from the surfaces of your teeth, as far down as the pockets of your receded gums. Then, the roots of your tooth are smoothed out to allow your gums to reattach.
Having swollen, sore gums is no fun. By taking care of your smile at home and addressing concerns you have with your dentist, you can keep the soft tissue in your mouth in healthy shape!
About the Practice
At Baltimore Dental Arts, we have a team of four experienced dentists, including a periodontist and a prosthodontist. With their combined skills and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need all under one roof. If you’re dealing with sore or swollen gums, we’d be happy to help. For more information or to schedule an appointment at our office in Baltimore, visit our website or call (410) 372-0202.