Do you also have swollen gums? (Swollen Gums) - Let's talk about causes and remedies!

Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed that your gums are swollen and red? Maybe you've had a few bleeds while brushing your teeth, or maybe they just feel a little sore. What exactly is this swollen gums? Why does it happen? Is it something to worry about? Let's find out all about it today.

What does swollen gums look like?

When you look at swollen gums, they usually look a little reddish-purple . This is because there is increased blood flow. The gums may also be a little soft and shiny. It is normal for them to bleed when they are swollen like this. Some people just have swollen gums and no pain. But for others, they are very painful.

What are the main causes of swollen gums?

There are actually many reasons why gums can swell. Some of them are caused by problems in our mouth. Others can be caused by other diseases in our body. Let's see what they are.

Dental Causes

These are the main reasons why gums often swell.

• Something stuck between the gums: Imagine if you eat popcorn and something like a piece of popcorn, or a fish shell, or a small piece of food we eat gets stuck between the gums, that area can swell. It's like a small wound.
• Dental Abscess: This is a serious condition. It is caused by an infection at the root of a tooth, causing the gums around the tooth to become very swollen and painful.
• Gingivitis - Early stage of gum disease: This is the first stage of gum disease that many people develop. When we don't brush our teeth properly, food gets stuck between our teeth, and bacteria accumulates, forming a layer called dental plaque on the surface of our teeth. This causes the gums to become red, swollen, and start to bleed.
• Periodontitis - A severe form of gum disease: If the previously mentioned Gingivitis is not treated properly, it gradually worsens and becomes Periodontitis. This is where the gums pull away from the teeth, exposing the roots of the teeth, and eventually the teeth begin to loosen.
• Trench mouth - a very serious form of gum disease: This is a very painful, severe infection. The gums become sore and have a bad odor. This is not common, but it is a condition to be very careful about.
• Gingivostomatitis - a viral or bacterial infection of the mouth: This can cause sores and swelling throughout the mouth, including the gums and lips. It is more common in young children.
• Ill-fitting dentures: Sometimes, if the dentures don't fit properly in the mouth, they can become hard on the gums, causing soreness and swelling.
• Orthodontic treatment such as braces: It is normal for your gums to be slightly swollen and sore for the first few days after braces are placed. This is because the braces put a little pressure on your gums. However, this can be avoided if you keep your mouth clean.
• Tooth decay: When a tooth decays and becomes infected, the gums around the tooth can become swollen.
• Infected tooth: If a tooth becomes infected due to a cavity, fracture, or other cause, it is normal for the gums around it to swell.
• Root fracture: If the root of a tooth is fractured, such as in an accident, the gums may swell at that location.
• Something unidentified stuck under the gum: Sometimes, if there is a little bit of dental cement left over from a filling, or if something else gets stuck under the gum, it can also cause swelling.

Other Health Causes

In addition to dental problems, other health conditions in our body can also cause swollen gums.

• Medication side effects: Some medications you take for high blood pressure, epilepsy, or other conditions can cause swollen gums as a side effect.
• Viral infections such as oral herpes or HIV: These types of viral infections can also cause swelling and sores in the gums.
• Fungal infections such as Candida (`Thrush`): This causes white, flaky patches to form in the mouth, and the gums may also swell.
• Vitamin B deficiency: A deficiency in B vitamins, especially folic acid and niacin, can cause swollen and sore gums.
• Vitamin C deficiency or scurvy (severe vitamin C deficiency): Vitamin C is essential for healthy gums. When it is low, the gums become swollen and start bleeding. When this becomes severe, it can lead to a condition called scurvy.
• Unmanaged diabetes mellitus: If diabetes is not properly controlled, the body's ability to fight infections decreases, making it more likely to develop gum disease.
• Smoking or using other tobacco products: People who smoke are at a much higher risk of developing gum disease and are less likely to respond to treatment.
• Hormonal changes: As the body's hormone levels change, especially during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, the gums can become more sensitive and swollen. This is also called `pregnancy gingivitis`.
• Blood cancers such as leukemia: This is a very rare cause. However, swollen gums can be a symptom of some types of blood cancer.

How do doctors treat swollen gums?

The treatment for swollen gums depends on the cause. If you have gum disease, a dentist or a periodontist will prescribe the appropriate treatment for you.

Some common dental treatments:

• Antibiotics: If there is an infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to control it.
• Brush your teeth properly and use dental floss to clean between your teeth: This is the most basic and important thing. It is essential to brush and floss your teeth properly at least twice a day.
• Tooth scaling and root planing: Also called deep dental cleaning, this involves removing plaque and tartar from the teeth and under the gums.
• Osseous surgery: If gum disease is severe, this surgery may be performed to reduce the gum pockets (gaps) that have formed around the teeth.
• LANAP® (Laser-assisted new attachment procedure): This is a laser treatment for gum disease.

Important: If you have swelling around just one tooth, it could be a dental abscess. In that case, your doctor may recommend root canal therapy or tooth extraction.

If your doctor thinks your swollen gums are due to something other than gum disease, he or she may run some tests to find the cause. For example, they may check if you have an infection, diabetes, or a vitamin deficiency. Once the cause is found, the right treatment can be started.

What remedies can be done at home?

If your gums have been swollen for more than two weeks, you should definitely see a dentist. However, in the meantime, there are a few things you can do at home to help ease the discomfort:

• Brush your teeth thoroughly and floss daily. This can help prevent further gum infection.
• Rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water several times a day. This will reduce swelling and pain a little.
• Apply an ice pack to the affected area. This can help reduce swelling and inflammation. (Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then remove it. Do not place it directly on the skin, wrap it in a cloth.)

Will swollen gums heal completely?

Yes, absolutely! Gum disease can be cured if treated properly. Sometimes, for example, if it's something small like a piece of food stuck in your mouth, the swelling will go down on its own once you remove it. However, if the swelling is due to gum disease, you definitely need to get treatment. The sooner you start treatment, the better (and the sooner you start treatment, the better for your oral health in the long run).

If the gums are swollen due to another cause (e.g., vitamin deficiency, diabetes), treating that underlying cause will also help the swollen gums heal.

When should I see a doctor?

If your gums are swollen for more than two weeks, you should definitely see a dentist or a periodontist. Whatever the cause, starting treatment early can help prevent the problem from getting worse.

Emergency: If you have unbearable pain that does not subside even after taking painkillers, seek immediate dental advice.

Questions to ask your doctor

If you have swollen and painful gums, you can ask these questions when you see your doctor:

• "Doctor/Miss, why are my gums so swollen?"
• "Do I have gum disease?"
• "Is this swelling of my gums due to some medication I'm taking?"
• "Do I need to make any changes to my lifestyle for this situation?"
• "Do I need to see a periodontist?"
• "What treatment options do I have?"
• "Is there any suspicion of any other underlying health condition (e.g. diabetes)?"

Why are my gums swollen only around one of my teeth?

If you have swollen gums around just one tooth, it may not be as serious as you think. As mentioned above, it could be a piece of food stuck in the gum. In such cases, brushing and flossing your teeth thoroughly will help to remove the swelling.

However, sometimes swelling around a tooth can be caused by a dental abscess. There are two types of dental abscesses:

• Periapical abscess: This is when the infection spreads to the pulp of the tooth (the part of the tooth that contains the nerves and blood vessels), and from there to the root of the tooth and the surrounding bone. In some people, this can cause significant swelling of the jaw area.
• Periodontal abscess: This is a collection of pus around a tooth. It can look like a red ball of pus pushing up from the gums. This type of abscess forms when the tissue and bone that support the tooth dissolves due to gum disease.

Both types of abscesses can occur around a single tooth. However, if left untreated, the infection can spread not only to other teeth, but also to our bloodstream, becoming life-threatening. So if you see something like this, see a doctor immediately.

Is it normal for your gums to swell when you have braces on your teeth?

Yes, it is a bit difficult to clean your gums properly when you have braces. There is a greater chance of dental plaque accumulating around the braces. This can cause your gums to become red, swollen, and bleed.

To prevent this, you need to brush and floss your teeth diligently every day. You can ask your dentist about special tools like dental picks, floss threaders, and interproximal brushes. You can use them to clean between the teeth.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

It's normal to feel a little nervous when you look in the mirror and see swollen gums. But remember, swollen gums are a warning sign that something is not right in your body. Gum disease is the most common cause. However, it can also be caused by other health conditions, such as diabetes, hormonal changes, and vitamin deficiencies.

So, if your gums have been swollen for more than two weeks, definitely see a doctor to find out the cause and get the right treatment. Then you can have a healthy, beautiful smile!

` Gum disease, gum disease, dental health, gingivitis, periodontitis, tooth decay, oral health