A Dentist Explains What Can Cause Gums to Swell

You should immediately seek the consultation of a dentist if you notice that your gums have been swollen for more than a couple of days. It’s important to stay on top of your oral health, and your gums are no exception. If you’ve ever experienced swollen gums, then you know how painful they can be.

What are some things that can cause swollen gums?

Swollen gums are painful, and while it could be the result of minor issues, it could also be a symptom of something much more serious. Here are some of the main reasons for swollen gums.

Not caring for your teeth properly

Brushing and flossing twice a day is very important, but did you know that there’s a right way and a wrong way to brush and floss? Brushing or flossing too aggressively can cut your gums and cause them to swell up.

Oral infections can cause swollen gums

Things like fungi, viruses, and STDs can cause swollen gums if the conditions aren’t caught early enough.

Going through hormonal changes and shifts

This is mostly found to be a reason for swollen gums in women. Going through pregnancy, menstrual cycles, and menopause can cause increased blood flow to the gums, resulting in swelling and pain.

Mouth ulcers

Ulcers are extremely painful and are often thought of as occurring in other parts of the body, but they can also happen in the mouth. These types of ulcers are extremely painful and can result in swollen and bleeding gums. Canker sores are in the same category as mouth ulcers, causing pain and swelling in the gums.

Malnutrition and a deficiency in critical vitamins

Vitamin C and B are extremely important to the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums. Not getting enough of these vitamins and bad eating, in general, can lead to things like scurvy and malnutrition. These diseases can cause the gums to swell and become extremely painful, so make sure you’re getting all the vitamins that you need.

Food, burns, and other irritants

Certain kinds of foods that are acidic or spicy can cause swollen gums. Even eating something too hot temperature-wise can burn your gums and lead to swelling. Other irritants like using a toothpaste that you’re allergic to or using a mouthwash that you have a reaction to can also cause swollen gums.

What can I do to treat my swollen gums?

Luckily, there are both self-help treatments to treat swollen gums, as well as medical professionals to help you recover from them. If you have swollen gums, make sure that you start taking vitamin B and C supplements and keep from eating overly hot or acidic foods. Doing these things will at least keep the problem from getting worse.