Swollen Gums :

Have you ever noticed your gums looking puffy or tender ?

But swollen gums are more common than you might think and can be an early warning sign for gingivitis and other gum diseases.

Being aware of the causes for your inflamed gums, helps you seek medical intervention at the earliest as possible .

How to identify gum swelling?

There are some telltale signs that you should look out for :

1. Healthy gums are normally coral pink in color, while you may have red or purple gums in case of gingival swelling.

2. The sponginess of your gums gives you another sign. Look at your mirror and if you see puffy and spongy gums- it means your gums are swollen .

3. You may bleed on provocation , even with brushing and flossing.

4. You may experience tenderness or soreness even on slightly pressing your gums.
   

If you spot any of these symptoms,it may be time to revamp your oral hygiene routine and have an appointment with your dentist.

Related : Bleeding gums - Causes and Treatment

Causes of swollen gums :

Gum swelling can arise from a variety of reasons. The most common cause is gingivitis- which is the inflammation of gums produced by buildup of plaque ( food debris with bacteria ) along the gum line.

There are also other reasons like hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies and medications .

Possible causes of swollen gums

• Poor oral hygiene : This is one of the most common causes of gum swelling. The bacteria in your mouth and the food you eat combine to form a white sticky film called plaque which adheres to your teeth. If this film is not removed by proper brushing and flossing, it irritates the gums and causes swelling.

• Food stuck between your teeth can irritate your gums to cause temporary swelling.

• Infections like viral infections ( Herpes ) and bacterial infections caused by an abscessed tooth and fungal infections like thrush can all cause swollen gums .

• Incase of Periodontitis - which is a progression of gingivitis causes severe gingival swelling along with loose tooth.

• Hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy, puberty and menopause can make gums more sensitive and prone to swelling.

• Certain tooth problems like tooth decay, root fracture and infected tooth can in turn irritate your gums.

• Lack of vitamins, particularly with Vitamin C leads to a condition called Scurvy- that causes your gums to swell and bleed .

• Improper oral hygiene during braces treatment , irritation from ill-fitting dentures and braces can lead to swollen gums.

• Gum damage caused by chronic smoking and usage of tobacco products in mouth.

  Related : Oral Thrush in Adults

How do you treat swollen gums ?

Treatments for gum swelling :

It is possible to relieve swollen gums caused by gum disease by a combination of professional treatment and at home care.

• Professional dental scaling and root planing where your dentist removes complete tartar deep below the gum line

• Antibiotics are prescribed in case of infection either in the form of mouth rinses,gels or tablets

• In more severe cases of gum disease, surgical intervention like flap surgery is done to remove tartar and reshape the gingiva .

• Laser assisted treatments to reduce bacteria in the periodontal pockets.

Appropriate treatment is provided by your dentist for gum swelling caused by other factors after identifying the cause . You may be recommended with other diagnostic tests to rule out any underlying medical condition .

Swollen gums remedies at home :

1. Proper brushing technique and flossing daily helps to remove plaque and reduces swollen gums

2. Antiseptic mouth rinses can soothe the inflamed gums and reduce bacterial load.

3. Rinsing with warm saltwater 2-3 times a day can help with swollen gums.

4. Applying cold compress to the outside of your cheek can provide temporary relief from tender gums.

5. Quit smoking which is a significant risk factor for gum disease.

How long do swollen gums last ?

The duration of your symptoms depends upon the severity of your disease. But swollen gums go away with proper treatment.

If gingivitis or periodontitis is the cause of your gum swelling, then multiple dental visits may be necessary to get a complete cure.

Like in any other disease, early intervention stops the inflamed gums from getting worse.

Commonly Asked Questions :

Does saltwater help gums ?

Yes, saltwater rinse 2-3 times a day acts as a natural antiseptic and helps to soothe the inflamed gums.

Why are my gums swollen around one tooth at the back ?

Gum swelling around one tooth at the back may be due to inflamed gums from erupting wisdom teeth( Pericoronitis ). Wisdom teeth are third molars that erupt later around 20 years which usually becomes impacted because of lack of space in the jaw.

Generally, gums swollen around one tooth can be due to periapical abscess or periodontal abscess.

Related : Dental Abscess