Swollen Gums Around Teeth: Causes and Tips for Quick Relief
No one is immune to dental problems. Even with good at-home oral care routines, there are instances wherein dental issues can happen unnoticed. All of a sudden, you may experience swollen gums around tooth areas. Here are some causes and tips for relieving this dental problem.
Causes
Improper Dental Hygiene – Incorrect brushing or flossing is the common culprit of swollen gums because this can leave food debris behind, causing tooth decay and inflammation in the neglected area. Eventually, inadequate oral hygiene can result in gum disease. As such, you must always be on the lookout for red, pale or swollen gums each time you brush and floss.
Abscessed Tooth – This indicates an infection in or around the tooth. Often, this is the result of an untreated cavity causing bacteria to spread through the entire tooth and infect it. When left untreated, this will cost you the tooth. Signs to look out for will include swollen and red gums, a salty taste in the mouth, throbbing pain, and fever.
Gums that are pink in color and do not bleed when brushing or flossing are considered by dentists as healthy. If your gums feel swollen, are colored red, and bleed whenever you brush and floss, it is best to consult your dentist immediately since you may already have gingivitis.
Gingivitis refers to the inflammation of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. It is the initial stage of gum disease and the easiest to treat.
Causes, Signs and Symptoms
How does gingivitis develop? The development of this gum disease is typically attributed to poor dental hygiene.
The primary cause of gingivitis is plaque, a colorless biofilm of bacteria that is commonly found on one’s teeth and gums. Proper and regular brushing and flossing can remove plaque, but failure to practice good dental care habits means the bacteria remains on your teeth. This biofilm soon produces toxins which irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. During this stage, damage can still be reversed because the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected. Untreated gingivitis, however, can become periodontitis and cause permanent damage to a person