Our gums are an important part of our oral health. They are made of firm, pink tissue that covers your jawbone. Swelling usually starts where the gum meets the tooth. If they are swollen and inflamed, it can lead to genuine discomfort.
Since one of the main causes of gum swelling is gingivitis or gum disease, we’d like to raise awareness about signs of gum disease, how to reduce gum swelling and to encourage patients to take care of their oral health. A global effort to raise awareness of gum disease led to designating February as “Gum Disease Awareness Month”. We want everyone to try and make lifelong improvements to their oral health and overall well-being.
There are several things you can do to ease gum swelling and pain. Read ahead and find out what causes gum swelling and different ways for pain relief.
What causes gums to swell?
There may be a few reasons why your gums swell. For instance, if you’ve started taking medications recently, they may cause your gums to be swollen as a side effect. It’s important that you inform your doctor about this and consider any alternative medication. Also, if you’ve changed toothpaste or mouthwash then you may be having a reaction to certain ingredients. Another reason of gum swelling may be vitamin C deficiency. So, think about eating more fruit and vegetables. However, the most common cause of gum swelling is gingivitis. It’s crucial that you talk to your dentist about your gum disease symptoms to have a complete diagnosis.
Pain relief
If your gums are swollen, there are several things you do to reduce the swelling. But, there are also things you shouldn’t try. Here are a few dos and don’ts:
Our most important advice is daily brushing and flossing because that’s how you remove plaque and keep the entire mouth healthy. If gingivitis caused your gum swelling then good oral hygiene is what you need. Furthermore, the intake of vitamins and minerals and avoiding coffee and sodas is crucial and rinsing mouth with salt water solution can relieve your pain of inflamed gums. However, your dentist is the one who will help you and determine the real reason of the swelling and provide the solution to improve your dental health.
Don’t use toothpaste and mouthwash that cause irritation of your gums. Don’t consume tobacco and alcohol and don’t ignore the swelling because you want to ensure it’s not a symptom of something serious.
If you notice a swollen gum around your tooth, it’s a sign that you should visit the North Pointe Dental Associates’ team of experts who can help you by giving you the best advice on how to preserve your oral health. Be sure to follow your dentist’s treatment recommendations. You don’t need to live with inflamed gums because there are a number of ways to treat the issue. Call us today at (813) 961-1727. Your gums and teeth will thank you!
