While teeth can certainly have many problems, they aren’t the only parts of one’s smile that might do so. Someone’s gum tissue could also develop issues, thus requiring committed help. Indeed, you might suffer from sore and inflamed gums that distract you from daily life. There’s no need to panic over this latter dilemma, though; your New Bedford dentist will gladly resolve it. Just keep reading to learn the potential causes of gum irritation and inflammation, as well as some dentist-backed solutions.
What Makes Gums Sore & Inflamed?
Gums can become sore, inflamed, or both for various reasons. Among such factors, the most common ones include:
Gum Disease
As it turns out, inflamed gums are a common sign of gingivitis – the first form of gum disease. Gum tissues will often become pained and irritated as harmful plaque gathers on top of them. Over time, that pain and irritation can make your gums turn a darker color as well.
If gingivitis is upsetting your gums, you should see a dentist as soon as possible for treatment. You’ll otherwise give your infection a chance to become periodontitis – an advanced type of gum disease. Should that happen, your smile will ache a lot more in the long run.
Changes in Hormones
Hormones do affect your energy levels, mood, and such, but they also affect your oral issues. It’s to the point that hormonal changes can upset your gums.
You see, hormonal changes can increase blood flow to the gums. This rising flow tends to make the areas around your teeth swollen and sensitive. Adding insult to injury, the hormone imbalance also harms your ability to fight harmful bacteria.
Forceful Brushing
Whatever you’ve heard, overly forceful brushing won’t help your smile. This practice can easily irritate one’s gum tissues and make them feel sore.
A person’s gums can (and usually do) react to external force. As such, they can become irritated and sore when you “overbrush” your smile in an effort to stay clean. That much is natural when the pink tissues around your teeth have nerve endings.
How Can You Fix Sore Gums?
To fix (or even prevent) sore gums, please do the following:
- Change Your Oral Tools – Instead of strong mouthwashes that upset gums, use toothpaste for sensitive or inflamed gum tissue.
- Use Home Remedies – When at home, soothe your gums with a warm compress or washcloth. Another idea is to rinse your mouth with salt water, thus removing harmful bacteria.
- See Your Dentist – Through twice-yearly dental checkups, a dentist can check your mouth and confirm the cause of your inflamed gums. They’ll then provide the ideal treatment.
Rather than live with sore and inflamed gums, get the help you need. Your smile will be better off that way!
About the Practice
Clear Coast Dental is based in New Bedford, MA. Led by Drs. Akbar, Herr, and Luccio, our practice has been giving patients fantastic grins for a few decades now. We’re thus highly skilled and experienced in several dental services, especially preventive and restorative services. Our team is also versed in several gum disease treatment options, including scaling and root planing. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (508)-812-9294.
