How To Fight Swollen Gums
June 30th, 2008
Swollen gums or gingival swelling are abnormally enlarged gums, bulging, or protruding. When plaque and tartar stick to the teeth under the gums, bacteria growths and produce chemicals and toxins that the body does not identify. The white blood cells producing by body as the result, get to area which results in gum inflammation. This is also known as gum inflammation or swollen gums.
Swollen Gums Causes
Swollen gums is quite common and may involve one area of the gums surrounding a tooth or the entire gums in the mouth. In addition, there are many causes of swollen gums that could be as minor as hypersensitivity to chewing gum, reactions to prescription medications or a popcorn kernel logged into the gums.
Swollen gums are usually caused by such medical conditions as gingivitis or gum disease, gums become red, swell and bleed easily with brushing or flossing due to plaque buildup. Other health conditions causing swollen gums may be virus infection, bad fitting dentures, malnutrition, high sensitivity to mouthwash or toothpaste, side effect of a drug such as Dilantin or phenobarbital, vitamin C deficiency or even pregnancy (1st or 2nd trimester).
Symptoms of Swollen Gums
Evident symptoms of swollen gums are of course, the swelling of the gums. Gum swelling usually starts in only one part of the upper or lower gums, and usually on the gum line where it meets the tooth. At first, it may feel like there is something stuck between the tooth and the gum, and inflammation usually spreads upwards first along the tooth to the jaw bone.
Swollen Gums in Infants and Children
Red, swollen gums that bleed when touched may be a symptom of developing a general infection around the nose and mouth if exposed to the herpes simplex virus (cold sores).
Though, swollen gums is normal during infants tooth eruption and the swollen part is usually firm. However, it is not normal if the swollen gum turns red or blue. In such case, parents must bring their children to see the dentist.
Fight Swollen Gums
If your swollen gums are caused by the gum disease attack, an right prevention method is to see a dentist regularly. Regular, proper oral hygiene and dental care will also eliminate gum disease and help to prevent further swelling of the gums.
Avoid gum irritants such as commercial mouthwashes, alcohol, and tobacco. For swollen gums caused by sensitivity to toothpaste or mouthwash, change the toothpaste brand and avoid using mouthwashes.
If you have severe gum swelling try to fight swollen gums with these tips:
1. Swishing with mouthwash or the very least with warm salt water to help clean and reduce swollen gums. Take Ibuprofen for pain control (it is a anti-inflammatory). If nothing else works, go to the emergency room if the pain is severe.
2. If the gum swelling is originated from teeth or gum with discharge of pus (infection) then start Amoxicilline 500 mg 3 time a day until you see a dentist and mouth rinse three time a daily with chlorhexidine mouth wash.
Though, self care at this point (when you have swollen gums) is not recommended and it is high time to visit a dentist and have the condition evaluated and steps taken to reverse it.
Swollen gums and pain around are warning signs of gum disease attack. Be cautious because signs of gum disease often appears in the advanced stages of it. The best now is seeking the help of a dentist. Improve your oral habits. Swollen gums left untreated cause tooth loss will eventually happen. In either case, it is best to receive a complete examination from your dentist or periodontist as soon as you experience swollen gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing or any other abnormal symptoms in your mouth.
You might also like these related dental health articles
- Swollen Gums, A Serious Threat To Your Teeth
- Gum Swelling - Teeth Are In Danger
- Causes and Care for Swollen Bleeding Gums
- Dental Braces Care - Keeping Healthy Teeth
- Sufferers from Rheumatoid Arthritis May Ease Pain with Dental Care
Categories: Gums
Hi, I had a bridge placed in my month (bridge: a false tooth in between two crowns attached together) a little over a year ago. Every since my gums around this bridge has been swollen. I told my dentist but he said he could not find anything wrong with the bridge. He told me to see a ears, nose and throat doctor…which I did but he could find any infection, etc in my sinuses. I floss and brush my teeth twice daily and floss the bridge also. Do you have any idea what the problem oould be? Thanks
Hi Anita, I do have the same problem.Gums around the bridge is very red and swollen ,also bleeds sometimes.
How old is ur bridge, Mine is 6 year.I hav’nt visited doctor yet ,will reply u soon i find any cause or remedy.
Take Good Care of oral hygine.
Thanks,
Mamta
Hi, I found out last week that I had swollen gums. I don’t know when it came about. Also, my gums were bleeding two or three spots. My gums were slightly red in some spots, mainly in areas where the gums were swollen. Anyway, I saw a dentist yesterday who told me performed a cleaning (scaling and all. etc.)and told me to brush my gums more and floss daily. I asked him if it was serious and he told me that it wasn’t. So, I assumed I had an early stage of gingivitis. Is that correct? Also, I still have a few queries.
- Should I be using a mouthwash? When I use Listerine, it burns in the area where the gum is swollen and had just brushed. Does that mean it is working?
- How often should I rinse my mouth with warm salt water?
- When I brush, my dentist told me to start at the top of the gums for the top teeth and bottom of the gums for the bottom teeth while holding a toothbrush at at 45 degree angle. Should I brush with soft strokes using a soft toothrbush or should I brush with firmer strokes?
Hi,i had swollen gums from past 2 years . but now they have started to pain a lot.so now i have started to rinse my mouth with warm salt water. i would recommend to stop using any mouthwash.