Gums or gingiva are very important in your dental health. Inflamed gums, sore gums, bleeding gums or swollen gums may indicate an underlying problem.
You may be having a gum disease or infection that may cause discomfort or serious problem to your dental health.
Gum disease may cause your gums to bleed, become sore, get swollen or even change color.
There are several factors that can cause your gums to become inflamed. Below is a list:
Causes of Inflamed Gums.
- Gum Diseases.
- Vigorous brushing of your teeth.
- Gums Flossing
- The rise in hormones during puberty
Gum Diseases.
Gum diseases are the major cause of inflamed gums. More than half of the Americans who have inflamed gums are caused by gum diseases.
Some of the common diseases that make gums to swell and get inflamed includes:
- Gingivitis
- Periodontitis
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a common gum disease that makes your gums to be painful, swollen, sore and red in color.
It is caused by bacteria that forms when you don’t practice good oral hygiene.
Gingivitis is a very serious disease when left untreated, it may worsen and lead to tooth loss.
However, when discovered earlier, it can be treated and your condition reversed.
Periodontitis
When gingivitis remains untreated, it advances to a condition called periodontitis.
This is a condition where your gums and bone holding your tooth becomes weak.
This exposes your jawbone and gums to more infection making your gums to bleed.
Vigorous brushing of your teeth.
Brushing your teeth is one great practice in oral hygiene. This not only protects you from getting inflamed gums but also from infection and bad breath.
Gums are made of delicate and soft tissue. As much as you want to make your teeth clean, brushing them vigorous can damage them making them inflamed.
Gums Flossing
Flossing removes plaque and food particles where your brush does not reach. Leaving plaque may lead to the formation of bacteria that can lead to tooth decay.
However, when you floss your teeth wrongly you may injure your gums making them inflamed. Always floss carefully around your teeth not to affect them.
The rise in hormones during puberty
Hormonal changes more so to children at puberty age is also a common cause of inflamed gums.
Hormones heighten blood flow to the gums making them red swollen and inflamed.
This among others are the common causes of inflamed gums below is how to know your gums are inflamed.
Symptoms of inflamed gums.
- Bleeding
- sensitive teeth
- Pain
- Red gums
- swollen gums
Treatment and prevention of inflamed gums
Good oral hygiene can help prevent inflamed gums. By brushing and flossing your teeth every day to ensure bacteria does not form on your teeth causing infection
Make regular visits to your dentist for a checkup. Sometime you may need professional cleaning due to other mouth problems. You may also want to see our guide on Dry socket: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.
Make a habit of seeing your dentist after 6-12 months for a checkup.
Make sure your general health is fine by eating a balanced diet. Good health practices can help you have healthy gums.
