Causes of swollen gums and several ways to overcome them!

As with teeth, gums are also prone to problems. One of the most common problems is swollen gums. The causes can range from mild to signs of serious medical conditions. Knowing the various causes of swollen gums can make treatment easier if you experience this condition at any time.

The most common cause of swollen gums

An infection that occurs in the gums can make the area swell. Quoted from Medlineplus, gum swelling is a common thing.

Apart from a sharp pain, swollen gums usually also cause bad breath and the appearance of pus-filled lumps on the gums or under the infected teeth.

Some of the things below can be the cause of your gums to be swollen:

1. Brushing your teeth too hard

If the force you exert to brush your teeth is as strong as when scrubbing the bathroom floor, this can certainly damage gum tissue. Instead of making the gums shiny and clean, brushing your teeth too hard causes the gums to become sore, bleed, and eventually swell.

Damaged gum tissue can cause the gum line to loosen down, leaving some of the roots of your teeth exposed. This in turn can trigger the symptoms of sensitive teeth.

So, brush your teeth with reasonable force and also make sure you brush your teeth correctly. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits the width of your mouth.

2. Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the most common cause of irritated, inflamed and swollen gums. Gingivitis is usually caused due to poor oral hygiene.

The remaining food stuck between the teeth and gums will gradually develop into plaque. Plaque that is not cleaned will harden and turn into tartar. Well, this tartar will be the cause of gingivitis.

Dirty teeth are also prone to cavities and can lead to the appearance of abscesses (pus-filled lumps) on the gums, making them appear swollen.

Gingivitis can be prevented and overcome by always maintaining oral health. Make sure to always be diligent in brushing your teeth twice a day in the morning and at night. It is also highly recommended that you use dental floss to clean food debris stuck in the gaps of your teeth.

3. Periodontitis

This condition occurs when a gum infection is serious enough to damage the soft tissue and bone that supports the teeth.

Please note, periodontitis is a continuation of gingivitis that is already severe. Not only are the gums swollen and red in color, this condition can also cause the gums to bleed, discharge pus, shrink, and keep bad breath.

4. Just attach the braces

Quite a number of people report swelling of their gums after putting on braces or tightening braces.

This occurs due to friction between the wires or bracket with the inside of the lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue causing sores. Intense pain usually occurs in the initial weeks of use or after the braces have been tightened.

The easiest way to deal with the cause of these swollen gums is to compress the affected side of the face with an ice cube compress. The cold temperature of ice can numb the nerves in the mouth, thereby stopping the pain.

5. Pregnancy

Hormonal changes during pregnancy make a woman's body produce more blood than usual. As a result, your gums are more prone to irritation, which can lead to swelling.

Not only that. Hormonal changes and a weakened immune system during pregnancy also hinder the body's ability to fight off the bacteria that cause infection.

The Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI) reports that gingivitis is one of the most common causes of swollen gums in the early trimester of pregnancy.

The way to prevent various menstrual mouth problems during pregnancy is to regularly brush your teeth twice a day, morning and night before going to bed. Since before becoming pregnant, regularly check with the dentist to check the condition of your teeth and mouth.

6. Thrush

Swollen gums can be a result of oral thrush, including at the base of the gums. Canker sores cause excruciating stinging and pain that makes it difficult for you to eat and speak. Swollen gums due to thrush can be the cause of immune system disorders, or infection from bacteria or viruses such as oral herpes. Injury from a hard impact to the mouth can also make the gums swell similar to thrush.

To treat thrush, gargle with salt water. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, and rinse it in your mouth for 20-30 seconds then discard and rinse using plain water.

7. There was an infection

It is rare, but an infection in the mouth caused by a fungus or a virus can cause swollen gums. If not treated immediately, other consequences can occur such as abscesses. An abscess is a localized swelling of the gums.

However, if your swollen gums are caused by a herpes virus infection, you should immediately consult a doctor. Doctors can prescribe certain antiviral drugs to kill the virus.

8. Vitamin deficiency

Lack of vitamins B and C can be the cause of swollen gums. Vitamin C is important for producing collagen which makes up gum tissue. Meanwhile, B vitamins help cell growth and blood circulation throughout the body including the gums.

Vitamin C is easily found in oranges, guava, pineapple, mango, and watermelon. Food sources high in B vitamins include meat and fish, milk and dairy products (yogurt, cheese, butter), potatoes, and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli.

Therefore, a deficiency of these two vitamins will make you susceptible to canker sores and swollen gums.

9. Effects of chemotherapy drugs

The use of chemotherapy drugs often causes a number of unpleasant side effects. Starting from nausea, vomiting, hair loss, skin discoloration, to swollen gums.

The use of other drugs such as corticosteroids, anti-epilepsy, and calcium channel inhibitors can also be a factor in causing your gums to swell.

10. Smoking

Everyone knows smoking is harmful to the lungs and heart. However, did you know that smoking can also be the cause of your gums to swell and hurt unbearably?

Smoking can increase the risk of various tooth and gum infections. In fact, people who smoke are known to be more at risk of developing gum disease than non-smokers.

Smoking can weaken the immune system against viruses or bacteria that cause disease. That is why, smokers are at high risk of developing gum infections.

If this bad habit is allowed to continue, gum infection will get worse and more difficult to cure.

11. Hormonal changes in women

Apart from hormonal changes during pregnancy, puberty, menstruation, and menopause can also be the causes of swollen gums specifically in women. During puberty and menstruation, the increased levels of the hormone progesterone will also increase blood flow to the gums.

This causes the gums to become red, swollen, and so sensitive that they may bleed easily. For older women, menopause can also cause similar gum problems.

The good news, this condition will improve when your puberty, menstruation, and menopause ends. To prevent swollen gums, always maintain regular oral and dental hygiene.

If your gum swelling doesn't get better, make an appointment with a dentist immediately.

The right way to deal with swollen gums

The sensation of pain and tenderness due to swollen gums is indeed uncomfortable. The condition of swollen gums should be well prevented through several home remedies such as:

Brush your teeth every day

The main principle of maintaining overall oral and dental health is to regularly brush your teeth every day. If this principle is not carried out properly, then be prepared for all kinds of risks of gum and mouth disease.

You just need to brush your teeth twice a day in the morning and at night before going to bed. Choose a toothbrush that has soft bristles, can reach the entire oral cavity perfectly, and is comfortable when held.

Use toothpaste that contains fluoride because it can help maintain and protect the tooth surface from becoming brittle. Don't forget, brush your teeth slowly so that your gums don't get torn or injured.

Teeth flossing

Using dental floss (dental floss) also no less important for cleaning teeth and mouth. This first tooth treatment is effective for removing food debris in the crevices of teeth, which cannot be reached with an ordinary toothbrush. The thing to remember is to make sure you are flossing teeth after brushing your teeth.

Use mouthwash

So that the cleanliness of your teeth and mouth is really maintained, rinse with mouthwash after every toothbrush. Mouthwash (mouthwash) antiseptics can kill infection-causing bacteria that cause swollen gums and cavities.

Routinely rinse your mouth twice a day after brushing your teeth. Take a 20 ml "dose" of mouthwash (usually the size of the cap of the medicine bottle). Gargle for at least 30 seconds and then remove the liquid from the mouth.

Quit smoking

Smoking a cigarette every day can cause your teeth to turn yellow over time, your gums to swell, and your lips to blacken. Not only that, smoking also increases your risk of developing gum disease and oral cancer.

If you want to be free from these risks, start now to try to stop smoking.

Drink a lot of water

Most of the human body is made up of water. Lack of fluid intake can not only lead to dehydration, but also increase the risk of gum and mouth disease.

The less often you drink, the less saliva you produce in your mouth. In fact, saliva has an important role to help clean leftover food and drinks on the surface of teeth.

Avoid sweet and sour foods

Sweet food and drinks are very tempting. However, these two foods can lead to severe tooth decay.

That is why it is important to avoid eating too much sweet and sour foods. If you really like these two types of food, make sure you rinse your mouth and brush your teeth thoroughly afterward.

Routine consultation with the dentist

Want to be free from all kinds of causes of swollen gums and mouth disease? Start getting used to diligently checking your teeth to the dentist every 6 months.

This good habit applies not only to adults, but also to children. In principle, the earlier this good habit is applied, the better the effect will be.