Swollen gums: causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Definition

What are swollen gums?

Gums are soft tissue in the mouth. This tissue is fibrous and filled with blood vessels. Friction or pressure that is too hard can irritate and swell the gums.

When your gums are swollen, the tissue will be reddish and can protrude. This makes the gums more sensitive to the slightest stimulation. Simple activities such as chewing and brushing your teeth may cause pain and an irregular burning sensation.

This condition should not be underestimated. If not treated properly, swollen gums can turn into a severe infection that spreads to the teeth

How common are the gums being swollen?

Swollen gums are a common mouth problem. This condition can be experienced by anyone. Starts from children to adults. You can prevent this condition by avoiding the existing risk factors. Please consult a doctor for more information.

Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of swollen gums?

Healthy gums are pink, have a firm texture, and stick tightly to every tooth. However, if you experience swollen gums, they will be reddish, tender, and painful to the touch. Sometimes swollen gums are prone to bleeding, especially when you brush your teeth.

Swollen gums are usually accompanied by a bad taste in the mouth, bad breath, and a pocket of pus (abscess).

When to see a doctor?

Immediately go to the doctor if the swollen gums do not subside or even get worse. You should also seek medical attention immediately if you experience a number of other symptoms, such as:

• Pain in the gums that is intense and sharp
• Bad or strange taste in the mouth
• Bleeding in the gums that occurs without cause
• Chronic bad breath that won't go away
• Difficulty opening your mouth, so biting, chewing, or even speaking is a very torturous activity
• High fever
• Severe headache
• Limp body is not powerful

Don't underestimate swollen gums, as this could be a sign of a serious medical condition. Immediately arrange a schedule for consultation with the dentist to find out the cause and the right way to deal with it according to your condition.

Cause

What causes swollen gums?

There are many reasons for swollen gums. Some of the things below may be one of the causes of your gums to be swollen.

1. Gingivitis

Inflammation of the gums, aka gingivitis, is the most common cause of swelling of the gums. This condition is caused due to plaque that is allowed to continue to accumulate on the surface of the teeth. Plaque is a thin layer that contains bacteria.

If you do not maintain proper dental hygiene, plaque can harden and turn into tartar. Well, this tartar often triggers irritation, causing the gums to become swollen and inflamed.

Many people do not realize that they have gingivitis because the symptoms are usually very mild. Even so, if this condition is allowed to continue, inflammation of the gums can lead to a serious gum infection called periodontitis.

2. Thrush

Thrush is a mouth problem that is most often experienced by people. At least once a year a person can experience thrush. Canker sores can appear anywhere, including at the base of the gums.

Apart from causing the gums to be swollen, you can also feel a sharp sensation and pain. This pain can even make it difficult for you to eat and talk.

Thrush can be triggered by many things. Starting from infections, hard collisions that hit the soft tissue in the mouth, to immune system disorders.

3. Brushing your teeth too hard

In order to get clean, stain-free teeth, some people may brush their teeth vigorously. In fact, this method is not appropriate. Brushing your teeth too hard can actually make your gums swollen and injured.

Too much pressure when you brush your teeth can damage the gum tissue, which is soft and sensitive. As a result, your gums can become injured, bleed, and eventually become swollen.

On the other hand, brushing your teeth too hard can also erode the outer layer of your teeth (enamel), which in turn triggers tooth sensitivity.

4. Side effects of stirrup

Braces aka braces is a treatment to align teeth and correct abnormal jaws. Unfortunately, the use of braces also has side effects that need to be watched out for. One of them is the gums are swollen.

The first week after the braces are successfully placed, you will usually experience some discomfort. Cheeks, gums, lips, and tongue that are rubbed against by the wire can also be injured and cause quite painful pain. Sometimes, this can lead to canker sores.

Some people also complain of experiencing similar side effects after tightening the stirrup.

5. Pregnancy

Swollen gums can also occur during pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase blood flow in your gums. Well, this increased blood flow can cause your gums to become easily irritated until they become swollen.

These hormonal changes can also inhibit the body's ability to fight bacteria that can cause gum infections. As a result, swelling of the gums cannot be avoided.

Decreased immune system and frequent vomiting due to morning sickness also makes pregnant women more susceptible to oral and dental problems, reports the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI).

PDGI reports that gingivitis aka inflammation of the gums is one of the most common diseases experienced by pregnant women in the early trimester of pregnancy.

6. Hormonal changes

Apart from pregnancy, the hormonal changes that women experience during puberty, menstruation, and menopause can also cause swollen gums. The levels of the hormone progesterone, which tend to increase at that time, affect blood flow to the gums. As a result, the gums become red, swollen, and sensitive.

7. Smoking

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that smokers are more prone to developing gum disease than nonsmokers. The more and longer you smoke, the more susceptible you are to gum disease.

This is because the chemicals contained in cigarettes can weaken the immune system against bacteria and viruses that cause disease.

Therefore, people who smoke are more at risk of developing gum infections. Gum infection can get worse and difficult to cure if you keep on doing this bad habit.

8. Vitamin deficiency

Without you knowing it, nutritional intake from the food you eat every day also affects the health of your gums and teeth. If you are deficient in vitamins, especially vitamins B and C, you will be more susceptible to oral problems.

Vitamin C is needed by the body to produce collagen, which helps form gum tissue. Therefore, people who are deficient in vitamin C are more prone to developing mouth sores and swollen gums.

While B vitamins are needed by the body for cell growth and help blood circulation throughout the body, including the gums.

9. Take certain drugs

Try checking the medicines that you are regularly taking every day. It could be that your gum swelling is caused by one of these medications.

A number of medications have dry mouth side effects. While dry mouth can trigger a number of mouth problems, such as swollen gums. This is because dry mouth conditions actually increase the growth of bacteria in the mouth. As a result, you will be more susceptible to a number of infections that cause swelling of the gums.

Types of drugs that make dry mouth include pain relievers, antihistamines, corticosteroids, anti-epilepsy, calcium channel inhibitors, and so on. Chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer can also be a factor in causing your gums to get swollen.

Quoting from the WebMD page, cancer patients often experience stomatitis, aka canker sores. This canker sores can appear anywhere. Whether on the lips, gums, tongue, the top of the mouth, or the inside of the cheeks.

Risk factors

What increases the risk of swollen gums?

There are many things that can increase your risk of developing gum inflammation. Some of these include:

• Age.
• History of gum disease
• Injury around the mouth.
• Underwent certain dental treatments.
• Bad teeth cleaning habits, such as rarely brushing your teeth and flossing.
• Hormonal changes that women experience during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause.
• Smoke.
• Take certain drugs.
• Undergo chemotherapy treatment.

Medicine & medication

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to diagnose swollen gums?

Swollen gums can be diagnosed with a physical exam. The doctor will ask you to open your mouth. After that, the doctor will check the condition of the gums that are swollen or inflamed. During the examination, your doctor will ask you about your dental history and any symptoms you are experiencing.

The doctor may also ask some questions about the pain you are experiencing. For example, when did your gums start to swell, how intense the pain you feel, etc.

A number of medications can be a factor in triggering your gums to swell. Therefore, during the examination, don't forget to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are regularly taking. Whether it's drugs with or without a doctor's prescription, including dietary supplements and even herbal medicines.

If necessary, a doctor can also do an X-ray examination. In certain cases, you may also have to undergo lab tests.

How to treat swollen gums?

The treatment for swollen gums depends on the causative factor and the symptoms you are complaining about. The following are drug options to treat swollen gums.

1. Take pain relievers

If your gums feel very painful, taking pain medication can be a solution. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are two panacea for relieving minor pain all over the body.

Compared to ibuprofen, paracetamol is more popular because it is easily found in stalls, drug stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets without having to use a doctor's prescription. However, always use any type of medicine wisely and according to the rules.

Read first how to use it before you take medicine. If you don't understand how to use it, don't hesitate to ask directly to a doctor or pharmacist.

2. Antibiotic or antiviral drugs

If the swelling of your gums is due to a bacterial infection, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics. Meanwhile, if it is caused by a viral infection, antiviral drugs are the right solution.

Both antibiotics and antivirals should be taken regularly as directed. Do not stop, reduce, or increase the dose of medication without your doctor knowing.

3. Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine can also be used to relieve swelling of the gums. This drug is effective in preventing the growth of inflammation-causing bacteria and swollen gums. This drug must be redeemed by a doctor's prescription.

Chlorhexidine has many types. When prescribed as a mouthwash, the chlorhexidine solution should not be swallowed.

Tell your doctor if you have a history of gum disease and have recently had dental veneers, installed dentures, or filled cavities.

4. Clean tartar

The tartar that keeps forming on the gum line can irritate and make your gums swell. Unfortunately, gum tartar cannot be removed just by brushing your teeth. The coral in the gums must be removed through a scaling treatment using a special tool. Scaling will remove tartar from your gum line and the surface of your teeth.

Scaling treatment should be carried out at the dentist. Ideally, scaling is done every 6 months. However, if you have serious dental problems, scaling treatment can be done more frequently.

Home remedies

What are some home remedies for treating swollen gums?

Apart from medical medications, there are also home remedies to relieve swollen gums. Here are some home remedies you can try.

1. Brush your teeth slowly

Even though swollen gums can be uncomfortable, you still need to take good care of your teeth and mouth hygiene every day. To prevent the swelling from getting worse, make sure you brush your teeth gently.

Choose a toothbrush that has soft bristles, has a brush head that fits snugly in your mouth, and is comfortable to hold. Make sure the toothpaste you use at home contains fluoride.

Fluoride helps maintain and protect the surface of the teeth from becoming brittle. You need to brush your teeth twice, in the morning after breakfast and at night before bed.

2. Floss your teeth

Brushing alone is not enough to thoroughly clean your teeth. After brushing your teeth, you also need to floss (dental floss).

This method of cleaning teeth is effective for removing food debris that is in the crevices of teeth, which cannot be reached with an ordinary toothbrush.

Gently run the floss between your teeth and gum line. Rubbing the thread too tightly can actually cause the gums to tear and bleed.

3. Stop smoking

In order for you to avoid various dental and mouth problems, from now on try to stop smoking. Remember, the longer and the more you smoke, the more real the terror of gum disease will be.

4. Use mouthwash

In addition to fresh breath, mouthwash can also be used to help treat oral health. Mouthwash that contains an antiseptic can fight infection-causing bacteria that cause swollen gums and cavities.

Gargle twice a day after brushing your teeth for 30 seconds. Remember! Don't swallow it, OK! So after gargling, throw the water away.

5. Choose food wisely

The foods you eat every day affect the health of your gums and teeth. Limit sweet and sour foods as they can lead to severe tooth decay. Especially if you also rarely brush your teeth.

If you can't get away from these two types of food, make sure you rinse your mouth and brush your teeth thoroughly afterward.

6. Drink lots of water

Lack of fluid intake can cause dry mouth. In fact, saliva plays an important role in moisturizing as well as cleaning food debris on the surface of the teeth.

So make sure you drink lots of white every day. Immediately drink a glass of water whenever you feel thirsty.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.