The gum is one of the tissues located on the jawbone, which supports the teeth by wrapping the teeth and tooth roots. Gum health has an important place for dental, oral, and general body health. Gum problems are among the health problems that people commonly encounter throughout their lives. Various disorders developing in the gums significantly negatively affect the quality of life of the person. In addition, it can cause anxiety by causing complaints such as bleeding, sensitivity, pain, and irritation. Gum diseases, which can cause tooth loss by damaging bone tissue, can negatively affect chewing functions, nutrition and speech as well as disrupting facial aesthetics. Gum swelling may be a sign of gingivitis and other gum diseases. They may also indicate other health conditions such as infection, vitamin deficiency or hormonal changes. Often a source of irritation, sensitivity or pain, gum swelling is also characterized by bleeding gums when cleaning or flossing the teeth. The treatment of gum swelling depends on the underlying cause. When faced with such a problem, it is important for the individual to seek help from a dental clinic and to pay attention to basic oral hygiene.
What is Gum Swelling?
Gums have a very important place in oral and dental health. Failure to maintain proper oral hygiene can cause problems in the gums. Various physiological conditions such as vitamin deficiency and hormonal changes or some diseases such as gingivitis can cause gingival swelling by causing enlargement and edema in the gums.
Gum swelling can range from being severe enough to significantly affect one’s quality of life to being mild and causing only minor discomfort. It is often a result of inadequate oral hygiene. When it occurs in individuals who take good care of their oral health, it may indicate an underlying health issue.
Gum swelling usually heals spontaneously in a short time by paying attention to oral hygiene and consuming soft foods. Nonetheless, if swelling persists for over a week, seeking advice from a dentist might be the right choice. While some may view this swelling as a minor inconvenience, if ignored, it can progress to severe issues like periodontitis, gum recession, and tooth loss.
Causes of Swollen Gums
Gum swelling may develop due to various physiological events or may occur as a symptom of various diseases. Causes of gum swelling can include vitamin deficiencies, infection or hormonal changes, inadequate oral and dental hygiene, improper use of oral and dental care products, poorly fitting dentures or particles getting stuck between the teeth. We have tried to discuss other causes of this swelling in detail below:
1. Gingivitis
Gingivitis stands as the primary culprit behind gum swelling, provoking irritation, and inflammation in the gums. At first, gingivitis’s subtle symptoms often escape many individuals’ attention. Nevertheless, if not addressed promptly, this condition can progress, potentially culminating in tooth loss and more serious repercussions.
Insufficient dental care stands as the key factor contributing to the onset of gingivitis. Plaque formed by bacteria and food particles on the surface of the teeth turns into tartar over time if not cleaned. Brushing and flossing alone become insufficient for tartar removal once it has developed. Given its potential to cause dental inflammation, seeking professional cleaning by a dentist becomes imperative.
2. Pregnancy
Another condition that leads to swollen gums is pregnancy. Changes in hormonal balance with pregnancy can lead to growth, vascularization, and changes in tissue structure in the gums. Hormone treatments or certain endocrine diseases can also lead to a similar condition. Elevated blood flow can result in heightened gum sensitivity and swelling.
Furthermore, these hormonal fluctuations can compromise the body’s ability to combat bacteria, consequently raising the risk of gingivitis.
3. Malnutrition
Vitamin deficiency can lead to swollen gums. This can cause deterioration of the gum structure and problems such as swelling, pain and bleeding. Since malnutrition is rare in developed countries, this condition is mostly seen in elderly people.
4. Infection
Gum swelling may occur as a result of inflammation in the gums in local infections in the gums or in infections affecting the general body. That is, viral and fungal infections can cause swelling of the gums. For example, cold sores can cause problems with swelling of the gums. Abscesses can also cause swelling of the gums, especially in the areas they affect.
Potential Treatments for Swollen Gums
In the treatment of gum swelling, the underlying cause must first be correctly identified. For this purpose, a dentist should learn the history of the disease in detail and make an evaluation after X-ray film and detailed examination. Treatment is planned according to the results of the evaluation.
If gum swelling is caused by a gum problem such as gingivitis, treatment is primarily aimed at improving oral and dental hygiene. If necessary, drug treatment for infection can also be applied. In this context, the use of mouth cleansing solutions and mouthwashes may also be recommended.
If swelling is caused by chronic diseases such as diabetes, Crohn’s disease, treatment is planned for the causative factor. It is recommended to stop alcohol and smoking. If the drugs used for existing diseases have side effects on the gums, the drugs may need to be rearranged. In case of vitamin deficiency, insufficient vitamins are supplemented.
In cases of gum swelling during pregnancy, maintaining oral hygiene after complaints such as nausea and vomiting, which are common during pregnancy, can be extremely helpful in addressing gum problems.
If gum problems cannot be eliminated despite these treatments, interventional treatment methods may be considered. Growing gum tissues can be removed with techniques such as laser excision, electrosurgery, periodontal surgery and gingivectomy.
In addition, some tips for home care for swollen gums are as follows:
- Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day for at least 2 minutes, with a toothbrush of appropriate hardness, with the correct technique.
- Use dental floss to clean the areas between the teeth and gums.
- Always clean the food residues in the mouth.
- Rinse your mouth with saline or mouthwash solution to clean your mouth from bacteria.
- Drink plenty of water during the day.
- If you have a habit of mouth breathing, take measures to eliminate this problem.
- Avoid irritants such as strong mouthwashes, alcohol, and tobacco.
- Have tartar cleaning at least once or twice a year.
