Why Are My Gums Swollen?

Aside from your teeth, your gums are very important too in order to show a beautiful white smile. Of course if you don't have healthy gums, it will be easier for your teeth to fall, unlike when it's firm. And we understand the agony of having swollen gums. You may start to see that some part of your teeth is hidden while the gums appear  than normal. It is very uncomfortable, especially if it's painful. 

You may have thought that swollen gums could be caused by oral health related problems, however, at times, it may be a sign of a serious health problem that needs to be addressed right away. 

There are a lot of reasons why you have swollen gums and while you still don't have the time to visit your dentist, we are going to provide you with the right information of what's causing your gums to swell. Read more below!

Causes of Swollen Gums

1. Food Stuck In Your Teeth

Your gums can easily get irritated when there is food left in between your teeth, especially near the gum line. Most of these foods include the hard and crunchy ones like popcorn and chips. If you fail to get the food stuck after eating, the gums will surely react, making the gums red and painful. 

This is something that you should not worry about because the swelling and pain will go away the moment you floss the food stuck in between your teeth.

2. Pregnancy

Hormonal changes in pregnant women include swollen gums. If you are pregnant by now and you don't feel any problem with your teeth or your mouth, there's nothing to worry about. The reason why your gums will swell is due to the increased blood flow in the gums caused by hormonal changes. 

However, this is also the time that you need to take extra care of your oral health, because if you just neglect this, it may lead to gingivitis. 

Make it a habit to rinse your mouth using salt water everyday and don't forget to brush your teeth. If you think there is a need to visit a dentist, don't hesitate to schedule a checkup. 

3. Deficiency in Vitamins B & C

Vitamin deficiency can also lead to inflamed gums or swollen gums. For Vitamin B, it helps you fight gum disease as it prevents any mouth irritation from lips, tongue, and gums. 

Vitamin C plays an important role in keeping the tissues in your gums strong and healthy. In this way, the gums can firmly hold your teeth keeping them intact or in place and won't fall easily. 

If there's also a vitamin that you want to add in your diet, it should be vitamin D. As it helps you against bacteria causing gum disease and reduces the chance of experiencing gum inflammation too. 

4. Tooth Infections

If you have cavities, there is a big chance that your tooth will be infected too by bacteria. When this infection begins, you will notice a tooth abscess that may appear around the root of the infected tooth or just above the gum line. When this happens, you can find relief by making sure that the inflamed gums will not worsen.

You can use an ice pack or ice cubes and apply a cold compress to the affected area or or on your gums. You can choose to apply it for 10-15 minutes or as long as the coldness of the compress is tolerable to your skin.

5. Gingivitis

Just like your teeth, if you don't brush daily you will have plaque and cavities. The same thing happens to your gums too, if you have poor oral hygiene you are likely to have gingivitis. The signs of gingivitis include swollen gums, bleeding gums, and even inflamed gums. The bacteria buildup on your teeth affects your gums too since these two are connected to each other. You need to right away improve your oral hygiene routine if you don't want gingivitis to worsen, making you lose your teeth uncontrollably. 

What Should You Do When Your Gums Are Swollen?

Drink More Water

Your main enemy when you have swollen gums are bacteria that reside in your mouth. So, for you to be able to fight this off, you need to drink more water. Saliva is very important in washing away the bacteria from your mouth. If you have a dry mouth, it will be difficult for you to cure your gums.

Use Water Flosser

Using string floss is never advisable if you want to floss your teeth while your gums are swollen. The reason for this is that it will be hard for you to maneuver the string in between your teeth because chances are you may accidentally pull it to your gums causing them to bleed more.

Use a water flosser instead because it can remove the food stuck in between your teeth without hurting your gums with the use of a streaming water alone. It is very important that you purchase the portable one so you can bring it with you anywhere you go. Some water flossers work for 30 days with just one charge, very convenient and hassle free. 

Steps in Using Water Flosser

1. Fill the reservoir with warm water before placing it on the base.
2. Water flossers come with different tips so choose the one that you favored the most. 
3. Click the tip into the handle.
4. Turn on the water flosser and set the control dial too high to let the water flow. (The next time you will use it, you can set the control dial to any type of pressure you want.)
5. In a sink, you have to lean over so that the water won’t stream down to your clothes.
6. Place the tip at the gumline and let the water flow to clean each tooth.
7. Move it from one gum to another.
8. Once you have finished flossing your teeth, turn the water flosser off and remove the tip.

Conclusion

Take good care of your oral health like how you take care of your body. Neglection can lead to serious diseases that can also affect your overall health too. Always attend a check up with your dentists too, only these experts can know what's best for your oral health!

Disclaimer:

The content in this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen. The author and publisher do not take responsibility for any consequences resulting from the information provided in this article.