You most likely rush to the dentist as soon as you have dental pain. But what should you do if your gums are hurting? There are a variety of causes for gum pain. However, a lot of gum issues take time to manifest as discomfort. The reasons could be anything from trivial to serious.
If you're experiencing pain in your gums, it's important to identify the cause and find a solution as soon as possible. Gum pain can be a sign of an underlying issue, and if left untreated, can lead to more serious problems.
Gum infection
Bleeding, swelling, and redness are the initial symptoms of this. They typically occur when you don't floss or clean your teeth thoroughly or frequently enough. Pain may not yet be prominent for you.
Your gum disease can worsen if you don't brush and floss your teeth more effectively. Your gums may begin to separate from your teeth over time, forming tiny spaces. Small food fragments that get lodged there could contaminate you. This may result in tooth loss because the teeth may become looser or the bone holding them in place may deteriorate. At this moment, you might or might not experience any pain.
Canker sores
These might show up on the gums or anyplace else in the mouth. They typically manifest as red spots in the mouth, however, they can also have a white coating. Canker sores don't require any special care, but they typically disappear on their own in a week or two. Visit your dentist or doctor if they don't.
Tobacco
You are more prone to get gum disease if you smoke or use "smokeless" items like chewing tobacco, dip, or snuff.
Additionally, smokeless tobacco can hurt your mouth more than cigarettes because it is typically chewed between the cheek and the gum. Sores could develop inside your mouth and on your gums, and your gums could start to pull away from your teeth. Oral cancer may result from it as well.
Hormonal changes
At certain points in a woman's life, hormones might have an impact on her gums. The increased blood flow to your gums during puberty may cause them to feel swollen, irritated, or painful. During your menstruation, they could also feel a little sore.
Your hormone levels rise during pregnancy, which may have an impact on your gums. If you notice that your gums are bleeding or hurting, consult your doctor.
When you reach menopause, your hormone levels change once more. It could ache, burn, change colour, or cause your gums to bleed.
Infected Tooth
A pus pocket, or abscess, develops when the base of your tooth is infected. Although many of them hurt, they don't usually. The gums might enlarge in some cases of abscessed teeth. Visit your dentist if your gums hurt or are inflamed. It can require a root canal to be treated.
Oral cancer
Your tongue, inner cheek, tonsils, or gums may be the beginning of this. Because it resembles a sore in your mouth that just won't go away, you or your dentist may be able to detect the cancer. At first, it might not hurt. But keep an eye on it, as well as any gum or mouth sores. If they don't heal in a couple of weeks, visit the dentist.
How to Relieve Gum Pain
Try these straightforward home treatments for sore gums:
- Use warm salt water to rinse your mouth.
- Ensure that your toothbrushes have soft or extra-soft bristles exclusively. Try Habbits plant-based biodegradable wheat-straw toothbrush.
OTC medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), should be taken as prescribed.
Other over-the-counter medications for sore gums are available at the drugstore.
These consist of:
- oral rinses with hydrogen peroxide (such as Gly-Oxide)
- Gels that you put on your aching gums immediately (such as Anbesol)
You can have a condition called thrush if your gums ache and your tongue or cheeks have a white coating. An instance of a yeast infection. If it doesn't go away after eating yoghurt with living cultures, you should visit a doctor or dentist.
Avoiding spicy, salty, and acidic meals will help you feel better in the interim, as will using the same home remedies as before.
When should I visit the dentist?
Go to the dentist if your gums continue to bleed or pain for more than a week. Gingivitis is characterised by red, swollen gums that bleed easily. By brushing, flossing, and getting your teeth cleaned on a regular basis, you can restore your gums to their previous state.
If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that can result in painful pus-filled sacs known as abscesses.
Moreover, it may result in tooth loss.
Take care of your mouth because gum disease and heart disease have been related.
See your dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms or persistent gum pain:
- Bluish gums
- Red and swollen gums
- Retracted gums from your teeth
- Dentures that no longer fit properly
- Pain when chewing
- Missing teeth
- Teeth that are extremely sensitive to cold or the heat
The FDA advises cleaning your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day to maintain healthy gums and ward off gum disease.
Conclusion
if you're experiencing gum pain, it's important to identify the cause and seek treatment as soon as possible. By taking care of your oral health and practicing good hygiene, you can help prevent future gum pain and maintain a healthy, pain-free smile.
