Should I Be Worried About Swollen Gums?

Have you noticed changes in your gums such as a swelling, puffiness, redness, or even bleeding? Abnormalities in your gum tissue can be the result of minor irritation, or it could be the sign of something much more serious. Here are a few reasons why your gums may be red or swollen, and why it may be time to see your dentist about it.

Reasons for Swollen Gums

Gums can become red and inflamed for many reasons. Common causes can often be as simple as brushing or flossing too hard. Thankfully, these are easy to correct and often leave no permanent damage. But in other cases, gums could have more serious issues lurking within them, including bacterial infections like gingivitis and periodontal disease. Other reasons for inflammation include:

• Smoking or vaping: the chemicals in cigarettes and vaping fluid can irritate the gum tissue, causing swelling and pain.
• New oral health products: sometimes, something as simple as switching to a new oral health product such as a different toothpaste or mouthwash can irritate your gums, especially if you are allergic to an ingredient.
• Poor nutrition: your gums thrive on a nutrient-rich diet, packed with vitamin C, as deficiency in this particular vitamin can cause sore, bleeding gums.
• Medication: starting a new medication can sometimes cause gum swelling. If you have recently begun using a new medicine and are noticing symptoms in your smile, speak to your physician about side effects.
• Dental appliances: sometimes, fitted dental appliances can irritate the gums, especially if any part of them touch your gum tissue.
• Pregnancy: pregnancy hormones can cause sensitivity, inflammation and swelling. It can also cause a condition called pregnancy gingivitis which typically clears up after pregnancy.

“My gums are swollen. Now what?”

The cause of your swollen gums should determine your next steps. If you are experiencing any unexplained swelling and cannot trace it back to a change in routine such as a new oral health product or medication, schedule an appointment with your dentist for a closer look. Often, conditions like gingivitis can be easily reversible if caught and treated quickly enough. For more advanced problems like periodontal disease, more serious intervention may be required, such as gum grafting and root planing and scaling. Your dentist can determine the cause of your gum inflammation and customize a treatment plan that will help restore the health of your gums.

Remember, there are many things that could cause your gums to become red and inflamed, but ignoring the problem can sometimes make it worse. Thus, if you are experiencing any kind of unexplained gum changes, it’s best to seek the advice of your dentist to help ensure that your smile stays healthy for years to come.

About Dr. Morton

Dr. Roger Morton earned his doctorate in dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Since graduation, he has continued to expand his dentistry skills and knowledge in a variety of topics, including dental implants, removable dentures, and endodontics.  If you are experiencing any unexplained changes in the condition of your gums, schedule an appointment with Wylie Family Dentistry today. Dr. Wylie can examine your gums and treat the cause of the inflammation.  To make your appointment, please visit our website or call us directly at 972-442-5599.