Swollen Gums – Causes, Symptoms, Risks, Treatment and Home Remedy

Are your gums looking redder than usual? Is your gum swollen and touching it causes pain? You must be suffering from swollen gums. Read on to know all about Swollen Gums around tooth, its causes, symptoms and how to treat  swollen gums.

What is Swollen Gum?

Picture 1 – Swollen Gums
Source – gumtreatment

Gums are the mucous membrane covered tissues of the jaws that surround the roots of the teeth. Swollen Gums are jaw tissues that have suffered an inflammation. This is a mouth condition that affects many people. The disease is also known as “Gingivitis”.

Swollen Gums are one of the most common symptoms of many gum diseases.

Location of Swollen Gums

You can find Swollen Gums under teeth. One may spot Swollen Gums behind front teeth. It is also quite common to find Swollen Gums between teeth. Swollen Gums around tooth are very common. Another common location is swollen gums around wisdom tooth.

Swollen Gums Symptoms

Picture 2 – Swollen Gum
Source – dentaldad

Inflammation of the gums is not the only sign of this disease. The condition gives rise to many other symptoms. These include :

Receding Gums

In many people with swollen gums, the gums move back exposing the teeth which look longer.

Swollen Painful Gums

Sufferers usually experience a constant pain in the gums which worsens while eating foods.

Spaces between Teeth

In some patients, spaces develop between teeth which give an abnormal appearance to the mouth.

Bad Taste

Affected people also suffer from a constant bad taste in the mouth.

Halitosis

There is a chronic case of bad breath in Gingivitis sufferers. Such a constant bad breath is also known as Halitosis.

Tenderness

Sufferers also experience a tender sensation when they touch the inflamed gums.

Red Gums

Swollen gums appear red or purple in patients with Gingivitis. Red swollen gums help in immediate diagnosis of the condition.

Sores

Patients with Gingivitis also suffer from sores in the mouth. Sore Swollen Gums are a common problem in patients affected by Gingivitis.

Loose Teeth

People with this condition also often suffer from loose teeth.

Pyorrhea

In many patients, there is a pus accumulation between the gum line and the teeth.

Causes of Swollen Gums

Picture 3 – Swollen Gums Picture
Source – samitdesign

Some of the common causes of Swollen Gums are :

Bad Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common causes behind swollen gums. This happens in people who do not brush their teeth regularly or brushes in an improper way. If the teeth are not brushed well, the tiny food particles will remain lodged in the gums. These invite bacterial infection of the gums. In many cases of swollen gum infection by bacteria is found to be the causative agent.

In some cases, tight contact between teeth makes it difficult to clean the inter-dental gums.

Forceful Brushing

Brushing your teeth very forcefully can lead to swollen bleeding gums.

Tooth Abscess

A decay of tooth often leads to a dental abscess. If this is left untreated, it may cause an inflammation of gums around the tooth. Swollen Gum abscess is seen in many sufferers with dental decay.

Unhealthy Diet

Refined foods that are high on sugar lead to many dental problems including swollen gums. Fibre-rich foods that need to be chewed thoroughly strengthen the gums and bring down the risk of inflammation.

Ill-fitting Braces

People can have swollen gums with braces that are very tight or ill-fitting. Too tight or ill-fitting dentures can cause constant irritation of gums and lead to their inflammation. Swollen Gums due to braces is quite common.

Vitamin Deficiency

Lack of Vitamin C can also give rise to inflammation of the gums.

Drugs

Swelling of gums may also arise as a side effect of drugs like Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Felodipine and Phenytoin. As a causative agent of Swollen Gums medications like antidepressants and Anticovulsants and heart disease drugs cannot be ruled out. Some of these drugs lead to several gum diseases. This includes an inflammation of gums.

Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of gum disease and is sometimes seen to be the reason behind swollen gums.

Swollen Gums during Pregnancy

Pregnant women are commonly seen to suffer from swollen gums. This is caused due to increased fluid retention and blood circulation in the body. The volume of blood also increases which contributes to the inflammation. About 50% of women suffer from swollen gums during pregnancy. One can see swollen gums during period, especially in the Second Trimester. The condition usually goes away after delivery.

Diagnosis of Swollen Gums

Swollen Gums treatment begins after a proper diagnosis of the condition. Doctors normally begin the diagnosis after a proper observation. The amount of plaque in the oral cavity is examined by dentists. X-rays are used to find out if there is a Periodontitis of the gums and teeth.

Swollen Gums Remedy and Treatment

Picture 4 – Picture of Swollen Gums
Source – mumsandlittleones

Swollen Gums treatment usually involves removal of plaques or bacterial patches from the teeth. A dental therapy is also carried out to reduce oral bacteria. Other methods for Swollen Gums cure involve root planning, scaling, flossing and curettage.

Mouth washes containing Hydrogen Peroxide and Chlorhexidine are often prescribed.

Interdental brushes are also useful for removal of any inflammation causing agent.

Home Remedies for Swollen Gums

There are also a number of Swollen Gums treatment. You can try these Swollen Gums remedies at home to reduce inflammation.

Wash Mouth with Salt Water

Warm a glass of water. Add a tablespoon full of salt into it. Keep the solution in your mouth for a few minutes and spit it out. Do this 3-4 times a day. The swelling will reduce temporarily. For home treatment Swollen Gums salt water is used very often.

Massage the Gums

Gently massage your inflamed gums with a cotton pad. This will increase blood flow to the gums and help in Swollen Gums relief.

Wash Mouth with Lemon Solution

Warm a glass of water and squeeze a full lemon to pour the entire juice into it. Keep the mixture in your mouth for several minutes and spit it out. Do this a few times daily for Swollen Gums remedy.

Multivitamin Pills

Multivitamin pills add Vitamin C, iron and folic acid to the system the absence of which lead to an inflammation of the gums. Taking multivitamins can help in getting quick relief from swollen gums.

Risk factors for Swollen Gums

Picture 5 – Swollen Gums Image
Source – health

While swollen gums are usually non-harmful, they can sometimes lead to serious complications like ulcers in the gums and even tooth loss. In worse cases of gum inflammation due to bacteria, life-threatening conditions like Endocarditis may also arise. Some studies have also related swollen gums with stroke and heart attacks.

Is your gum swollen? If you are having severe swelling in the gums accompanied with constant pain, it is time to consult a doctor. While home remedies are fine for temporary relief, it is best to visit an experienced dental professional and get expert medical assistance. Timely treatment will help you recover sooner and avoid any possible future health complication.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gingivitis

http://www.ehow.com/way_5392982_treatments-painful-swollen-gums.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003066.htm

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/swollen_gums.htm