Gum Swelling
What Is Gum Swelling?
Gum swelling, also known as gingival swelling, is a common dental condition that occurs when the gums become enlarged, puffy, and inflamed. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor oral hygiene, gum disease, hormonal changes, medications, and certain medical conditions.
Gum swelling can be uncomfortable and unsightly, and if left untreated, it can lead to more serious dental problems such as gum recession, tooth loss, and even bone loss in the jaw. Therefore, it’s important to take gum swelling seriously and seek treatment from a dental professional if you experience any symptoms. Before you contact a Toronto dentist to examine possible swelling of the gums, there are some things you should know as a patient:
- Why Do I Have Gum Swelling?
- Signs And Symptoms Of Gum Swelling
- Treatment Options For Gum Swelling
- How To Prevent Gum Swelling
- Managing Gum Swelling Until You Can See The Dentist
- Oral Hygiene Tips For Gum Swelling
- Recommended Oral Hygiene Products For Gum Swelling
If you have questions about Gum Swelling or other dental problems, please contact us for more information.
Why Do I Have Gum Swelling?
Gum swelling can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Poor oral hygiene: Not brushing and flossing regularly can allow plaque and bacteria to build up on the teeth and gums, leading to inflammation and swelling.
- Gum disease: Gingivitis and periodontitis are two types of gum disease that can cause swelling, bleeding, and recession of the gums. This is due to the buildup of plaque and bacteria below the gum line, which can lead to dental infection and inflammation.
- Wisdom teeth: The emergence of wisdom teeth can cause gum swelling and discomfort, especially if they become impacted. This condition is also called pericoronitis.
- Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormones, such as during pregnancy or menopause, can affect the gums and cause swelling.
- Medications: Some medications, such as anti-seizure drugs, calcium channel blockers, and immunosuppressants, can cause gum swelling as a side effect.
- Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and autoimmune disorders, can increase the risk of gum swelling.
- Dental procedures: Gum swelling can also be a normal part of the healing process after a dental procedure, such as a root canal or extraction.
It’s important to identify the underlying cause of your gum swelling in order to effectively treat it. If you’re experiencing gum swelling, please contact us for more information.
Signs And Symptoms Of Gum Swelling
Gum swelling can cause a variety of signs and symptoms, including:
- Redness: The gums may appear redder than usual.
- Puffiness: The gums may look swollen and puffy.
- Bleeding: The gums may bleed when brushing or flossing.
- Pain or tenderness: The gums may feel painful or tender to the touch.
- Receding gums: The gum line may start to recede, exposing more of the tooth root.
- Loose teeth: If your swollen gums are linked to gum disease, then you may feel some teeth become loose or shift out of position. This is because gum disease causes destruction of gum and bone that keeps the tooth stable in the mouth.
If you’re experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible. Early treatment can help prevent more serious dental problems down the road.For more information about Gum Swelling, please contact us.
Treatment Options For Gum Swelling
The appropriate treatment for gum swelling will depend on the underlying cause, but may include:
- Improved oral hygiene: If poor oral hygiene is the cause of gum swelling, the dentist may recommend brushing and flossing more often or using an antiseptic mouthwash to help reduce inflammation.
- Teeth cleaning: Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical dental procedure that is often used to treat gum disease. It involves a deep cleaning of the teeth and gums to remove plaque and tartar buildup from below the gumline. During the procedure, the dentist or hygienist uses special tools to scrape away the buildup of bacteria and smooth out the roots of the teeth to prevent further bacterial growth. Scaling and root planing is typically performed in two or more visits, and may be combined with other treatments to effectively treat gum disease and prevent tooth loss.
- Medications: Antibiotics, antifungal medications, or topical gels may be prescribed to treat dental infections or inflammation.
- Periodontal surgery: In more severe cases, periodontal surgery may be necessary to treat gum disease and reduce gum swelling. This involves the removal of infected or damaged tissue from the gums and may also involve reshaping the gumline to help prevent further bacterial growth. The goal of periodontal surgery is to treat advanced stages of gum disease, improve the health of the gums, and prevent tooth loss.
- Tooth removal: In cases where gum swelling is caused by an impacted wisdom tooth or infected tooth, tooth removal may be necessary to alleviate the swelling.
It’s important to work with a dental professional to determine the best course of treatment for your gum swelling. They can help identify the underlying cause and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve optimal oral health. If you have further questions about treatment options for Gum Swelling, please contact us.
How To Prevent Gum Swelling
Preventing gum swelling can be accomplished through the following methods:
- Practice good oral hygiene: Brushing and flossing regularly can help prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth and gums that causes swollen gums. Brush and floss gently around the permanent retainer. The Waterpik waterflosser is also a terrific adjunctive tool to keep the area around the retainer wire clean.
- Healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help promote overall oral and gum health.
- Avoid tobacco: Using tobacco products can increase the risk of gum disease and swelling.
- Manage medical conditions: Controlling underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, can help reduce the risk of gum swelling.
- Regular dental check-ups: Regular dental check-ups can help identify and treat gum swelling before it becomes a more serious problem.
By following these tips, you can help maintain healthy gums and prevent gum swelling from occurring in the first place. If you have further questions about how to prevent Gum Swelling, please contact us.
Managing Gum Swelling Until You Can See The Dentist
If you’re experiencing gum swelling and can’t see a dentist right away, there are a few things you can do to manage the symptoms:
- Rinse with saltwater: Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater can help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. Mix a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and swish the solution around your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting it out. Alternatively, you can buy and use any mouthwash available at your pharmacy or health foods store
- Apply a cold compress: Placing a cold compress on your cheek near the swollen area can help reduce pain and swelling.
- Use Over-the-Counter Pain Medication: Over-the-counter pain medication can help relieve tooth pain or tooth sensitivity from swollen gums. You are also welcome to use over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Ask your dentist what dosage is right for you, but if you do not have a pre-existing medical condition of allergies, 1000mg acetaminophen (Tylenol) with 600mg ibuprofen (Advil) every 4-6 hours or as needed is a very powerful combination.
- Practice good oral hygiene: Keeping the area around your swollen gums as possible can help prevent further damage and alleviate some of the tooth pain. Brush and floss gently around the tooth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to minimize further irritation of the gums.
It’s important to remember that these are temporary solutions and that seeing a dentist is still necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment of gum swelling. If you have further questions about how to manage Gum Swelling from home, please contact us.
Oral Hygiene Tips For Gum Swelling
- Brush At Least Twice A Day: Conventional wisdom says that you should brush at least twice a day; once in the morning and once before you go to bed. Two times a day is a good rule of thumb. But ideally, you should brush right after a meal. This is to maximize the amount of time your teeth stay clean between meals.
- When You Cannot Brush Your Teeth, Rinse With Water Or Mouthwash: It is sometimes not practical to be brushing after every meal. You may be busy at work or at school during your day and cannot find time to brush or floss. If this is the case, at least rinse with water or mouthwash to get as much food debris and taste out of your mouth. One brand that we highly recommend is Crest Gum Care Mouthwash Oral Rinse
- Consider Upgrading Your Toothbrush: Ensure you are using a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth and gums, as they are gentler and less likely to cause damage or irritation to the gum tissue around it. One brand of toothbrush that we highly recommend is the Curaprox CS5460 Ultra Soft Swiss Toothbrush. Also consider upgrading to an electric toothbrush, which can be more effective at removing plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums. One brand of electric toothbrush that we highly recommend is the Philips Sonicare Protectiveclean 6100.
- Floss Daily: Flossing is critical to remove plaque and food particles that may accumulate around your teeth and gums. Ideally you should be flossing every time you brush, but once a day is the bare minimum. We recommend GUM ButlerWeave Dental Floss. If you have difficulty using regular string floss, consider using dental flossers (such as Sunstar 888JC GUM Advanced Care Flossers) or interdental brushes (GUM Proxabrush) to clean the space between the teeth and gums.
- Buy A Water Flosser: We highly recommend you purchase a Water Flosser and to use it daily in addition to regular flossing; the Water Flosser will flush out debris missed by floss and toothbrush. Ideally you should be water flossing every time you brush, but once a day is the bare minimum. One brand that we highly recommend is the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser
- Use A Gum Care Antibacterial Mouthwash Daily: Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash specially formulated for gum care daily to help reduce the risk of gingivitis or periodontitis and to freshen your breath. Ideally you should be rinsing with mouthwash every time you brush, but once a day is the bare minimum. One brand that we highly recommend is Crest Gum Care Mouthwash Oral Rinse
- Use A Gum Care Toothpaste: Be sure to use a toothpaste that has a unique formula that penetrates deep into the gums, providing a deep clean that helps to neutralize harmful bacteria and promote gum health. One brand that we highly recommend is the Crest Pro Health Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste.
- Attend Regular Check-Ups And Cleanings: Schedule regular check-ups and teeth cleanings with your dentist to monitor the health of your teeth and gums. Your dentist will examine your mouth and take digital x-ray images to check for any potential problems, as well as clean the area and surrounding teeth to remove any plaque or tartar buildup.
Recommended Oral Hygiene Products For Gum Swelling
- Toothbrush: Curaprox CS5460 Ultra Soft Swiss Toothbrush OR Electric Toothbrush: Philips Sonicare Protectiveclean 6100
- Floss: GUM ButlerWeave Dental Floss OR Sunstar 888JC GUM Advanced Care Flossers OR Oral-B Super Floss
- Water Floss: Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser
- Interdental Brushes: GUM Proxabrush
- Toothpaste: Crest Pro Health Gum Detoxify Deep Clean Toothpaste
- Mouthwash: Crest Gum Care Mouthwash Oral Rinse
