Medical Treatments For Swollen Gums

Medical Treatments for Swollen Gums

When it comes to oral hygiene, the gums are the most neglected part of the mouth. Most people concentrate on their teeth to prevent bad odor and cavities. However, it’s important to think about the gums since they also have major functions in the mouth.

The gums are responsible for anchoring the teeth to the jaw and providing protection to the roots. Having swollen gum around one tooth is quite common and may happen due to several different reasons. Swollen gums should be taken seriously, especially because they can be a sign of a serious illness or inflammation.

The good thing is that there are many ways on how to treat swollen gums and medical treatments that can help quickly.

Causes of Swollen Gums

Below are some main causes of swollen gums. Some of the causes may need medical treatments, but some may only require a home remedy.

Brushing and Flossing Techniques

Many people know that poor oral hygiene may cause swollen gums, but poor brushing and flossing techniques may have the same effect. Flossing too roughly or too often may cause your gums to swell, and brushing too harshly or using an inadequate toothbrush may cause inflammation as well.

Oral Infections

Viruses and fungi can also cause gum irritation. Some STDs, such as herpes, may cause swollen gums if they are not treated as soon as possible.

Pregnancy

Women’s hormones are very active all their lives, but in pregnancy, they are more active. The increase in hormone activity may subsequently increase blood flow to the gums. This may, in turn, cause gum tenderness or even swelling. Frequent hormonal changes may minimize your body’s ability to ward off bacteria that cause gum swellings.

Gum Disease

Swollen gums can also be caused by gum diseases such as periodontitis or gingivitis. Periodontitis is a more severe form of gum disease and should be treated as a serious gum disease. A less serious one is known as gingivitis, but both gum diseases should be treated sooner rather than later. Both these diseases cause all-around inflammation of the gums rather than only swollen gum around one tooth.

Irritation

Gum swellings can be caused by allergic reactions or even after dental restorations. The allergic reactions may be seen as redness of the gum, irritation, swollen gum around one tooth or a specific part of the gums.

Dry Mouth

Saliva provides the gums with the ability to fight off various types of bacteria. When the mouth is too dry, and no saliva is formed, gingivitis and other bacterial infections may occur. So if you can find the cause of dry mouth and solve it, your problem with swollen gums may stop. Drinking more water can resolve dry mouth.

Dental Work

When you undergo certain dental restorations, such as braces or implantations, you may experience swelling. You can also experience swollen gum around one tooth if you’ve had partial implants done. Your dentist will give you advice on how to treat swollen gums because it’s a common thing after these kinds of procedures.

Malnutrition

Deficiency in some essential vitamins and minerals can be the cause of swollen gums. For example, vitamin C plays a major role in maintaining and repairing your teeth and gums. The deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals is directly related to gum disease and inflammation, so if you experience pain or high sensitivity in your mouth, you should consider adding more fruits and vegetables to your regular diet.

Home Remedies for Swollen Gums

Some swollen gums may not need medical treatments for them to heal. Some may only require an improvement in oral hygiene, and others, a few home remedies.

Below are a few home remedies on how to treat swollen gums.

1. Stronger oral hygiene may put an end to gum swelling or even gum disease such as gingivitis. So you may start with brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly.
2. Turmeric gel may also be a good home remedy for swollen gums, especially if you have swollen gum around one tooth. Turmeric contains curcumin. This ingredient has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Increase your water intake each day. Sufficient water intake will stimulate the production of saliva, which in turn decreases bacteria.
4. Avoid using irritants such as strong toothpaste, mouthwashes, alcohol, and tobacco. You should also replace your toothbrush regularly and choose high-quality ones.
5. Aloe vera is also a good home remedy for gum swellings. Using aloe vera gel orally should be approached with care since it may irritate some people.

When to Look For Medical Treatment

Depending on the cause of gum swelling, you may decide to look for medical intervention. While some causes of gum irritation may be treated with a few home remedies, some serious causes such as gingivitis and periodontitis may require medical treatment which can be done only by professionals such as Gables Sedation in Miami.

If you have regular dental visits, a dentist will quickly notice the onset of a gum problem and treat it. If you have regular deep cleaning sessions, gum problems may be a rare occurrence.

For a dentist to administer the medical treatment for gum swelling, they must first identify the cause. For example, if the swelling is caused by gingivitis, a dentist will prescribe medicine or other forms of treatment.

Before anything else, the dentist will ask you questions about the swelling, like when it started, whether it’s painful or not, or is it localized. If the dentist can’t find the cause of a prolonged gum swelling, they may conduct an X-ray.

The dentist may also ask if you are pregnant to know if the pregnancy caused the swelling. A different toothpaste may be recommended to ease or cure the swelling.

Some severe cases of gingivitis may even require surgery. A common treatment procedure is known as scaling. This method requires the dentist to scrape away any debris like tartar, plaque, or diseased gums off the roots. Even though it sounds scary, it’s a painless process.

Expert Opinion on Swelling

There are many causes of gum swellings, and it may be difficult for you to know which treatment is the best. A visit to the dentist is always a good option, especially if the swelling has been around for over two weeks.

An expert will accurately diagnose the underlying issue and give you an expert opinion. A professional opinion will not only combat further damage but will also help you avoid future pain.

If your swelling can’t be solved using a simple home remedy, an expert opinion is needed. If you are in Miami, you might want to consult the Gables sedation and family dentistry.

The experts at Gables may have more information on gum swellings and immediate solutions to your specific issue.

If you suffer from swollen gums or you know someone who has the same problem, make sure you share this article on social media so more people can solve their gum problems.