Gum Pain
The gums are a soft, fleshy tissue that supports and protects the teeth. Gum pain can be a sign of irritation, infection, or damage to the structure and tissue of the gums or teeth. This pain can often be a temporary symptom. But in some cases, a person with gum pain may want to see a dentist to prevent more serious problems.
What causes gum pain?
This pain can start from a slight burning sensation or turn into severe and debilitating pain. Some possible causes of gum pain include:
Mouth sore or ulcers: Ulcers are small, painful sores that can form on the gums. Some of the causes of ulcers are:
Emotional stress
Injury in the mouth
Immune system disorders
Or other problems and diseases
Incisions or injuries
Food and objects that enter the mouth can sometimes cause minor cuts or damage and toothache. The person may also accidentally bite the gums, which can sometimes cause pain and bleeding.
Gum disease is also commonly known as gingivitis. It occurs when bacteria penetrate under the gums and cause inflammation and bleeding. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis or gum infection. People who smoke are more at risk for gum infection than non-smokers.
Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations, especially during pregnancy, cause people to experience swelling, bleeding, and pain in the gums.
Improper flossing or brushing: Applying pressure or carelessness while brushing and flossing can sometimes cause bleeding and sore gums.
Sinusitis: A bacterial or viral infection in the sinuses can cause swelling in the sinus space. Some people with sinusitis usually experience toothache and toothache.
Dental abscess: A bacterial infection in the root of the tooth can cause an abscess (pus-filled sac). Tooth abscesses can lead to swollen gums and pain in them. Dental abscesses can also be serious and can spread to other parts of the body. Therefore, timely treatment and treatment of abscesses is very important.
Treatment of gingival pain depends on the underlying cause. For example, your dentist may recommend that you use professional brushing and cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from people with gum disease or inflammation. Patients may also use an antibacterial mouthwash such as chlorhexidine to kill excess and harmful bacteria in the mouth.
If a person has severe gum disease, the dentist may perform reconstructive surgery to repair part of the gum or jaw bone that was damaged as a result of the disease. Sometimes, surgical treatment can include bone and tissue grafts to stimulate the formation and repair of new, healthy tissue.
People with dental abscesses may need endodontic treatment. During this procedure, the dentist removes the infected pulp or soft tissue inside the tooth and abscess from the root and repairs and seals the damaged tooth.
Gum pain from sinusitis also usually subsides after the infection clears or disappears. For bacterial infections, your doctor may use antibiotics to treat it.
Prevention of gum pain
Having good oral hygiene can help prevent gum pain and other dental problems. To prevent this, consider the following:
Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day
Floss once a day.
Try to use quality mouthwashes regularly.
See a dentist every 6 months, even if you are healthy and have no problems with your mouth and teeth
If you smoke, try to reduce and stop smoking. Quitting smoking can help improve gum health. Quitting smoking can increase blood flow to the gums, which can improve gum health and durability.
When should we see a dentist?
People with severe, chronic, or recurrent gum pain are advised to see a dental professional. A dentist can examine the gums, teeth, and mouth for signs of infection, tooth decay, and other dental conditions.
If you have gum pain with any of the following symptoms, you should see a dentist:
Bad breath that does not improve with brushing
Bleeding gums
Retraction of the gums
Loose teeth
Feeling pain when chewing
Redness of the gums
Sensitivity and irritability of teeth
There are many possible causes of gum pain. For example, conditions such as gum disease and inflammation, infection, abscesses, and ulcers can cause this pain. People with gum pain who are unable to find and find the cause of the pain should go to a specialized dental clinic. If left untreated, gum pain can eventually lead to problems such as tooth decay. Therefore, in case of such pain, it is better to see a dentist so they can evaluate you.