Swollen Gums

Swollen Gums Symptoms

The intensity of swollen gums symptoms varies by person. Some people feel slight discomfort, whilst others have severe pain or bleeding. Common signs include:

• Red, puffy, or enlarged gums
• Tender or painful swollen gums while brushing or chewing
• Bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
• Swollen and bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
• Receding gums exposing more of the tooth
• Loose teeth or sensitivity (in advanced cases)

If you notice persistent swollen bleeding gums, it’s essential to get evaluated by a dentist.

What Causes Swollen Gums?

Understanding how swollen gums can signal underlying health issues, such as diabetes or vitamin deficiencies, helps you recognize when to seek medical advice beyond dental care.Understanding what causes swollen gums helps ensure proper care. The most common causes include:

• Poor oral hygiene leads to plaque and gingivitis
• Gum infections caused by bacteria
• Food particles trapped between teeth and gums
• Ill-fitting dentures or braces are causing irritation
• Vitamin deficiencies (especially vitamin C)
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy
• Certain medications that affect the gum tissue
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Systemic conditions such as diabetes

Ignoring the underlying reason for swollen gums may allow minor gum irritation to develop into periodontal disease.

Diagnosis for Swollen Gums

Swollen gums are usually a sign of inflammation, infection, or irritation. To identify the cause, the dentist or doctor will review your oral hygiene habits, medical history, medications, and symptoms like bleeding, pain, or bad breath. A physical examination of the gums helps detect plaque buildup, gum pockets, redness, or signs of gum disease. In some cases, further tests are needed to check for underlying health conditions.

Diagnosis may include:

• Visual oral examination
• Checking for plaque, tartar, or gum pockets
• Dental X-rays to assess bone and tooth support
• Review of medications and nutritional status
• Blood tests (if vitamin deficiency or systemic disease is suspected)

Swollen Gums Treatment

Treatment for swollen gums depends on the cause. After diagnosis, your dentist may recommend:

• Professional dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar
• Medicated mouth rinses or antibiotics (if infection is present)
• Correction of faulty dental restorations or dentures
• Nutritional supplements, if deficiencies are detected
• Treatment of underlying gum disease (scaling/root planing)

At home, you can support healing by:

• Brushing gently with a soft-bristle toothbrush
• Flossing daily to remove trapped food
• Rinsing with warm salt water
• Staying hydrated
• Avoiding smoking and sugary foods.

If you have swollen gums that don't go away, a lot of pain, or bleeding that won't stop, don't just treat it at home. This will make sure that a professional helps you right away.

When Should You See a Dentist?

Seek professional care urgently if you experience:

• Swollen and bleeding gums lasting longer than one week
• Intense pain or pus around the gums
• Fever or facial swelling
• Loose teeth or difficulty chewing
• Recurrent painful, swollen gums

Early treatment of swollen gums protects oral health and prevents permanent gum and bone damage.

How to Prevent Swollen Gums

Adopting good oral-care habits can significantly reduce the risk of gum inflammation:

• Brush twice daily and floss regularly.
• Schedule routine dental checkups and cleanings
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins
• Avoid tobacco products
• Manage medical conditions like diabetes