From minor irritation to a throbbing pain that keeps you up at night, aching gums are no fun. But unless you know what’s causing your pain in the first place, it can be difficult to find relief. We put together this list of the most common causes of gum pain so you can seek the right treatment.
Eight Common Gum Pain Causes
1: Gum Disease
The number one cause of gum pain is definitely gum disease. This infection irritates your gum tissue and causes redness, swelling, and bleeding. Eventually, it makes the gums pull away from the teeth and recede.
Gum disease is caused by excessive bacteria in the mouth, and it’s often the result of poor oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once daily, and having your teeth professionally cleaned can help stop gum disease in its tracks and relieve your pain. Quitting smoking is also essential, as tobacco inhibits your ability to heal and can make gum disease even worse.
When left untreated, gum disease can cause jaw pain and weakness, cause teeth to fall out, and even lead to inflammation in other parts of the body. However, if it’s treated early enough, gum disease can be reversed.
2: Brushing and Flossing Too Roughly
It may seem like aggressive brushing and flossing would remove more plaque. However, being too rough with your toothbrush or floss can actually injure or irritate your gums.
Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush and apply only gentle pressure when cleaning your teeth to prevent gum pain. But if you use a soft toothbrush and your gums still bleed when you brush your teeth, it could be a case of gum disease. See your dentist as soon as possible to discuss treatment.
3: Poor-Fitting Dentures
Full and partial dentures should fit comfortably over your gums so you can smile and speak confidently. Dentures that don’t fit correctly can irritate your gums and lead to painful sores. To eliminate your pain, speak with your dentist about making adjustments or getting a new set that fits.
4: Injury
Minor injuries like burns from hot drinks or cuts from chewing on hard objects can also cause tender gums. To prevent further irritation, you should avoid hot and acidic foods and drinks until your mouth heals (about two weeks). And you should never chew on anything that isn’t edible—hard objects like pens can damage your gums and expose them to germs.
5: Canker Sores
A canker sore is a painful ulcer that can appear anywhere in the mouth, including the gums. These sores are not contagious, and usually clear up on their own. Canker sores typically look like round, red patches, but they can also have a white or yellow center. Canker sores can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, and tend to disappear within two weeks.
6: Oral Cancer
A painful, unexplained sore in your mouth that doesn’t heal on its own could be a sign of oral cancer. Contact your dentist if you notice a sore on your gums or anywhere else in your mouth that won’t go away. The earlier oral cancer is detected, the better your chances of successful treatment.
7: Hormones
Human bodies go through a variety of hormonal changes as they age, many of which can affect their gums. For instance, puberty can cause gum swelling and sensitivity as a result of increased blood flow. Menstruation and pregnancy can both make gums more likely to bleed, and menopause can dry out the gums, making them sore.
8: Vitamin Deficiency
Vitamins C and D both help promote healthy gums, and a deficiency in either vitamin can leave your gums tender and swollen. Make sure to eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of vitamin C (citrus fruits, bell peppers, tomatoes) and vitamin D (dairy products, salmon, tuna) or take a multivitamin supplement.
How to Relieve Gum Pain
For long-term relief, you’ll need to visit a dentist who can determine and treat the root of the problem. But for temporary relief, you can try one or more of the following remedies:
- Gargle with salt water—mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 8oz of warm water
- Avoid acidic foods, which cause more irritation
- Apply a warm or cold compress to your cheek
- Use an over-the-counter numbing gel
- Take anti-inflammatory over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen.
Treating Gum Pain in Flagstaff, Arizona
No matter what the cause of your gum pain may be, it’s important to schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible. We can treat gum disease and other serious dental problems to help you find relief from painful gums. Make an appointment at Country Club Dental by calling 928-526-4314 today.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (2/1/2023). Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels
