SWOLLEN GUMS

SWOLLEN GUMS

Swollen gums normally are enlarged or bulging gums. Sometimes swollen gums are also referred to as gingival swelling. Swollen gums usually are also accompanied by irritation, over-sensitivity or sometimes even pain. Eventually one may also notice bleeding during brushing. Swollen gums are normally attributed to a number of causes.

One major cause of swollen gums is gingivitis. Normally gingivitis is not easily noticeable. It is largely caused by poor oral hygiene such as poor brushing that leads to build up of bacteria and food particles. If not removed, the bacteria and food particles eventually harden and now become very hard to remove through brushing. This build up gradually causes gingivitis results to swelling of gums.

Another major cause of swollen gums is pregnancy. During pregnancy there is usually a hormonal surge that may cause increased blood flow in gums and this causes irritation and over-sensitivity and this definitely leads to swelling of gums. At the same time, this hormonal surge reduces the body's ability to fight bacteria that causes gum infection. This leaves the pregnant individual vulnerable to gingivitis that is eventually manifested through swollen gums.

There are also other not so common causes of swollen gums. A good example is malnutrition. Lack of enough vitamin B and C for example may lead to scurvy. Scurvy is a major cause of gum disease and anemia.

Infections may also lead to gum disease. Such infections include those caused by fungi or viruses. Good examples of such conditions include herpes and thrush. These normally may result to swelling of gums.

Swollen gums no matter the cause have to be taken care of. Measures suitable for taking care of swollen gums include brushing gently to avoid irritation. It is also important to rinse using salty water to try and eliminate bacteria. Rinsing with a lot of water also helps in production of saliva that kills bacteria. It is also advisable to avoid irritants. A good example of an irritant is alcohol or tobacco. One is also advised to avoid strong mouth washes. In case of severe swelling a cold compress on the face helps reduce pain and the swelling too.

Prevention is always better than cure. Swollen gums can be avoided through very simple measures. One such measure is brushing and flossing after every meal. This is what we generally refer to as oral care. Regular visits to a dentist for cleaning can also come in handy in preventing gum disease. Dentists can also give advice on the best toothpastes and toothbrushes to use.

Yet another preventive measure is proper nutrition. Ensure you ingest enough vitamin B and C in your diet to avoid scurvy that eventually gives birth to gum disease. It is also recommended that one takes enough calcium to avoid gum disease.

Sometimes, swollen gums get serious to the extent of requiring medical attention. If the gums are swollen for more than two weeks it is advisable that one visits a dentist for appropriate medication. Treatment ranges from simple measures such as oral rinses and toothpaste recommendations to surgery in case of very extreme gingivitis. However, if proper care is taken, none of this would be necessary since swollen gums would be completely avoided.