From time to time, we get sore gums. Causes for sore gums can be minor, such as from hard brushing or too much flossing, or from something more serious, like gum disease.
Preventing Sore Gums
Good dental hygiene starts with daily brushing and flossing. Using a hard toothbrush or being over aggressive with brushing and flossing can cause gums to become inflamed and bleed. A soft bristled toothbrush is recommended.
What Causes Sore Gums
Gum disease, often called periodontal disease, will cause gums to be red, swollen and bleed. This is usually associated with not flossing or brushing frequently enough. If not addressed, gum disease can lead to gingivitis and possible tooth loss.
Hormonal changes, especially the increase of progesterone, can lead to red swollen gums, swollen salivary glands and bleeding gums.
Gum recession is a form of gum disease. Receding gums is when your gum tissue pulls away from your teeth, exposing the roots underneath. This makes your teeth more vulnerable to cavities, more gum disease and tooth infections. Your teeth can become more sensitive when brushing or when eating as well. If your teeth are suddenly more sensitive than they used to be, gum recession could be the cause.
Receding gums can mean that you are not eligible for tooth straightening programs like Invisalign without expensive gum surgery first.
Reduce Stress to Improve Gum and Overall Health
We all know that stress causes inflammation in our body (or we should) – and stress can also be a factor in swollen gums. Reducing stress in your life is always a good idea!
A highly acidic diet can cause the enamel on your teeth to erode over time. The result of this is sharp pain while consuming hot food and hot and cold drinks.
What To Do if you Have Sore Gums
If you are in pain after brushing your teeth or suffer from any of the other symptoms above, a warm salt gargle is a great option to help rinse away bacteria and soothe sore gums. However, If swollen gums, bleeding and pain persists, call our office at 604-738-1816 to make an appointment. We also recommend dental cleaning appointments every six months.
