The Causes of Swollen Gums That You Are Ignoring

Table Of Content

 

Swollen Gums Why?

 

 

You or someone close to you must have experienced swollen gums, right?

The pain can really disrupt your daily activities 😖

 

Before we discuss further about swollen gums, you need to know first what gums are.

Gums are hard tissue in the mouth that is pink in color.

 

Gums function to protect the jawbone and support our dental health.

However, if there is a problem such as swelling, the gums cannot work optimally.

 

Swollen gums occur when the gum tissue enlarges and becomes redder than usual.

This condition is often accompanied by pain and discomfort, and can even bleed when brushing your teeth.

 

 

4 Common Symptoms of Swollen Gums

Symptoms of swollen gums are usually marked by the appearance of discomfort and a redder color than usual.

Here are some symptoms of swollen gums:

 

😩 Red and swollen gums

Inflamed gums will usually look redder, and feel swollen and enlarged.

This is due to inflammation caused by plaque buildup or infection.

 

😩 Pain or soreness

Swollen gums are often accompanied by mild to severe pain.

This pain can occur when chewing food or brushing your teeth, especially if the gums are irritated or infected.

 

😩 Bleeding

Swollen gums tend to bleed more easily, especially when brushing or flossing . This

bleeding usually occurs because the blood vessels in the inflamed gums are more susceptible to rupture.

 

😩 Bad breath

Swelling of the gums can cause the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth and produce a bad smell.

This condition is often accompanied by discomfort in the mouth, which indicates the presence of infection or inflammation.

 

 

How to Recognize Swollen Gums at Home

You can try some simple steps at home to find out how severe your swollen gums are.

 

1. Pay attention to the color of the gums

Check if your gums are bright red or even darker than usual?

Healthy gums are usually light pink, so if they look reddish or purple, it could be a sign of inflammation or swelling.

 

2. Pain or sensitivity

Gently touch your gums with your finger or a toothbrush.

If they feel sore, tender, or sensitive, it could be a sign that you have swollen gums.

Also, pay attention to whether there is pain when eating certain foods, especially hard or acidic ones.

 

3. Bleeding when brushing teeth

If your gums start bleeding when you brush or floss, it's a common symptom of swollen gums.

If the bleeding continues, it could be a sign of serious inflammation.

 

 

Risk Factors for Swollen Gums

The main factor in the appearance of swollen gums is the accumulation of plaque on the teeth.

Plaque that is not cleaned properly will become a place for bacteria to grow and cause inflammation of the gums.

If this condition continues without treatment, it can develop into a more serious gum problem.

 

 

4 Causes of Swollen Gums

There are various causes of swollen gums that can occur:

 

🔴 Gingivitis

 

 

Gingivitis is the most common cause of swollen gums, usually caused by plaque buildup on the teeth.

If plaque is not cleaned properly, bacteria can grow and cause inflammation and swelling of the gums.

 

😫 Hormonal changes

 

 

Changing hormonal conditions, such as in pregnant women, can make the gums more sensitive and prone to inflammation or swelling.

 

🫢 Poor oral hygiene

 

 

If you don't brush your teeth or maintain good oral hygiene, bacteria and plaque can build up.

This can cause irritation and swelling of the gums.

 

🥗 Nutritional deficiencies

 

Vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamin C, can cause swollen, bleeding, and weak gums.

This condition is better known as scurvy .

 

 

Consequences of Leaving Swollen Gums

If you have swollen gums, and feel it continuously...

...you need to be careful ❗

Swollen gums that are left untreated can trigger more serious problems, such as:

 

😰 Tooth and gum damage

Untreated gum swelling can damage the gum tissue and bone that supports the teeth.

This can cause the gums to loosen or even fall out.

 

🦠 Spreading infection

Bacteria from swollen gums can spread to other parts and cause more serious infections.

 

🪥 Difficulty brushing teeth

Swollen gums can cause pain or discomfort when brushing your teeth, which ultimately makes oral hygiene difficult.

 

😨 More severe gum disease

If gum swelling is left untreated, it can cause damage to the gums and teeth.

In addition, the infection can spread to other parts.

 

 

4 Ways to Treat Swollen Gums at Home

There are several ways to treat swollen gums accompanied by pain naturally and quickly that you can do at home:

 

🧊 Compress with cold water or ice cubes

A cold compress on a swollen cheek can help reduce swelling and relieve pain.

Apply an ice pack on the affected area for 10 - 15 minutes, and repeat several times a day 🥰

When compressing, do not do it for too long or too hard, because it can cause skin irritation or worsen the pain.

 

🫗 Gargle with warm salt water

Salt water has antiseptic properties that can help reduce minor infections.

The method is easy, just dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, then gargle for a few minutes. Repeat several times a day.

However, be careful! If used too often or the salt water is too concentrated, it can irritate or dry out the gums.

 

🛡️ Avoid pain triggers

During the infection period, avoid foods and drinks that can worsen the pain, such as:

🚫 Hot and cold foods or drinks
🚫 Hard or crunchy foods
🚫 Sweet foods

 

Bacteria in the mouth will use this content to worsen the infection.

If you continue to consume it, the infection can get worse and healing will take longer.

 

🍵 Warm black tea bags

Black tea contains tannins, which have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Applying warm black tea bags to the infected area can help reduce inflammation and persistent swollen gums.

However, do not leave it on for too long.

Excessive use can cause irritation or worsen the infection.

 

3 Medications to Relieve Swollen Gums

If you've tried all the remedies for Swollen Gums above but still haven't found relief, you can try using medication, if you're okay with potential side effects:

1. Painkiller

A medication used to relieve pain from Swollen Gums. This drug works by blocking pain signals sent to the brain.

However, long-term use can cause side effects such as digestive issues, kidney problems, or an increased risk of heart attacks. Excessive use can also lead to dependency.

2. Naproxen Sodium

A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve tooth pain by reducing inflammation and blocking pain.

It works by reducing the formation of chemicals that cause pain and swelling.

However, its use can cause side effects such as digestive issues, an increased risk of stomach ulcers, kidney problems, or high blood pressure.

It can also increase the risk of heart attacks if used long-term or excessively.

3. Pontalon toothache medication

A medication used to relieve tooth pain. It contains active ingredients that help reduce pain by soothing the nerves involved in the pain process.

However, excessive or long-term use of Pontalon can cause side effects such as dizziness, dry mouth, or digestive issues. It can also cause addiction if used too frequently.

 

 

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WARNING!!!