Swollen Gums

Swollen gums are typically caused by gingivitis (gum disease). Your gums may look unusually shiny and smooth. Swollen gums may appear to be reddish or purple. They may bleed. Swollen gums can get better on their own, especially if you have routine professional cleanings and floss and brush your teeth twice a day. But swelling that’s very noticeable or lasts for more than two weeks could be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.

What are the most common causes of swollen gums?

Gum disease (gingivitis) is the most common cause of swollen gums. Other causes include dental issues, oral appliances, poor oral hygiene, hormonal changes, medications and certain medical conditions.

Dental issues

Anything that affects your dental health can cause swollen gums, from cavities to a piece of popcorn stuck under your gumline. Your gums may swell if you have:

• An abscessed tooth: This may be a pocket of pus around a tooth or an infection in your tooth pulp.
• A root fracture: This refers to a crack in your tooth that extends to your tooth’s root.
• Periodontitis: This is a bacterial infection that destroys your gums and leads to tooth and bone loss.
• Plaque buildup: Dental plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria on your teeth. Plaque that builds up on your teeth can cause cavities and gum disease.

Oral appliances

Oral appliances like orthodontic treatment (braces) and dentures are essential dental treatments. But issues with braces and dentures can cause swollen gums. Dental plaque that builds up around your braces’ brackets and wires can cause swelling. So can dentures that don’t fit properly.

Hormonal changes

Changes in hormone levels can affect your gums. For example, puberty boosts children’s hormone levels. That increase boosts blood circulation to their gums. If your child doesn’t brush and floss, they can develop puberty gingivitis, which causes swollen gums.

Pregnancy and menopause are other times when hormonal changes can make your gums swell. For example, your estrogen and progesterone levels increase during pregnancy. You have more blood circulation to your gums, so they swell.

Your risk of gum disease increases during menopause as your estrogen levels drop, and you have less blood circulation to your gums. Menopause also weakens the connective tissue in your gums.

Medical conditions

Medical conditions may cause swollen gums. Examples are diabetes, oral infections like gingivostomatitis, fungal infections like oral thrush and viral infections like oral herpes or HIV. Vitamin B and C deficiencies may also affect your gums, making them swell.

How are swollen gums treated?

Your treatment will depend on the cause. If you have gum disease, a dentist or periodontist will recommend treatment. If dental issues cause swollen gums, your dentist may recommend treatments, including:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Proper oral hygiene
• Deep dental cleaning
• Osseous surgery
• Root canal or tooth extraction to treat an abscessed tooth.

Sometimes, medical conditions can cause swollen gums. Your dentist may refer you to a primary care provider for treatment.

What are the possible complications or risks of not treating swollen gums?

Gum disease is the most common cause of swollen gums. Without treatment, gum disease can worsen and cause periodontitis or infection.

Can swollen gums be prevented?

Yes, you can prevent swollen gums by:

• Having routine dental visits
• Brushing and flossing your teeth
• Eating well to prevent vitamin deficiencies and tooth decay
• Quitting tobacco and other substances that may irritate your gums

When should swollen gums be treated by a dentist or other healthcare provider?

You should contact a dentist if your swollen gums last longer than two weeks or get worse. A bump on your gums or very painful gums are other reasons to contact a dentist.

What can I do to make my swollen gums feel better?

Daily brushing and flossing will help. You could also try rinsing your mouth with warm water that has a pinch of salt. The combination of warm water and salt may soothe your sore gums and ease swelling. And placing an ice pack on your face a few times during the day may make you feel better and reduce swelling.