Posts Tagged ‘swollen gums’

A person can be miserable if they experience the pain and discomfort brought about by swollen gums. Not only will they feel very irritated, their gums will also become so sensitive to everything that comes in their mouth. If this is happening to you, then it will affect your day-to-day live and it brings further embarrassment as well. That is why a lot of people are looking for ways on how to treat swollen gums.

There are many reasons why a person experience swelling of the gums. The most common cause is by bacterial infection due to the accumulation and build-up of plaque on the teeth. The bacteria in the plaque produce chemicals that cause an inflammatory response in the gum tissue. If you don’t have any proper oral hygiene like regular brushing and flossing at least twice a day, then this can be the main culprit of your misery. Not only will it cause swollen gums, it can also include gum irritation and other oral health problems like gingivitis and periodontitis which may lead to tooth loss.

Not having a well balanced diet is another reason why a person has swollen gums. Deficiency of Vitamin C, folic acid and iron can result to swollen gums. Vitamin C is needed to help reduce the periodontal pockets that harbor harmful bacteria that cause swollen gums. Folic acid is needed for the production of red blood cells, protein synthesis, tissue growth and normal cellular function and also helps support blood flow by improving blood vessels dilation. Lack of iron is often associated with ulceration in the mouth which may further contribute to swelling of the gums

Smoking also brings about swollen gums. Cigarettes and other tobacco products can be extremely damaging to the gums due to the nicotine and other smoke toxins and chemicals that can inflame the gum tissue. These can cut the amount of oxygen to the tissues causing the inflammation. It also weakens the immune system and blocks antibodies which are the body’s natural defenses against bacteria and other disease-causing agents. When the immune system begins to malfunction, infection begins to grow.

Hormones are also one of the leading causes that affect the dental health of most women. Hormonal flux during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause bring about red, swollen, and sensitive gums. An increase in the sex hormones such as progesterone and possibly estrogen can cause an increase of blood circulation to the gums. This will then lead to an increase in the gum’s sensitivity and a greater reaction to any irritation. This makes the gums swell, turn red and tender.