Discussions on oral health and hygiene typically revolve around keeping teeth cavity-free and sparkling white. Gums come into focus only when they become puffy or start bleeding. The most common reason for swollen gums is plaque build-up that allows the bacteria within to release toxins that infect the gums. Even if you maintain a regular brushing and flossing schedule, you may still experience swelling of the gums. Some of the more common reason why this may happen:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis, a minor gum disease, is one of the most common reasons for swollen gums. Plaque when left untreated forms stubborn tartar, which can turn into gingivitis and even lead to tooth loss due to periodontitis, an advanced gum disease, according to https://www.healthline.com. Whenever your gums swell or start to bleed, you should consult a dentist who can show you the best way of ensuring dental health.
Food Debris Stuck In the Teeth
If the swelling in the gums is restricted to a small area, the reason could very well be a food particle trapped below the gum line. The inflammation is caused by the body trying to fight off the infection developing at the site. If the pain or the gum swelling does not subside, a visit to the dentist is required.
Infection
Gums can commonly swell, especially in children, due to gingivostomatitis, which is a result of a bacterial or viral infection. The symptoms may include oral canker sores too. Generally, the body's defense mechanism is sufficient to fight off the infection, however, if the discomfort is too much, it may require the dentist to sanitize the infected site and you may be also prescribed antibiotics for faster recovery. You could be asked to undergo tests for detection of the cause of the infection. Such tests invariably use Mybiosourcebiochem kits as they are undoubtedly the most dependable.
Vitamin Deficiency
While vitamin deficiency is largely a thing of the past in the US, it can still be sometimes experienced by the elderly, who may not be having a nutritionally balanced diet. Swollen gums may result from a lack of vitamins B and C. Patients can experience good relief by having vitamin C that prevents the gums from getting infected and swelling by the plaque. Boosting the intake of Vitamin K can also be very useful as its deficiency can also cause gums to swell and bleed.
Hormonal Changes
Women can experience swollen gums when they are undergoing periods of hormonal changes like puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, and even when using birth control pills. The reason for gums to swell is that the hormones affect the manner the gum tissues respond to the toxins released from the bacteria in plaque and tartar. The irritation and swelling of the gums increase when there is an increase in the levels of estrogen and progesterone. If gum swelling happens despite good oral care, your doctor may recommend vitamin or hormonal therapy.
As may be seen, there can be numerous causes of swollen and bleeding gums. While good oral care and hygiene are a must, the condition can be sparked off by innumerable other things, which your dentist or doctor will be able to diagnose and treat.