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How to Treat Gum Pain Medically Reviewed by on February 09, 2023 Many things can cause your gums to hurt, but not all of them require a trip to the dentist. Sore gums can be a sign that you brush your teeth too hard. Other times, braces or dentures can irritate your gums.

Hormone changes related to your period, pregnancy, or menopause can also led to swollen,painful gums. Gum pain can be a sign of a more serious problem like gum disease. Sometimes, things you can do at home can give you relief from sore gums. It can also help you know whether you need help from your dentist or other health care professional.

Try these simple home remedies for achy gums:

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Use only with soft or extra-soft bristles. Use over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers, such as acetaminophen as the label directs.

Other OTC products to treat sore gums include:

Mouthwashes containing hydrogen peroxide Gels that you apply directly to the sore gums

If your gums hurt and you have a white coating on your tongue or cheeks, you could have an infection called thrush. It’s a type of yeast infection. Eating yogurt with live cultures can help. But see a doctor or dentist if it doesn’t clear up. There are many reasons why your gum or gums might hurt.

1. But sometimes, gum problems don’t cause pain right away.
2. The possible reasons range from very minor to very serious.
3. They include: Gum disease.
4. The first signs of gum disease (also called periodontitis) are bleeding, swelling, and redness.
5. They usually happen when you don’t brush or floss your well or often enough.

You might not feel pain during the early stage, called gingivitis. If you don’t do a better job brushing and flossing, your gum disease could get worse. Over time, your gums might start to pull away from your teeth, creating little pockets. Tiny pieces of food can get stuck in them, causing infection.

This can cause the teeth to loosen or the bone holding them in place to break down, which leads to tooth loss. You may or may not feel any pain at this point. Canker sores. These can appear anywhere in your mouth, including your gums. They’re not contagious. They usually show up as red splotches in your mouth, but they can have a white coating, too.

Canker sores tend to go away on their own within a week or two. To ease pain in the meantime, avoid spicy, salty, and acidic foods. You can also use the home remedies above or try an over-the-counter treatment like a numbing gel or coating agent. If your canker sore is larger than a half-inch, doesn’t heal after a couple of weeks, or interferes with eating and drinking, see your doctor or dentist.

Tobacco, If you smoke or use “smokeless” products like chewing tobacco, dip, or snuff, you’re more likely to have gum disease. Because smokeless tobacco is placed between the cheek and gum, it can cause more harm to your mouth than cigarettes. Your gums can pull away from your teeth, and sores could form inside your mouth and on your gums.

It could also lead to, Hormonal changes. Hormones can affect your gums at different times in your life. During puberty, more blood flows to your gums, and they may feel swollen, tender, or painful. You may notice pain during your menstrual periods. When you’re pregnant, your hormone levels surge and can affect your gums.

• Talk to your doctor if you notice that your gums bleed or hurt.
• Once you hit menopause, your hormone levels shift again.
• Your gums could bleed, change colors, burn, or hurt.
• Abscessed tooth,
• When you have an infection by the root of your tooth, it forms a pus pocket, or abscess.
• These don’t always hurt, but many do.

Some abscessed teeth also cause the gums to swell. If your gums hurt or are swollen, see your dentist. You may need a root canal to treat an abscessed tooth. Oral cancer, This can start on your tongue, inner cheek, tonsils, or gums. You or your dentist may see the cancer, because it looks like a sore in your mouth that just won’t heal.

• It might not be painful at first.
• But keep an eye on it – and any sores in your mouth or on your gums.
• Head to the dentist if they don’t heal in a couple of weeks.
• If your gums hurt or bleed for more than a week, see your dentist so they can check you for signs of gum disease.
• If not treated, periodontitis can cause painful abscesses and lead to tooth loss.

Gum disease has also been linked to, so it’s very important to take care of your mouth. See your dentist if you have ongoing gum pain or any of these symptoms:

Bleeding gums Red, swollen gums Gums that pull back from your teeth Dentures that don’t fit right anymore Pain when you chew Loose teeth Sensitivity to hot or cold

To, brush, floss, and get your teeth cleaned regularly. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. © 2023 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. : How to Treat Gum Pain

What is the most common cause of gum pain?

The gums are soft, fleshy tissue that support and protect the teeth. Gum pain can be a sign of irritation, infection, or injury to the gums and teeth. Gum pain can often be a temporary symptom, but other times a person may require dental treatment to prevent further health complications.

Canker sores : These are small, painful ulcers that can occur on the gums. Causes of canker sores can include emotional stress, mouth injuries, an impaired immune system, or other underlying health conditions. Cuts or injuries : Food and objects that enter the mouth can sometimes cause minor cuts or injuries to the gums and teeth. A person may also accidentally bite down on the gums, which can sometimes cause pain and bleeding. Gum disease : Also known as gingivitis, this condition occurs when bacteria build up under the gums and cause inflammation and bleeding. Without treatment, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis and lead to loose teeth. People who smoke are at a higher risk for gum disease than nonsmokers. Hormonal changes : Hormonal fluctuations, especially during pregnancy, can cause a person to experience swelling, pain, and bleeding in the gums. Improper flossing or brushing techniques : Brushing or flossing too vigorously or frequently can sometimes cause the gums to bleed and be painful. Sinusitis : A bacterial or viral infection in the sinuses can cause swelling of the sinus cavity. Some people with sinusitis also experience gum pain and toothache. Tooth abscess : A bacterial infection in the root of a tooth can cause an abscess or pus-filled sac. Tooth abscesses can lead to gum swelling and pain. They can also be serious and spread to other parts of the body, so it is essential to see a dentist quickly.

Treatment for gum pain depends upon the underlying cause. For people with gum disease, for example, a dentist may recommend professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from the gums. They may also prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash, such as one containing alcohol or chlorhexidine, to kill excess bacteria and prevent the future build up of plaque.

If a person has severe gum disease, a dentist may recommend surgery to repair bone or gum loss that the condition has caused. Sometimes, this can include bone and tissue grafting to encourage the growth of new, healthy tissue. People with tooth abscesses may require root canal treatment. During this procedure, a dentist will remove the infected pulp, or soft tissue inside the tooth, and the abscess from the root and then repair and seal the damaged tooth.

Gum pain due to sinusitis usually lessens once the infection clears up. For bacterial infections, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics, People with gum pain that they cannot explain should see their dentist for a checkup. However, some simple home remedies may help relieve the discomfort.

Gargling salt water, A person can prepare a gargle by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water. Clove oil, Applying clove oil to gums can reduce pain and swelling. Pain medication, Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help to reduce gum pain. Brushing carefully, Brush sore, swollen, or bleeding areas of the gums gently.

Avoiding foods that can irritate or scratch the gums may also help while they are healing. Examples include:

acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and tomatoessharp or scratchy foods, such as chips, nuts, or pretzelsspicy foods, such as those containing chilis or other hot peppers

For people with canker sores, taking vitamin and mineral supplements, such as iron and vitamin B-12, may help reduce gum pain. Good oral hygiene can help prevent gum pain and other dental issues. This includes:

brushing teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste for at least 2 minutesflossing once dailyusing a dental mouthwash dailyhaving regular checkups with a dentist, such as every 6 months

If a person stops smoking, this can also improve gum health. Smoking can reduce blood flow to the gums, which may impair healing and lead to discomfort. It is advisable for people with severe, persistent, or recurring gum pain to see a dentist for a checkup.

bad breath that does not improve with tooth brushingbleeding gumsgums that are recedingloose teethpain when chewingred gumssensitive teeth

There are many possible causes of gum pain, including gum disease, infections, abscesses, and ulcers. People with gum pain they cannot explain may wish to consider seeing a dentist for a checkup. Without treatment, some causes of gum pain can lead to tooth decay or tooth loss.

What is gum disease pain like?

Gums may be red, swollen, tender, or bleeding. The gums may pull away from the teeth making them appear longer. Loose or sensitive teeth. Pain while chewing.

Does gum pain mean gum disease?

The Warning Signs of Gum Disease | College of Dentistry | University of Illinois Chicago We ‘re usually told to take care of our teeth, but what about our gums? Your gums also play an important role in oral health. This is because without proper care, periodontal (gum) disease can take hold, and cause tooth and even bone loss in the mouth.

Symptoms pointing to gum disease commonly don’t include pain, especially early on, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. “It’s sort of like hypertension in that way, and I use the comparison to explain to patients why they may not have experienced any symptoms before they come in,” says, a clinical associate professor and board certified periodontist at UIC.

As with other chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes or heart disease, you may be affected by gum disease, yet feel okay. Still, there are some warning signs you can watch for that may indicate you have some form of gum disease. Paying attention to these signs, along with proper oral hygiene and regularly consulting your dentist is a healthy strategy for avoiding a disease that affects about half of adults in the US.

• Periodontal (gum) disease is an inflammatory disease that affects the tissues that surround and support your teeth, and is a major cause of tooth loss in adults,
• The disease is usually painless, yet, if left untreated can lead to major tissue damage, or even tooth and bone loss.
• Periodontal diseases range from mild forms such as gingivitis – an inflammation of the gums caused by bacterial infection leading to plaque and tartar buildup – to more advanced and chronic forms that can result in major damage to the soft tissue and even tooth loss.

Chronic periodontitis, the most advanced form of the disease, progresses relatively slowly in most people and is typically more evident in adulthood. Early detection is key to controlling and treating periodontal disease before it becomes worse. Every day, food can get trapped in the space between where our teeth and gums attach below the gum line.

Without regular brushing and flossing to remove it, bacteria builds up as plaque on the surface of your teeth. As plaque advances, it hardens and becomes tartar. The gums may get infected when the plaque extends below the gum line. Once this happens, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily. Gingivitis can usually be reversed with a good brushing and flossing routine, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist.

Un-treated gingivitis may advance to periodontitis, where the gums pull away from the teeth and form bigger spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected. As the bacterial infection increases, the plaque continues to spread below the gum line. While your body’s immune system fights the bacteria, it may also start to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place.

If left un-treated, the bones, and soft tissue that support the teeth are eventually destroyed and the teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed. Gums that are bleeding or aching may be the result of gum disease. Healthy gums generally won’t bleed when you brush and floss. Without regular brushing and flossing, the dental plaque created from bacteria will continue to build up and eventually begin to irritate the gums, making them red, swollen or sensitive, and susceptible to bleeding.

That bacteria film, or plaque attacks the healthy tissue around the teeth, and can eventually destroy the fibers that attach your gum tissue to your teeth. This will cause the gums to become inflamed and irritated, which may cause them to bleed when brushing or flossing.

• This is called gingivitis and is the first stage of gum disease.
• If my gums are bleeding, should I stop flossing? Actually no.
• If you don’t floss, the plaque buildup can get even worse.
• If you have never flossed before, your gums might bleed the first few times you use floss.
• Eep flossing gently and the bleeding typically stops within a week or two.

However, if the bleeding doesn’t stop, you should consult your dentist. Are you a smoker? Here’s something to else to know about bleeding gums: smoking restricts the normal blood flow to the gums masking the early warning signs of gum disease., Clinical Assistant Professor and Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery in UIC Department of Periodontics explains: “Bleeding gums while brushing and flossing are a common sign of gum disease.

• However, smoking restricts the blood flow to the gums and smokers may not experience this early warning sign.” Have you heard the term, ‘long in the tooth?’ This phrase originated with horses, whose teeth – unless our own – continue to grow and be worn down as they age.
• Rest assured, your teeth won’t grow, and should not begin to look longer as you grow older.

However, with advancing gum disease, your teeth can appear to be longer because the gums that surround them are receding away. Gum recession is the loss of gum tissue from around the tooth, exposing the root. Receding gums becomes a health concern when the roots of the teeth become exposed, leaving the teeth at risk of decay, infection, and loss.

• The exposure of root surfaces and receding gum line causes not only aesthetic concerns, but also potentially serious tooth sensitivity issues.
• Healthy gums should fit snugly around each tooth, with the distance between the gum tissue and its attachment to the tooth only one to three millimeters in depth.

Advancing gum disease can lead to deeper than normal spaces around the teeth called periodontal pockets. In later stage gum disease, the pockets become so deep that it becomes difficult to remove the food and debris by brushing and flossing. This causes the pockets to become progressively deeper and worsens the disease further – a virtuous cycle.

1. Sometimes, gum recession is related to the way you brush your teeth.
2. We are starting to see more patients brushing too hard or using hard-bristle toothbrushes that cause gum recession,” says, Clinical Assistant Professor and Board Certified Periodontist and Dental Implant Surgeon in UIC Department of Periodontics.

“We advise our patients to use either a soft bristle toothbrush or an electric powered toothbrush with pressure sensors and then demonstrate proper and effective brushing techniques to minimize the harmful effects of gum recession and its related symptoms,” added Dr.

Luan. Gum recession occurs gradually over time and can be a more serious problem for patients if not appropriately addressed early during regular visits with the periodontist and dentist. To help assess gum health changes over time, your dentist takes measurements along the outer surface of the tooth to gauge how much gum has recessed or migrated over time.

As the measurement varies from the normal range, your dentist can make recommendations and may suggest consulting a periodontist, (a specialist in diagnosing and treating gum disease) involved if needed. If the recession and pocket formation is severe, then various treatments are available.

1. These include deep cleaning, sometimes called scaling and root planing.
2. By removing all of the tartar and plaque from your teeth and underneath your gums, the gums can heal and tighten around the tooth again.
3. If you have no significant bone loss, this may be the only treatment you need.
4. However, in cases where deep periodontal pockets still remain, surgical treatments may be recommended to stabilize the advance of the disease.

Some people are more prone to the inflammatory causes of receding gums due to having more delicate tissue. Thinner gum tissue makes it more likely than plaque will cause inflammation. Do you experience uncomfortable sensations in your teeth when you consume hot or cold drinks, crunch on ice, or expose them to the cold air? Dentin hypersensitivity, commonly referred as tooth sensitivity, can be caused by exposed teeth roots and thin tooth enamel (the hard covering that protects teeth).

• And in some cases, gum recession or pocketing can lead to unusually sensitive teeth.
• The gums cover the tooth roots, which have no enamel to protect them.
• When those roots are exposed it can be quite uncomfortable and even painful because the dentin has tiny tunnels that transmit the information directly to the nerves inside your teeth.

If the sensitivity becomes progressively worse, consult your dentist – it may be due to gum disease. All of us have had bad breath at one time or another, and it is usually easy to get rid with breath mints, mouth wash or brushing. However, having bad breath all the time may be a sign of poor oral health due to excessive bacteria, tooth decay, or even gum disease.

Persistent bad breath is usually caused by the smelly gases released by the bacteria that coat your teeth, gums and tongue. As with the other warning signs, a dental consultation and treatment can help with persistently smelly breath and it’s causes. In addition to knowing the warning systems, it is also important to know that there are several factors that can increase your risk of gum disease.

Here are some of the biggest associated risk factors:

Smoking, Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontal disease. Additionally, smoking can lower the chances for successful treatment. Diabetes, People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing infections for many diseases. Hormonal changes in girls/women, These changes can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop. Other illnesses and their treatments. Diseases such as AIDS and its treatments can also negatively affect the health of gums, as can treatments for cancer. Medications, There are hundreds of prescription and over the counter medications that can reduce the flow of saliva, which has a protective effect on the mouth. Without enough saliva, the mouth is vulnerable to infections such as gum disease. And some medicines can cause abnormal overgrowth of the gum tissue; this can make it difficult to keep teeth and gums clean.

Here are the facts:

If you are a smoker, you have twice the risk for periodontal disease compared with a nonsmoker. The more cigarettes you smoke – and the longer you smoke – the greater your risk becomes. Tobacco use in any form—cigarettes, pipes, and smokeless (spit) tobacco—raises your risk for periodontal disease.

The most important thing to remember about all of these warning signs is early detection. The earlier the problems are found, the more effective the correction will be. If you feel you are at risk of gum disease, consult your dentist for an assessment. We provide a full range of periodontal care from non-invasive therapies such as deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) to more advanced surgery procedures such as pocket reduction, grafting, crown lengthening, dental implants, and regenerative procedures to manage periodontal and implant disease.

Our approach is personalized and focuses on educating patients about the scientific link between periodontal disease and systemic disorders such diabetes, cardiovascular disease and complication during pregnancy. World-Class Expertise. As an educational and research institution based here in Chicago, UIC is uniquely positioned to lead the way in periodontal disease care and research.

Our periodontics team has an average tenor of 15+ years, and many of our periodontists are board certified. Team of Specialists in One Location. The great thing about getting your dental care at UIC is that we have all the dental specialties – including periodontists – working closely together to coordinate dental care when needed.

Our general dentists can refer you to our internal specialists as with general dentists anywhere in Chicago. Highest Standards of Care, Our general dentists and specialists are familiar with and apply the latest approaches based on scientific evidence that gives the highest levels of confidence in what is the best ways to deliver care.

Patients get the advantage of being able to get consultation from a number of experts for the most optimal overall care plan. Care Options to Fit Your Budget, We offer three care options to fit different budgets and time commitments. Our is great for patients on a budget (or without insurance) and have some extra time for general dental care.

Our, who are training to become specialists (such as periodontists), are another option to get more specialized and advanced care, like treatment for advanced periodontitis. And,, Either way, you get a team of dental professionals dedicated to our mission of changing the future of oral health in Chicago, and around the world.

: The Warning Signs of Gum Disease | College of Dentistry | University of Illinois Chicago

Can depression cause gum pain?

How your mental health affects your teeth According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, almost two-thirds of people with depression reported having a toothache in the last year — significantly higher than the population on average.

What’s more, half of all people with depression rated their teeth condition as fair or poor. A scientific review of related studies found a strong link between gum disease and mood conditions like stress, distress, anxiety, depression and loneliness. The most obvious explanation for the link comes from the behavioral effects of stress, depression and anxiety.

When you suffer from these conditions, you might lose focus on oral health habits, which can lead to significant dental issues. If you’re depressed, for example, you’re more likely to brush and floss at irregular intervals, skip dentist visits, eat an unhealthy diet and smoke.

Biologically, depression and anxiety cause several factors that impact oral health. The stress they create manifests itself in the body as a hormone called cortisol. As cortisol levels increase, the immune system gets weaker. This can leave you vulnerable to mouth conditions like gum inflammation (gingivitis) and gum disease (periodontitis).

In addition, medications prescribed for depression and anxiety can cause dry mouth. This lack of saliva can mean that food debris, plaque and bacteria aren’t getting rinsed from teeth easily, which can make it easier for cavities to form. Anxiety, in particular, tends to be associated with several oral health issues.

1. If you have anxiety, you’re more susceptible to canker sores, dry mouth and teeth grinding (bruxism).
2. As with depression, these issues may be attributed to a lack of oral care or as side effects of anxiety medication.
3. Luckily, when depression or anxiety takes a toll on oral health, there are ways to fight back.

The simplest step you can take to maintain your oral health is to brush twice a day and floss daily. Set a timer to remind you to brush and floss, and make an appointment with your dentist. He or she may recommend a nightguard to stop grinding, or prescription fluoride toothpaste for cavity prevention.