There is a frequent complaint received by dentists about swollen gums, whether accompanied by pain or not. It is a medical condition that carries with it many causes and factors that led to its appearance. Therefore, swollen gums require many examinations and a comprehensive medical history for the patient to find out these causes and treat them carefully. Diagnosis and home treatment cannot be trusted only to get rid of this condition, but rather you must rely on specialized doctors to begin an effective treatment plan that will get rid of the problem of swollen gums without complications.
أنواع التهاب اللثة
Gingivitis is a common disease condition that varies in symptoms and severity from one patient to another. It means infection of the gum tissue, causing the gums to swell and become red with bleeding, and sometimes there is a recession in the gum line, but as we mentioned, these symptoms may appear in one case and not in another, so we will quickly learn about the types of gingivitis:
1- Gingivitis due to tartar (simple):
It is the most common type of gingivitis. It results from the accumulation of bacteria and tartar on the teeth and causes swelling and redness of the gums.
2- Ulcerative gingivitis (acute):
It is a very painful type due to weak immunity, so painful gum ulcers appear without swelling, with severe bleeding and bad breath.
3- Gingivitis due to hormonal changes:
This type appears during pregnancy, puberty, or during the menstrual cycle due to hormonal changes that make the gums sensitive and swollen and bleed.
4- Chronic gingivitis:
It is a condition associated with leaving the treatment of gingivitis for a long period, and it is not accompanied by swelling or puffiness, but the patient suffers from receding gums with damage to the tissue and bones around the teeth, and the matter may develop into tooth loss.
5- Gingivitis due to medications:
Some medications may cause the gums to swell and swell, such as blood pressure medications and epilepsy medications. In this type, the doctor may notice an increase in the growth of gum tissue.
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Swollen tooth gums
Gingival swelling is one of the common symptoms of gum and tooth diseases. It means swollen and enlarged gums around the teeth or in the upper cavity of the mouth, appearing red or purple in color and appearing smooth and shiny in texture. It is often accompanied by bleeding and pain. The patient suffers from this condition for several reasons that we will learn about below.
Causes of swollen gums
There are many causes of swollen gums, and they are the first thing the dentist looks for to develop an appropriate treatment plan. This is exactly what the doctors at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital do after examining the patient and finding out the causes of the swelling, which include the following:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco.
- Tooth abscess.
- Some types of gingivitis.
- Tartar accumulation around the teeth.
- Viral or bacterial infection.
- Ill-fitting dentures or braces.
- The presence of a foreign body stuck under the gum.
- Due to side effects of some medications.
- Advanced cases of tooth decay with root infection.
- Suffering from a deficiency of vitamins such as vitamin C or vitamin B.
- Certain medical conditions such as diabetes and HIV.
- Hormonal changes, such as those that occur in girls during puberty and the menstrual cycle, or in women during pregnancy.
Read also:What is the cause of dark gums in children?
Swollen gums in the lower jaw
Studies indicate that the cause of cases of swollen gums in the lower jaw from the inside is malnutrition and a deficiency of vitamin C and B. In this case, swelling and redness increase in the inner part of the lower jaw, which requires taking nutritional supplements rich in these vitamins.
Swollen gums around the tooth with pain
The patient often suffers from swollen gums around the molar with pain due to advanced tooth decay or a fracture in the root, which results in the accumulation of bacteria around the tooth and infection of the gum tissue with the possibility of an abscess. Sometimes the condition develops and leads to swelling of half of the face. Doctors at Al Mousa Hospital advise that you should immediately go to the dental clinic if you encounter this condition.
What causes swollen gums in the upper jaw?
Smoking and chewing tobacco is mainly the cause of swollen gums in the upper jaw, although there are other causes, the most prominent of which are:
- Poor oral hygiene.
- Hormonal changes cause gingivitis.
- Wearing inappropriate upper dentures is one of the most important reasons that affect the health of the upper jaw.
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Treatment of swollen gums
Treating swollen gums depends mainly on knowing the cause of the swelling. The dentist begins by conducting a comprehensive examination of the patient and then develops an appropriate treatment plan from among the following methods:
الأدوية:
The doctor usually prescribes the appropriate antibiotic to treat the bacterial infection causing swollen gums, along with swelling medications and analgesics to reduce pain, with an emphasis on taking the medications at the prescribed times.
Rinsing with salt water:
Dentists always recommend treating swollen gums by rinsing with salt water for a minute, 3 times a day, to reduce gum irritation and cleanse the mouth of harmful bacteria.
Gum cleaning:
In the case of swelling due to tartar, the doctor begins by removing dental tartar after treating the swelling with medications and rinsing the mouth so that the swelling does not return again.
Tooth decay treatment:
As we mentioned, some cases of swelling occur due to tooth decay and bacteria reaching the nerve, which requires treating the tooth decay, cleaning the tooth from the inside, and then filling the nerve. This cannot be done until the swelling disappears.
Treating swollen upper gums from the inside
The cause must be removed first before treating the swelling of the upper gums from the inside. If the cause is an ill-fitting denture, it must be changed immediately so that it does not affect the health of the gums and mouth. In the event of bacterial infections, the doctor prescribes antibiotics to treat them, while adhering to proper rinsing and mouthwash.
Treatment of swollen gums in the lower jaw
Treatment of swollen gums in the lower jaw does not differ much from other areas of the mouth. The lower jaw is examined, the causes are identified, and they are treated in the following ways:
- Appropriate medications
- Dental tartar removal in case of tartar accumulation.
- Paying attention to nutrition and taking vitamins in case of deficiency of vitamin C and vitamin B.
- In the case of tooth decay, the tooth decay is treated and the roots are treated if necessary.
Treating swollen gums above the molar at home
Some people seek to treat swollen gums above the molars at home, such as taking painkillers and anti-swelling medications in order to get rid of the swollen gums, but there is a real problem facing this method of treatment, which is not removing the real cause of the swollen gums above the molars.
The cause is often advanced decay and the accumulation of bacteria around the tooth, so the swelling reappears after a short period, which requires a visit to the doctor to treat the tooth decay and do the necessary work.
When does swollen gums go away?
If you adhere to the doctor’s instructions and do not neglect treatment, the swollen gums will disappear within 5 to 7 days. This concerns simple and moderate swelling. However, in the case of swelling associated with gingivitis, it may last for 10 days. Here, Al Mousa Specialist Hospital recommends some tips that will help in removing the swollen gums quickly:
- Pay attention to cleaning your teeth properly with a thin brush and a suitable paste.
- Pay attention to mouthwash and painkillers to reduce the severity of infections and the pain associated with them.
- Take the medications prescribed by the doctor on time, especially swelling medications and antibiotics.
- Stay away from some foods that increase bloating, such as acidic foods, solid foods, and spicy foods.
- If swelling and redness persist for more than two weeks with treatment, you should immediately visit a doctor to be sure.
Ways to prevent swollen gums
If you want to avoid swollen gums, you must follow the following preventive measures, including:
- Pay attention to brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, especially between meals.
- Visit the dentist every six months;
- Relieve stress, as it may increase the risk of gum disease.
- Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride and is free of sugar or any other flavoring substances that may contribute to tooth decay.
- Change your toothbrush every one to three months.
- Do not use mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth.
Frequently asked questions
We receive many important questions about swollen gums, which we present to you below and answer them in detail:
هل تورم اللثة خطير؟
No, swollen gums are not dangerous except in a few cases when it becomes an inherent medical condition for the patient or is accompanied by ulcers and bone damage around the teeth, or tooth loss. Here, intervention must be taken to find out the cause of the problem so that the symptoms do not worsen.
How do I get rid of swollen gums?
In order to get rid of swollen gums, you must immediately go to the dentist. Do not wait and listen to some useless home experiments. Only the dentist can help you and treat the cause of swollen gums.
What causes swollen gums between teeth?
Swollen gums between teeth are usually caused by gingivitis, a bacterial infection, or tooth decay, so we recommend visiting a dentist to determine the underlying cause and treat it.
What is the treatment for inflammation and swelling of the gums above the molar?
The dentist recommends the appropriate antibiotic to treat inflammation and swelling of the gums above the molar, and then treat the cause of the swelling later. This condition is usually due to tooth decay or nerve injury.
What does swollen gums indicate?
Swollen gums are a common symptom of gum disease, but may also be caused by other factors, such as
- العدوى.
- Malnutrition and deficiency of many vitamins and minerals.
- التغيرات الهرمونية.
When does the swelling of the gums go away?
If you have swollen gums, this swelling can go away within a few days to a week of regular oral care.
If you suffer from swollen gums and do not know the cause of this problem, contact immediately the medical team at the dental clinic inside Al Mousa Specialist Hospital and you will find the best medical service at the hands of specialized doctors and the latest medical devices to examine the teeth and gums to find out the causes of the disease and treat them carefully and precisely.
Medical references
Swollen Gums – clevelandclinic
Gingivitis – mayoclinic
