Beyond Tooth Troubles: What Causes Sore & Inflamed Gums?

Whatever you may have thought, not every annoying oral issue has to do with your teeth. Your gums can also be a source of discomfort; these mouth tissues will get inflamed if you don’t look after them. Should that happen, you may suffer from a chronic soreness that takes effort to treat. Luckily, your local Azle dentist can help if your gum tissues ache. Read on to learn what causes sore and inflamed gums and how best to treat them.

What Can Cause Sore & Inflamed Gums?

There isn’t just one thing that can make your gums sore and inflamed. In fact, several factors can irritate these special mouth tissues. They include the following:

Overbrushing

While you may think more brushing is always better, it’s actually possible to overdo it. Pressing too hard with a toothbrush can irritate your gum tissues and make them feel sore. In hindsight, this fact can seem rather natural – rubbing any spot on your body too much can cause aches.

All that said, overbrushing doesn’t just cause sore gums. This bad oral habit can make these mouth tissues recede and expose your tooth roots.

Gum Disease

If you’re dealing with sore gums, you may have a case of gum disease. Its first stage – gingivitis – is an inflammation of the tissues around your teeth. Plus, the disease stems from a buildup of plaque and bacteria that can make the gums pretty sore.

If left unchecked, gum disease will do more than cause sore gums. It may advance into periodontitis – its second, more severe form that can cause tooth loss.

Tobacco Use

As it turns out, tobacco products are notorious for making the gums ache. These items have chemicals that irritate your mouth and leave its tissues hurting. Similarly, using them can decrease blood flow to the gums and thus make them feel unpleasant.

Of course, there’s also the reality that tobacco tends to cause gum disease.

How Should You Treat the Issue?

Thankfully, several ways exist to treat sore and inflamed gums. The best ones are:

• Consider Home Remedies – In many cases, a home remedy can help you manage your sore gums. One example would be swishing with salt water to remove irritating bacteria from your mouth.
• Change Your Oral Care – If you can, avoid using strong mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Another option is to use toothpaste for sensitive teeth and gums.
• See a Local Dentist – If your inflamed gums stem from gum disease, your dentist could perform scaling and root planing. This service would get rid of the bacteria irritating your mouth.

If you’re facing sore and inflamed gums, don’t give up hope. Consider their possible causes and get help from your dental provider!

About the Practice

Rubal Dentistry Azle is based in Azle, TX. Led by Drs. Frank and Jodie Rubal, our practice dedicates itself to quality dental care in a positive and friendly setting. That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services tailored to your unique smile, as well as emergency oral treatments. Naturally, our team also provides help for sore and inflamed gums! For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (817)-444-2585.