Among the many reasons why people go to the Lansdowne dental office, swollen gums are probably the most common. Some dental conditions don’t have obvious symptoms that warrant an inspection at home and a subsequent trip to the dentist. With swollen gums, you’re surely going to feel discomfort or pain.
Swollen gums are caused by a number of things. The level of pain will also differ from one occurrence to another even if the gums swell in the same location. Below are some of the most common causes that are associated with swollen gums.
You Have Gum Disease
If you always develop swollen gums, you may have periodontal disease or gum disease. The disease may be gingivitis or the more serious variant known as periodontitis. The latter is found in at least 5% of those that exhibit symptoms of gum disease. In general, gum disease develops when the bacteria in the mouth is unchecked.
Poor dental hygiene can cause bacteria to form plaque on the teeth. This will result in the gums becoming swollen. The swelling might start to become redder and even bleed. The inflammation associated with gingivitis is often not painful, which is the reason why most go about their days being unaware of it.
Untreated gingivitis will ultimately lead to loss of teeth. By having your teeth checked by a dentist regularly, at least twice a year, you’ll be able to identify any issues before they start to get worse. When discomfort is felt, it’s an indication that the gum disease may already be at its worst form.
You Don’t Brush Your Teeth Correctly
A simple activity, brushing your teeth can quickly become a task that you’ll just idly do. However, it’s important that you maintain focus while you brush your teeth. Doing so will help with the technique. If you use a manual toothbrush, poor brushing technique may lead to your gums swelling.
Though less common with electric toothbrushes, swelling gums could still become an issue if you are constantly brushing against the root of your teeth. If it’s unavoidable for you, you should opt to brush your teeth with a toothbrush that has soft nylon bristles and blunted ends.
A back and forth motion can cause damage to your gums. Irritated gums are problematic because this is when you usually develop tolerance if you keep on with poor brushing technique. Keep in mind to use circular motions when you clean your teeth.
You Don’t Floss
Maintaining your dental hygiene doesn’t stop with brushing your teeth. You also have to floss. This lets you clean the areas that your toothbrush can’t reach. Just like you would with your toothbrush, you should also observe proper flossing technique.
The best way to floss is to go back and forth while sliding it up and down. Don’t force the floss in between your teeth because the sudden movement may cause it to bruise your gums which can cause your gums to swell. Make sure you go to the Lansdowne dental office and ask for tips if you have crowns, bridges, or implants.
Riverside Dental offers a complete line of services to ensure you’ve that perfect smile on you. Contact our Lansdowne dental office today!
