Maintaining oral and dental health can go a long way in improving one’s overall health. For one, it can reduce the risk of tooth decay and other conditions like heart disease, lung disease, Alzheimer’s, etc.
When it comes to dental and oral health, most people tend to consider only protecting their teeth. Little did they know that taking care of gums is equally important. Various factors can cause dental problems, like swollen gums. And should you experience it, it’s essential to seek medical advice right away and find the right Dentist in Southern River.
Swollen Gums Defined
Swollen gum is an oral health condition where gums protrude out. This happens due to excess fluid in the soft tissue within the gums. Common signs of swollen gums may include pain, redness, sores, and bleeding.
Depending on the cause, swollen gums may lead to ulcers or gingivitis. Sores or ulcers may occur when swollen gums affect only a small area of the gum. On the other hand, gingivitis is when swollen gums affect a large part of the gums.
Causes Of Swollen Gums
There are several causes of swollen gums. Some of these include:
Eating Food With Inadequate Vitamins
One of the major causes of swelling gums is eating foods with inadequate vitamins like vitamin C. Vitamin C is believed to help repair gums and keep the teeth healthy. And perhaps this is why dentists advise eating a diet rich in vitamin C.
When levels of vitamin C drop in your body, your gums may become weak and not function properly. And as a result, you’ll likely develop swollen gums.
Poor Dental Hygiene
Poor dental hygiene is one of the common causes of swollen gums among most people. It can occur when you fail to wash your mouth correctly. This is especially since food remains may get stuck between your teeth and gums. A prolonged period of poor oral and dental hygiene can eventually lead to swollen gums.
Infections
Infections in the mouth are another known cause of swollen gums. Infections caused by viruses or fungi can lead to severe complications, and any untreated infection in the mouth may lead to swollen gums.
Pregnancy In Mothers
Another major known cause of swollen gums is pregnancy in women. This occurs especially as pregnancy can cause significant changes and hormonal imbalance. As a result, you’ll likely experience an increased blood flow to your gums, thus causing inflammation of gums.
Treatment Options For Swollen Gums
As mentioned in the previous section, swollen gums can be caused by various factors. But whatever the cause is, most swollen gum conditions are treatable at home and by visiting a dentist.
Some swollen gum treatment options available include:
See Your Dentist
Going to the dentist is perhaps the best treatment option for gum diseases. This is especially true for severely swollen gums, even in minor cases. Note that swollen gums may be caused by hidden or underlying conditions. Therefore, it would be best to consult a dentist to get to the bottom of it and give you proper dental advice.
Generally, the dentist will examine your mouth to determine whether there’s an underlying oral health condition that causes the swelling in your gums. From there, they can assess and provide you with the proper medication to help manage the swelling of your gums.
Washing And Floss Your Teeth Regularly
As noted earlier, one of the major causes of swollen gums is poor oral hygiene. With that, it is ideal and recommended to practice good oral hygiene. When you maintain good oral health, you can eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses from your mouth. Not only will it help prevent and manage swollen gums, but it can also improve your overall dental health.
Some of the best ways to care for your teeth and gums are brushing and flossing teeth regularly, at least twice a day, and using mouthwash daily.
Eating A Diet Rich In Vitamin C
Eating food rich in vitamin C is another simple yet effective treatment option for gum diseases. Vitamin C can help repair and maintain your teeth and gums to be strong and healthy.
You can find various food items rich in vitamin C in the market. These include fruits like oranges, guava, papaya, strawberries, and mangoes. Other vegetables include kale, broccoli, and potatoes.
Takeaway
Swollen gums can potentially affect your overall oral health. And failure to treat and address them can lead to decay and loss of teeth or other dental conditions. As outlined in this article, there are different causes of swollen gums. Understanding these causes can help you to find the best treatment options.