The gums are soft tissues of the mouth that covers and surrounds the roots of the teeth. And to ask the questions, are you noticing something unusual with your gums? Is it reddish in color compared to the normal pinkish color? Do you notice it to be puffy and sometimes extremely sensitive when touched? If you have answered yes to all these questions, definitely you are experiencing symptoms of swollen gums and gum disease.
A swollen gum is one of the basic characteristics of a developing gum disease. There are many reasons why an individual experiences gum swelling. One of the most common causes is found in the mouth which is bacteria. Plaque or bacteria that has piled up on the gum line pose a very large threat to the health of the gums because this will ultimately cause damage to the gums that might lead to gum recession. The teeth will look more elongated and the lower part will be exposed.
Another reason for having swollen gums is the irritation due to the chemicals in tobacco or cigarette. As a smoker, a person who consumes a pack of cigarette a day will retain fifty percent of the chemicals in their mouth, throat and lungs. The mouth, together with the lungs is the most crucial organs affected because it is the entry and exit points for the smoke. To treat swollen gums caused by chemicals contained in tobacco, you need to quit smoking first. Whatever treatment you go through will not be enough to treat gum swelling if you continue to take in the chemicals which is causing the problem.
In women, pregnancy may at times cause gum swelling. This is a side effect that is in conjunction with the overall bloated feeling experienced by the body. This condition is brought about by the adjustment of the mother’s body to carrying a baby in the womb which needs nutrients to grow. The mother will experience weight gain and water retention adding to the bloated feeling.
Another cause of gum swelling may be ill-fitting dentures or misaligned dental braces. Dentures and braces are foreign objects inserted and attached to the mouth which at times may cause abrasions when not fitted well. Always visit your dentist or orthodontist on how to treat swollen gums whenever the situation arises so that they will adjust, reposition or polished the mouth fixtures causing gum pain and discomfort.