Inflamed gums, also called gingivitis, usually occur as a result of the accumulation of bacterial plaque due to poor oral hygiene or are caused by untreated diabetes, poor nutrition, a weakened immune system or the use of dental braces.
In addition to gum inflammation, it is also common for symptoms such as redness, pain and, in some cases, bleeding to occur when brushing teeth and bad breath, for example.
The best treatment for gum inflammation is to completely remove accumulated tartar by brushing your teeth correctly, with a soft or electric toothbrush and flossing daily. However, it is recommended to consult the dentist for an evaluation, removal of tartar from the teeth and, if necessary, the use of medication to relieve pain and inflammation.
Main causes
The main causes of inflamed or swollen gums are:
1. Better oral hygiene
Poor oral hygiene can cause gum inflammation due to the multiplication of bacteria naturally found in the mouth, which happens mainly when there is an accumulation of food between the teeth and a lack of correct oral hygiene.
Thus, bacteria are able to proliferate in the mouth and become attached to the tooth, giving rise to bacterial plaque and promoting inflammation in the gums.
What to do: You should brush your teeth with a soft or electric brush at least twice a day, and floss at least once a day, to remove food that accumulates between your teeth. Additionally, you can use a mouthwash solution that can be prepared by adding 10 mL of 10 volume hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine diluted in ¼ glass of water, and rinse once a day, preferably before bed. Learn how to brush your teeth correctly.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
2. Smoking habit
The habit of smoking causes inflamed gums due to the nicotine present in cigarettes, which leads to a decrease in blood flow in the gums, in addition to greater accumulation of tartar on the teeth, causing inflammation or swelling of the gums.
Furthermore, the nicotine in cigarettes leads to a decrease in oxygen in the blood, making it difficult for inflamed gums to heal.
What to do: You should see your dentist regularly to have your teeth cleaned to remove tartar. In addition, it is recommended to stop smoking to avoid worsening gum inflammation, which can lead to damage to the bone and tissues that support the teeth and tooth loss. Check out some tips on how to stop smoking.
3. Untreated diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that causes changes in blood vessels that can become thicker, reducing the amount of nutrients that reach the gums, in addition to making it difficult to remove waste produced by cells in the mouth, causing weakening of the gums and teeth and increasing the risk of infections.
Additionally, when diabetes is not controlled, high blood sugar levels lead to the growth of bacteria that can cause inflammation or swelling of the gums.
What to do: You must maintain adequate oral hygiene, brushing your teeth at least twice a day, using dental floss and using mouthwashes recommended by your dentist. In addition, you should follow up with an endocrinologist to control diabetes and avoid the risk of developing inflammation or swelling in the gums. Check out simple tips on how to control diabetes.
4. Pregnancy
During pregnancy, due to hormonal changes and the increase in blood volume in the body, which are normal during pregnancy, it is common for some women to experience sensitivity in their gums, which can become swollen, inflamed and red, and even bleed when brushing their teeth.
What to do: You should use a soft toothbrush and continue brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. Furthermore, it is recommended that you consult your dentist to assess the health of your mouth and teeth.
5. Use of fixed appliances
The use of fixed orthodontic appliances can make it difficult to clean your teeth, favoring the accumulation of food between the teeth and the formation of bacterial plaque and tartar, causing swelling or inflammation of the gums.
What to do: oral hygiene habits must be improved, in the case of fixed orthodontic appliances, in addition to dental floss, an interdental brush must be used, which facilitates cleaning between the teeth or any other place in the mouth that is difficult to access and represents a favorable place for the formation of bacterial plaques.
6. Dental prosthetics
The use of poorly placed or inadequately cleaned dental prostheses can result in the accumulation of food and the formation of plaque, which can cause inflammation of the gums and, consequently, swelling.
What to do: It is important to maintain adequate mouth hygiene, brushing your teeth and flossing at least twice a day. Furthermore, if the dental prosthesis is removable, it is important that it is removed at night so that the mouth and prosthesis can be cleaned as instructed by the dentist. Check out other precautions you should take with dental prosthetics.
7. Poor nutrition
Poor nutrition and lack of vitamins such as A, B, C, D, E and K, coenzyme Q10 and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, copper manganese and selenium, can lead to changes in the gums, allowing proliferation of bacteria in the mouth and hinder the immune system’s response against these bacteria, causing inflammation, infection and swelling in the gums.
What to do: You should eat a balanced diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as proteins such as fish or chicken, and whole grains, as they contain the nutrients necessary for gum health. Furthermore, it is recommended to consult a nutritionist who should indicate the type of diet according to the nutrient deficiency on an individual basis.
8. Weakened immune system
Some conditions can weaken the immune system, such as leukemia, HIV infection or treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer, which reduces the body’s defense capacity against microorganisms, which can cause infections and inflammation of the gums, which in some cases can experience bleeding.
What to do: Good mouth and teeth hygiene must be maintained to avoid the accumulation of bacterial plaque, which can cause infection and inflammation in the gums. Therefore, it is recommended to brush your teeth at least 3 times a day, floss daily and see your dentist regularly.
9. Use of medicines
Some medications such as phenytoin, haloperidol, corticosteroids, propranolol, olanzapine, or antidepressants such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, amitriptyline or nortriptyline, for example, can interfere with saliva production, leaving the mouth drier, which increases the risk of gum diseases such as inflammation or swelling, as well as the development of cavities.
What to do: You should continue taking medication and report the appearance of swollen or inflamed gums to your doctor. Furthermore, it is important to consult your dentist regularly to assess the health of your gums and teeth, and if necessary, use artificial saliva, for example.
Home remedies for inflamed gums
Some home remedies such as hydrogen peroxide solution, licorice tea or turmeric paste, for example, are good options to complement treatment against swollen or inflamed gums, and can be used in the form of mouthwash or in the form of a paste, after brushing. teeth, as they have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic and antibacterial action, helping to alleviate symptoms. Learn how to prepare home remedies for inflamed gums.
Furthermore, to maintain mouth health and prevent gums from becoming swollen and inflamed again, you should brush your teeth daily with a soft brush and toothpaste, and use dental floss and mouthwash to eliminate the maximum food debris that accumulates between teeth, causing gum inflammation, cavities or infections.
Watch the video with more tips on how to avoid and treat inflamed or swollen gums:
