Swollen Gums and Teeth

Swollen gums can be an early indicator that something is amiss; they could indicate gum disease as well as diabetes, hormone changes or vitamin deficiencies.

NI Direct suggests seeking medical advice and treatment immediately if swelling occurs near a tooth, fever is present, face/facet swelling increases significantly or you experience difficulty breathing/swallowing.

Causes

Your gums could be swollen for various reasons. Poor oral hygiene practices, dental cavities, tooth abscesses, diet high in sugar or an autoimmune disorder could all play a part. If fever, headache and severe facial swelling occur concurrently seek medical advice immediately.

An dental abscess is the result of a bacterial infection in the center of a tooth, entering its pulp through an area such as a cavity or crack and spreading down towards its root. As bacteria proliferate in this way, they build pressure that causes its tip to swell and leads to pain when biting or chewing; once pressure has subsided when the bacteria break through through gum tissue they drain into nearby tissue causing facial cellulitis (swelling around one’s face).

Tooth decay caused by inadequate oral hygiene is the leading cause of gum and teeth infection, with symptoms including throbbing pain when chewing or biting, bad breath and swelling around an affected tooth. Left untreated, this bacterial infection could spread further into bone surrounding an infected tooth as well as sinuses and brain structures; severe cases could even cause jaw fractures or even lead to death (septicemia).

Poor dental care habits may cause gums to swell due to reactions from toothpaste or mouthwash, side effects of medications or physical irritations like food sticking between your teeth. Gingivitis infections and inflammations may worsen with pregnancy or menstruation cycles causing further hormonal fluctuations that aggravate gingivitis symptoms.

Gum swollen around one tooth could be indicative of sinusitis, dental cavity or an abscess requiring urgent dental attention. If painful symptoms exist it should be addressed quickly by seeing a dentist as soon as possible for advice and treatment.

Symptoms

Swollen gums may be an early indicator of serious dental problems. Swelled gums could indicate an infection or abscess – which occurs when bacteria penetrate the enamel surface and enters its interior – which can spread throughout your mouth, neck and head as well as cause fever and fatigue symptoms in severe cases.

Swelling of the gums is usually due to bacteria found in plaque, leading to infections like gingivitis, though other causes could include incorrect brushing and flossing techniques or poorly fitted dentures. Furthermore, inflammation of gum tissue could occur from food debris stuck between teeth or inflamation from food particles trapped between gum tissue layers.

Additional symptoms of tooth and gum infections include pain when biting or chewing, bad breath, warm or hot sensations in the mouth and pus-like discharge from the mouth or throat containing bacteria from an infected root of a tooth.

Swollen tongues may be a telltale sign of infection, whether from bacteria or viruses; allergic reactions; food items; medications; metal dental restorations or dental fillings; or an underlying health condition like diabetes or vitamin deficiencies.

First step to treating swollen teeth and gums is visiting a healthcare practitioner, who will perform a physical exam of both. In some instances, tests will also be ordered to rule out other conditions that could be contributing to your discomfort, including blood work or an imaging test called an oral computed tomography (CT) scan – this test can detect gum disease as well as determine severity and location of infection; if results of the CT scan come back normal then your healthcare provider is likely to prescribe antibiotics to combat infection before it spreads further throughout your body.

Treatment

Dental abscesses are small pus pockets that form when your gum spaces fill up with bacteria and food debris, affecting gum tissue, teeth, or bones in their vicinity. If you suspect an abscess has formed on you, consult a dentist or endodontist immediately and they should use a small needle to drain it away, rinse your area with salt water or dilute hydrogen peroxide and prescribe an antibiotic mouthwash (usually clindamycin or erythromycin) unless allergic to either one of these options.

Painkillers may help alleviate swelling and discomfort associated with tooth infections, but always consult your physician prior to taking over-the-counter painkillers, especially if pregnant or breastfeeding. Rinsing with warm salt water may also help ease symptoms; mix 1 teaspoon of salt into 2 glasses of warm water and rinse your mouth for two minutes with this solution before spittting out.

Other remedies for swollen gums include changing your toothpaste or mouthwash if sensitivity has been identified, and avoiding foods like popcorn, chips and alcohol that could aggravate them further. Furthermore, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables or supplementing with Vitamin C could also help – this nutrient can be found both naturally as well as through supplementation.

Dentists can quickly diagnose swollen gums by asking pertinent questions, such as when and why symptoms first appeared and if frequency or intensity has changed over time. A comprehensive set of dental X-rays may also be requested to look for signs of bone loss; alternatively they may order blood tests to check for infection or nutritional deficiency.

Swollen gums can be an uncomfortable problem that leads to more serious consequences if left untreated, so it is crucial that they receive immediate medical treatment. It is advisable to visit a dentist as soon as the discomfort becomes intense or is accompanied by fever or face swelling; home treatments may not suffice – in which case seeking emergency help from hospital/urgent care center would be best, particularly if having severe toothache or fever over 100.4F is an urgent necessity.

Prevention

Swollen teeth should not be taken as something to be ignored and should be considered a serious medical condition. Left untreated, they could lead to dental abscesses where pockets form between gums and teeth that allow bacteria to build up in pockets that form between them and cause pockets in which bacteria collect. A dentist will be able to evaluate your situation and offer treatment that will ease both pain and swelling within your mouth.

Good oral hygiene is one of the best defenses against gum infections and other oral conditions, such as bad breath. Regular brushing and flossing help remove food debris, plaque and bacteria that irritate gums; an individual should floss at least once daily while brushing twice with soft-bristled toothbrushes containing fluoride-containing toothpaste; then following up by using antibacterial mouthwash can eliminate any leftover bacteria between the teeth that remain.

Popcorn and chips should be avoided as these foods can lodge between teeth or cause gum inflammation, while alcohol, mouthwashes and tobacco products should also be avoided in order to decrease gum irritants. It is also important to drink plenty of water in order to hydrate their mouth – and take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like Ibuprofen as directed by medical providers.

Some individuals are at risk for vitamin deficiency, which can contribute to swollen gums. People who do not consume an ideal diet should add fruits and vegetables into their meals to ensure they receive enough vitamins. Furthermore, those at higher risk for vitamin C deficiency should consider taking vitamin supplements.

Maintaining clean teeth is important, but it is also necessary to visit their dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. A dentist can assess what condition may be causing swelling in the mouth before providing medication or treatments that will alleviate its symptoms. Visits should be a top priority if suffering from chronic or serious tooth pain as early detection allows easier treatment options – Swollen teeth shouldn’t be tolerated and need immediate medical treatment in order to prevent long-term issues and pain.