Definition
A swelling of the gums is not a rare reason for visiting the dentist. It is often accompanied by pain and redness and can be limited to a small area or affect the entire gums. There are many reasons why this problem occurs, but in most cases it is caused by a pathological event in the oral cavity. Therefore, it is also advisable to consult a dentist if swelling persists for several days.
Causes
As mentioned above, there is not only one cause of swollen gums. Due to the wide range of possibilities, it may not always be easy to determine the reason for the change. As a loan it is almost impossible, which is why professional education is advisable for everyone affected.
For example, swelling in the oral cavity can occur after surgical procedures, such as the removal of wisdom teeth or implantations. Another reason may be abscesses or fistulas, which often cause severe local swelling. Pronounced periodontitis also leads to thickening of the gums due to the inflammatory processes.
Sometimes the cause can only be determined by an exact anamnesis, as the reason can also be the intake of certain medications which cause gum proliferation as a side effect. Root canal treatments are performed when the nerve of the tooth dies. Mostly caused by bacteria that get inside the tooth through deep caries.
During the treatment we try to clean the root canal and kill the bacteria that have settled there. In some cases it is not possible to eliminate them completely. The bacteria can then reach the surrounding tissue via the root tip, where they cause an inflammation.
This then manifests itself with swelling of the gums and pain. In such cases, the canal should be cleaned again to remove the inflammation and thus the swelling. The insertion of an implant is a surgical procedure that also damages healthy tissue.
The body often reacts to such trauma with swelling in this region. Therefore, one should not worry at first, as this is a healing process, which is a good sign. In some cases, however, an infection can also occur if the work is not done properly.
An inflammation will form around the implant, which eventually causes swelling. If the swelling does not disappear after a few days after the implantation, it is recommended to visit the dentist to clarify the problem. After a professional tooth cleaning, a swollen gum may occur, since the gum is irritated and can be injured by the treatment.
The gums should calm down in the next few days and look normal again. It is best to brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush so that the gums are not stressed. If the gums hurt and are slightly swollen, decongestant and pain-relieving ointments from the pharmacy can help.
The swollen gums should show improvement within a week, and swelling should go down again. If inflammatory symptoms occur, such as sensitivity to pressure and bleeding, you should visit a dentist. In this case, anti-inflammatory mouth rinses such as CHX mouthwash (Chlorhexamed® 0.2%) can also help.
If there is swelling in the molar tooth, there are several reasons for this, which are difficult to determine on your own. One possibility is that a deep pocket has become inflamed, which then triggers the swelling. Another reason may be a large caries, which has caused the nerve to die and the bacteria to spread inside the nerve.
If the wisdom teeth have not yet erupted, an abscess may have formed near them, causing the surrounding gums to swell and causing pain. An abscess can also develop without the wisdom teeth in the molar region. As you can see, there are a variety of possible reasons for a change in the posterior region, which in most cases must be treated.
Often an inflammation is responsible for swollen gums on the wisdom tooth. Especially if the wisdom tooth has not yet completely erupted, a so-called gum hood can form.Food remains and plaque accumulate there and inflammatory swelling occurs in this area. The resulting gum pocket can be treated by a dentist.
This topic might also be of interest to you: Wisdom tooth breakthroughSwollen gums in babies are a sign of teething. When the baby gets its first teeth, the gums swell up, itch and can hurt. In addition, the jawbone feels firm and hard and begins to tighten.
From the 6th month onwards, teething begins and is felt differently from child to child. Some do not notice anything and suddenly the first milk tooth is discovered and for others a very unpleasant time can begin. When teething begins, babies sleep less well and become more restless, and fever can also occur.
To support teething, a chilled teething ring or a piece of fruit can help. Babies then often chew on it. Chewing on solid objects relieves jaw pressure and helps the teeth to break through.
Camomile tea can be a relief against itching and swollen gums. This should not be sugared and should already be cooled down. You can apply the tea to the aching mucous membrane with a cotton swab.
In the pharmacy there are cooling gels that can be applied, but this should be discussed with the pediatrician before use. Swollen gums during pregnancy are not rare. The hormonal changes in the woman’s body have an unfavorable effect on the gums.
The connective tissue is loosened and the gums are supplied with more blood, which causes them to swell and can be an entry point for bacteria. The bacteria can cause a so-called pregnancy gingivitis. This manifests itself by a strong redness and additional bleeding of the gums while brushing the teeth.
During pregnancy, it is therefore particularly important to take thorough care of the teeth and gums to minimize the triggers for inflammation and prevent gingivitis. Daily dental care is made more difficult by fixed braces, which can lead to increased build-up of plaque on the teeth. Due to the difficult removal of plaque and incorrect brushing technique, this often leads to swollen gums and thus to inflammation of the gums, a so-called gingivitis.
Only individual areas can be affected, or even the entire jaw. Especially at the beginning of the treatment, patients first have to get used to the new situation and learn the new brushing technique with braces. If the gums are already inflamed and swollen, mouth rinsing solutions from the pharmacy and professional dental cleaning at the dentist’s help.
This could also be interesting for you: Dental care with bracesDuring a cold the immune system is weakened and an increased germ load by bacteria or viruses in the mouth area occurs. In most cases there is already an unnoticed preexisting disease of the teeth and then in connection with the cold, gingivitis breaks out and the gums swell up. The immune system is busy fighting the cold, while the number of germs in the preloaded gum pockets increases.
This results in a combined infection and overloading of the immune system. Gingivitis can persist even after the cold symptoms have subsided. In any case, in case of combined infections, one should consult a dentist in addition to the family doctor.
