What Does It Mean If You Have Inflamed Gums?

Gingival inflammation, or inflamed gums, is a common but possibly severe oral health problem that anyone can have. Inflamed gums are often an early sign of a number of severe dental issues.

Gum inflammation is marked by redness, swelling, and sometimes pain around the gums. In this article, Benbrook Dentist TX discusses the causes of gum inflammation, how to stop it, and when to get professional help.

Learning About Gingival Inflammation and its Causes

In its early stages, gum inflammation is also called gingivitis. It is mostly caused by plaque, a film of bacteria that sticks to the teeth and gums. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth often, plaque turns into tartar. Tartar can hurt the gums and make them swell up. Some common causes of inflamed gums are –

• Plaque can get on your gums and hurt them if you don’t brush and clean properly.
• Tobacco use weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of gum disease and inflammation.
• Your hormones may change if you’re pregnant or going through menopause, so keep that in mind.
• A poor diet not only harms gum health, but a lack of vitamins C and D increases the risk of inflammation significantly.
• Medical illnesses and medications can cause gum inflammation.

Major Gum Disease Signs

According to Benbrook Dentist TX, there are several early indicators of gum inflammation:

• Red Gums: Healthy gums are pink and firm. Redness and swelling are often the first signs of inflammation.
• Bleeding when Brushing: If you see blood on your toothbrush or floss, it could mean that your gums are inflamed.
• Bad Breath: Bad breath that won’t go away can be caused by bacteria in the gums and is a sign of inflammation.
• Gum Sensitivity: When your gums are inflamed, they can get sore, which can make it painful to brush and eat.
• Gum Recession: In severe cases, swollen gums can begin to pull away from the teeth, which is called recession.

If you see any of these symptoms, you should pay great attention and possibly visit Benbrook Dentist, TX, to prevent the issue from worsening.

Results of Untreated Inflamed Gums

Red, swollen gums might not seem like a huge deal at first, but neglecting them can lead to significant dental and health issues:

• Gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a more severe gum disease that weakens the gums and bone supporting the teeth in place.
• Gum disease can cause tooth loss by damaging tooth-supporting tissues.
• Untreated gum disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory disorders.

Knowing about these consequences stresses the need to treat gum pain quickly.

How to Get Rid of Swollen Gums

The good news is that both professional care and home treatments can often help treat gum inflammation.

• Dental Cleanings: It is advisable to consult Benbrook Dentist TX or any dental hygienist periodically for cleanings that eliminate tartar and plaque that brushing alone cannot.
• Oral Hygiene: Brushing twice a day, flossing once, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash reduce plaque buildup.
• Saltwater Rinses: Warm saltwater gargles help relieve gum pain. It’s a simple home remedy that kills microorganisms and boosts health.
• Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide mixed with water can be used as an antiseptic rinse to kill germs in the mouth.
• Antibacterial Mouthwash: The use of chlorhexidine in antibacterial mouthwash can eliminate bacteria and reduce the size of the afflicted area both of which are beneficial.
• Prescribed Antibiotics: If the infection is serious, Benbrook Dentist TX may suggest using antibiotics in order to speed up the healing process.

Some more gum inflammation relief tips:

• Routine checkups with your dentist are essential for detecting gum disease early and performing cleanings.
• To help reduce gum inflammation, eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins C and D, such as citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables.
• Quitting tobacco will reduce gum inflammation and improve mouth health.

If you and your dentist work together to establish what you need and evaluate all your dental treatment options, you can have great gum health.

Conclusion: When to See Benbrook Dentist TX

If you’ve been taking better care of your teeth and gums but still have gum disease, you need to see Benbrook Dentist TX right away. In Texas, for example, almost half of adults over 30 have some kind of gum disease.

It shows how important it is to start treatment as soon as possible to prevent the disease from getting worse. If periodontitis is present, you can look at your gums and suggest the best way to treat them, whether that’s scaling and root planing or other steps.

Red and swollen gums may indicate a dental concern that needs immediate attention. Knowing the origins, symptoms, and treatment of inflamed gums will help you maintain good health. By visiting the dentist and changing your lifestyle, you may keep your gums healthy for years.

If your gums are red, see a doctor immediately. This is the best approach to maintaining your health and avoiding worse issues.