How Long do Swollen Gums Last?
Often, gum infections are accompanied by painless symptoms that may seem mild, such as swelling, occasional bleeding gums, a change in color, or persistent bad breath. If your gums are swollen, but you don’t have any pain, you can try rinsing your mouth with baking soda and making sure that you are practicing excellent oral hygiene. Swelling should not persist longer than a week or so, however.
It is essential to carefully observe your gums and visit your dentist regularly, before any problems you are experiencing have time to get worse and start to hurt. If your gums hurt when you eat, drink, or brush your teeth, this is not normal, and it is essential to find the cause of the pain in order to be able to treat it.
Potential causes of sore gums
Mouth ulcers- These ulcers located in the mouth can cause severe pain in the gums. They can be caused by stress, be due to damage to oral tissues, or related to a more general concern such as a weakened immune system or gastrointestinal illness.
- Tooth Decay- Pain caused by the presence of a decayed tooth can spread to the entire affected area, including the gums.
- Cuts or abrasions- Sometimes gum pain can be explained by a simple cut or abrasion. This is frequently the case for people with orthodontic appliances, dentures or dental prostheses: improper positioning can irritate the gum tissue and be painful.
- Sinus infection-Sinusitis, the inflammation of the lining of the sinuses that occurs when they are filled with fluid and thus promote the growth of germs, can cause gum pain.
- Gum disease- Gum pain can also be caused by a gum infection. The most common of these is gingivitis, which can progress to periodontitis, a more serious infection if not treated in time that can lead to tooth loss.
- Poor oral hygiene- Finally, the vast majority of gum pain is caused by poor oral hygiene, whether due to poor brushing or a lack of regular brushing which must be 2 minutes twice a day.
Treating Gum Pain
The treatment of gum pain depends on its origin. If the origin is mechanical, the solution lies in removing the cause. So, for example, if a prosthesis is badly fitted or a badly positioned appliance, the correction can solve the problem; in the case of a canker sore, mouthwashes are recommended and help to remove the ulceration and relieve pain. Gingivitis can also be treated with an antifungal drug, if it's related to yeast infection, or an antibiotic, if it's a bacterial infection. Scaling is the main treatment for gingivitis and therefore for sensitive gums. This treatment is performed by the dental surgeon. In any case, persistent gum pain must be treated by a professional in order to determine the cause and, subsequently, the treatment to be provided. However, while waiting for an appointment, a number of actions can be taken to reduce the pain or temporarily eliminate it including good brushing and mouthwashes.