What Causes Swollen Gums?

Gingiva (gingiva) refers to the oral mucosa epithelium and the connective tissue below it covering the surface of the alveolar process and the neck of the tooth. Gum swelling and pain are mainly a symptom of inflammation of the gums. The inflammation under the gums spreads through the gaps, calculus, and dead corners of the mouth.

Basic Information

Visiting department: Stomatology
Common locations: Gums

Common causes: Poor oral hygiene causes dental plaque, calculus and soft dirt to deposit on the tooth surface near the gingival margin and induce gingivitis
Common symptoms: Bleeding gums, abscesses, bad breath, etc.

Causes of gum swelling and pain

The main cause of gum swelling and pain is poor oral hygiene, which causes dental plaque, calculus and soft scale to deposit on the tooth surface near the gingival margin, which induces gingivitis. If not treated in time, gingivitis can gradually develop into periodontitis, which eventually leads to loosening and loss of teeth.

Clinical manifestations of gingival swelling and pain

The typical symptoms of gingivitis are bleeding gums and itching. Easy to bleed when brushing teeth and talking. Examination showed swelling and hypertrophy of the gums, which were dark red or dark red, and the tissue was soft and prone to bleeding. Gum papillae are spherical protrusions. Swollen gums can often cover 1/3 or more of the anterior lip. Due to the hypertrophy of the gums, the sulcus is deepened to form a gingival pocket. The bag is easy to hide food, bacteria are easy to breed, and the self-cleaning effect is poor, so the inflammation is exacerbated, and there may be dark secretions. If the body's resistance is reduced, single or multiple gingival abscesses can occur, especially in the gingival papilla area. Symptoms can be irritating gum bleeding, swelling, bad breath and so on. In the late stage of the disease, the gum texture is tougher due to fibrous hyperplasia, and inflammation is also reduced. Hypertrophic gingivitis that occurs during pregnancy is called pregnancy gingivitis (Pregnancygingivitis). Sometimes individual gingival nipples swell into a globular shape and often have pedicles. After giving birth, the enlarged gums usually resolve on their own. Vitamin C deficiency gingivitis. The whole gums are purple-red and easy to bleed. In severe cases, the gingival margin is necrotic and the bad breath is obvious. Patients taking phenytoin for a long period of time may develop gingival hyperplasia, which is characterized by simultaneous hyperplasia of the cheeks and lingual gums, which is nodular, solid, pale, and difficult to bleed.

Differential diagnosis of gum swelling and pain

Hypertrophy or hyperplasia of the gums can also occur in some systemic diseases. Should pay attention to identification, such as: leukemia due to increased white blood cell counts, stasis in peripheral blood vessels, causing swelling and hypertrophy of the gums, pale gums, if accompanied by inflammation, congestion and bleeding of the gingival margin. In severe cases, necrosis of the gingival papilla or gingival margin and halitosis.

Gum Swelling Treatment

Pay attention to oral hygiene, develop good habits of mouthwashing and brushing teeth after meals, and master the correct brushing method, which can effectively prevent the occurrence of gingivitis.

Antibiotic

Those who are caused by systemic diseases should mainly treat systemic diseases. In the acute inflammatory phase, amoxicillin, cephalosporins, and metronidazole can be used.

2. clean your teeth

Remove plaque and tartar attached to the surface of the tooth body, make the tooth surface smooth and reduce irritation, and correct food impaction. When necessary, use cleansing, commonly known as tooth washing, to completely remove calculus and control plaque.

3. Vitamins

Appropriate use of vitamin C, vitamin A and D to improve the body's resistance and repair ability, and help the periodontal tissue repair.

4. Remove the cause

Actively treat various chronic diseases.

5. Topical application

Can be applied after removing tartar, plaque and food residues. Rinse with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or physiological saline and apply 1% iodine glycerol. You can also use a 1: 5000 potassium permanganate solution or a compound borax solution to gargle. You can also use gargle drugs, such as Kota Mouthwash, chlorhexidine, etc.

6. Surgical treatment

Gingival resection is feasible for those with obvious gingival hyperplasia.