You may not realize it, but dental health is about more than just cavity prevention- you should also pay attention to the health of your gums. Your gums are not only an indicator of dental health but of your overall health as well.
Most of the time, if your gums are swollen, bleeding, or sore, it's a sign of gum disease- but there are several other things that may be causing your problems, including:
Overly aggressive brushing/flossing
Gum disease
Canker sores
Excessive tobacco use
Allergic reaction to dental hygiene products
Allergic reaction to foods
Burns
Hormonal changes (puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause)
Abscessed tooth
Dentures/partials
Vitamin deficiency
Oral cancer
When is it an emergency?
There are several reasons your gums may be swollen, sore, or bleeding. In order to determine if your gum pain is an emergency, consider what is causing it. If you have an abscessed tooth, it is definitely an emergency. If you are having problems with your dentures or partials, it may not necessarily be an emergency, but it is something you'll want to get into the dentist to take care of as soon as possible.
If you have to wait to get into the dentist, there are some things you can do at home to relieve your gum pain:
Warm/cold compresses
Saltwater rinse
50/50 hydrogen peroxide rinse
Tea bags
Tea tree oil
Turmeric paste
OTC pain relievers
Oral anesthetic
Improve your nutrition
Another thing you can do is make a homemade dental spray with water and 5 drops of the essential oil of your choice. The ones that have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties are clove, oregano, and peppermint. This is good to have on hand for when your gum pain flares up and you are not able to get to the dentist quickly.
If you are in or near Basking Ridge, New Jersey, contact Dr. Konstantine Trichas for your dental emergencies. Our normal office hours are Monday and Tuesday 9 AM to 7 PM, Wednesday and Thursday 7 AM to 3 PM, and Friday 8 AM to 1 PM. However, we understand that dental emergencies can happen at any time, so we do have an emergency contact schedule for our patients so that we can treat your dental issues immediately. Call us at (732) 503-8914 to receive dental care as soon as possible for your sore gums.
(908) 952-2087
