Sore Gum
Common Reasons Why You Have a Sore Gum
Having a sore gum can be annoying and painful and may interfere with eating and drinking. There are many things that may cause sore gums; some causes are more serious than others. For most people having a sore gum is a temporary infliction that goes away without any treatment. For others, sore gums may be a warning sign or symptom of a more serious condition. Common symptoms of sore gums include bleeding, pain, redness, swelling and sores.
The most common cause of sore gums is dental problems, specifically gum disease. Improper brushing techniques like hard bristles irritating gums and non-gentle forms of flossing that injure the gums are common problems that are relatively harmless. The buildup of plaque from improper flossing and brushing can lead to gum disease. 3/4s of all Americans over the age of 35 have a form of gum disease, mostly Gingivitis. As bacteria inside of the mouth grow, they release toxins that irritate the gums and cause them to become red, inflamed or trigger them to bleed. 5-15% of Americans have the more serious form of gum disease called Periodontitis, which affects the gums and bones that hold the teeth in place. Again this causes the gums to swell, redden and bleed. If left untreated, Periodontitis can lead to tooth loss. In some cases teeth themselves can cause sore gums, such as when a growing tooth becomes impacted and causes the gums to hurt. Impacted teeth require a dentist to remove them.
One particular form of sore gum that will affect most people at one time or another is canker sores. These are painful ulcers found inside the mouth and on the gums. Their direct cause is unknown, but these annoying and painful sores are not usually harmful and clear up in a few days. One or more canker sores can appear at anytime and foods high in sugar, salt and citrus appear to make them worse.
In some people, especially women, hormonal changes may cause problems with the gums, making them feel sore or painful. Increased blood flow to the gums during menstruation, puberty or pregnancy can cause the gums to bleed, and some women even find that dehydration that occurs from menopause can create soreness of the gums.
Serious diseases may also have some symptoms that include painful and swollen gums. A major disease that often affects the gums is mouth cancer. Often the first sign of mouth cancer is tender gums and moving teeth. Other signs of mouth cancer are bad breath, color changes inside the mouth and white spots appearing on the gums. Smoking or using other tobacco products can help cause mouth cancer, but can also cause gum pain on their own. This is especially true with chewing tobacco, dip or snuff which comes directly in contact with the gums. One of the negative side effects for treating cancers is stomatitis, which is caused by chemotherapy treatments. Stomatitis appears as sores and ulcers inside the mouth and on the gums.
Other diseases that may affect the gums are oral thrush, or an overgrowth of Candida bacteria in the mouth, and the vitamin C deficiency disease known as Scurvy. Scurvy is rare today because we now know of its simple cure, but scurvy can cause swollen, purple and spongy gums among other symptoms if you are unlucky enough to get it.
Most of the time having sore gums is caused by relatively harmless, everyday occurrences and in some cases (like canker sores) they may occur for no known reasons. Maintaining healthy eating and brushing habits can help prevent sore gums. More painful and serious gum soreness may be a sign of another condition and should be checked out by a doctor.