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Underlying Causes of Swollen Gums That Should Send You to a General Dentist

17 August 2021 by Harold Coleman

Swollen gums tend to be a commonly experienced symptom in the dust population so you may not think twice about it when this happens. Certainly, there are innocuous reasons why your gums may begin to swell such as minor trauma to this tissue but this does not mean that it should be treated as an afterthought.

Whether your gums start to swell gradually or spontaneously, you should see a general dentist since, in some cases, it could be a sign of an underlying medical problem that would require professional attention. But what makes your gums swell in the first place? Below are some underlying causes of swollen gums that should send you to a general dentist.

1. You have developed gum disease

Unquestionably, gum disease is one of the top reasons why patients develop swollen gums. This disease develops when tartar starts to accumulate along your gum line. If you do not clean your teeth thoroughly or seek professional dental cleaning, the tartar starts to harbor bacteria. The bacteria then start to damage the tissue in the gum, which leads to inflammation.

If you do not see a dentist for the inflammation but instead choose to self-medicate with over-the-counter pain medication, the bacteria get the chance to multiply, which causes further damage to your gums. Hence, you will notice that in addition to the swelling, you will also have symptoms such as bleeding, tenderness, and so on. You should visit a general dentist as soon as possible or the gum disease will progress into periodontitis.

2. You have an untreated infection

There is a range of infections you can develop that will harm the health of your gums. Bacterial infections are, undoubtedly, the most common variety. This type of infection will typically affect a specific part of your gums rather than the entire tissue. As a result, you will notice localized swelling that is painful to the touch. In this instance, you are likely dealing with a tooth abscess.

Abscesses develop when decay is left undeterred for a long time to the point that the bacteria infects the gum tissue. If you do not see a general dentist, pus will start oozing out of this area. The second type of infection you can develop in your gums is a viral infection. Most patients will have herpetic gingivostomatitis in their gums, and this comes about when the herpes virus is in your mouth. If you have more questions, contact services like Mark A. Massa, DDS, Inc.

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