Your gums are very delicate and very important tissues, so it is important to be on the lookout for any signs that things are not right with them.
What Causes Swollen Gums?
Much of the time, swollen gums are a sign of gum disease. However, it could also be caused by a number of other forces. You may have taken some trauma to the gums. It may be a side effect of chemotherapy or other medical procedures. If you are a woman, you may occasionally experience swollen gums during times of great hormonal activity, like puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. If you smoke, brush too hard, or otherwise irritate your gums, you are more susceptible to swollen gums.
Symptoms of Swollen Gums
Swollen gums will often be paired with other symptoms, which may include pain or tenderness, a receding gum line, halitosis or a bad taste in your mouth, bleeding in the gums, or changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
What to Do When Your Gums Swell
If you experience some swelling in your gums, try to not aggravate them any further. Avoid hot or cold foods, get plenty of water, give up smoking, and try to avoid stress. Should your swollen gums be accompanied by other symptoms, like pain, bad breath, a bad taste in your mouth, or an uneven bite, alert your dentist as soon as you can.
Dental emergencies for swollen gums are a priority for us. We accommodate dental emergencies on a walk-in or call basis on the same day.
We will accommodate you the same day whether you come to our Auburn or Issaquah location. Our offices are open 23-24 days ever month (excluding Sunday) and our Auburn dentist is available on-call after hours for increased flexibility to address your needs.
