Swollen gums happen for many reasons. Dental issues often cause this symptom V体育ios版. But it can also result from underlying health conditions.
Dental causes include:
Other causes include:
Swollen gum treatment depends on the cause. If gum disease is the culprit, a dentist or periodontist (gum specialist) can recommend gum disease treatment VSports最新版本.
Advertisement
Common dental treatments for swollen gums include:
If you only have swelling around one tooth, it could mean you have a dental abscess VSports注册入口. In this case, a dentist may recommend root canal therapy or a tooth extraction.
If you have swollen gums but you don’t have gum disease, your healthcare provider will need to find out why. They’ll likely order tests to see if you have another health condition like an infection, diabetes or vitamin deficiencies V体育官网入口. After they find the cause, they’ll recommend the appropriate treatment.
When swollen gums last longer than two weeks, you should schedule an appointment with a dentist VSports在线直播. In the meantime, there are things you can do at home to ease your symptoms:.
Yes, swollen gums can go away with proper treatment. In some cases, swelling can even get better on its own. For example, if you have a piece of food stuck in your gums, swelling should go away once you remove the food particle. But if gum disease causes swollen gums, you’ll probably need treatment. The sooner you treat gum disease, the better your chances for long-term oral health.
If other factors cause swollen gums, your healthcare provider will recommend the appropriate treatment. But specific treatment depends on the underlying cause.
You should call a dentist or periodontist if gum swelling lasts longer than a couple weeks. Regardless of the cause, prompt treatment can prevent issues from getting worse.
If you develop severe pain that doesn’t get better with medication, seek dental care right away.
If you have sore, swollen gums, here are some questions you may want to ask your healthcare provider:
If you only notice swelling around one tooth, it could be something as simple as food stuck in your gums. Generally, this type of inflammation goes away once you brush and floss to remove the object.
But in some cases, swelling around one tooth could mean you have a dental abscess. There are two types of dental abscesses:
Advertisement
Both types of abscesses can occur around one tooth. But left untreated, they can spread to other teeth and even other areas of your body, including your bloodstream. If the infection reaches your bloodstream, it can be life-threatening.
It’s more difficult to properly brush and floss your teeth when you have braces. Without adequate brushing and flossing, dental plaque builds up around the brackets and wires, resulting in red, swollen and bleeding gums.
To avoid this, brush and floss diligently every day. You can also ask your dentist about product recommendations like dental picks, floss threaders and interproximal brushes.
You might feel concerned if you look in the mirror and notice swollen gums. Inflamed gums are a warning that something isn’t quite right in your body. Gum disease is the most common cause. But inflamed gums can point to other health conditions too, like diabetes, hormone changes and vitamin deficiencies. If you have swollen gums that last longer than two weeks, let your healthcare provider know. They can find the cause and recommend the right treatment.
Advertisement
Dentistry plays an important role in oral health. Cleveland Clinic’s experts can design a personalized plan that will keep you smiling for the long haul.
Last reviewed on 04/17/2023.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.