Swollen gums can be a case of food particles trapped in the teeth or symptomatic of a more serious condition, which may call for Emergency dentist Nambour. Whatever the cause, one thing’s for sure: swollen gums are uncomfortable at best, and painful at worst. If dislodging that stubborn popcorn kernel or eliminating food particles via brushing and flossing didn’t deflate your swollen gums, you may have something more serious on your hands (or in your mouth).
Did you find us by Googling ‘emergency dentist near me’? If so, take action now. Call Smiles Nambour on (07) 5240 9410 or find available emergency dental appointments online. Hint: your best chance at a same-day appointment is to call before 9 am. We are open 8 am–5 pm Monday to Friday, and can also take urgent bookings on Saturday.
Causes for Swollen Gums
Curious to know what’s inflating your gums? Keep reading to learn about potential underlying conditions, how you can treat them, and how you can keep them at bay in the future.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, which manifests in the gums, causing irritation and swelling. It’s among the most common causes of swollen gums. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis or periodontal disease. Trust us—this is not something you want. In a worst-case scenario, severe gum disease can result in tooth loss.
Pregnancy
Obviously, you shouldn’t look to your gums for confirmation of pregnancy. Nevertheless, if you are pregnant, swollen gums can be a side effect of that. Why? Because pregnancy can transform the body into a bubbling cauldron of hormones. This can increase the blood flow to the gums, making them more vulnerable to swelling.
Check out some of the oral hygiene tips recommended by Nambour Dentist that you should follow
Infections
Complications from oral herpes, oral thrush, or dental abscesses can all lead to swelling in the mouth. In the lattermost example, swelling may be isolated to a single area.
Less Common Causes
Swollen gums can also occur as a result of other health issues, although this can be less common. Nevertheless, your gums may swell if you’re:
- Taking medications
- Malnourished
- Sensitive to regular toothpaste or mouthwash
- Wearing ill-fitting crowns, dentures, or similar.
Treatment for Swollen Gums
However your gums came to swell, treatment options are fairly similar across the board. In any case, the first thing you should do is see a dentist—potentially an emergency dentist in Nambour. To determine the underlying cause of the swelling, your dentist will review your symptoms and medical history. From there, they’ll recommend treatments accordingly, such as medicated mouthwashes, ointments, or special kinds of toothpaste.
There are also some home remedies you can try. Although these are no substitute for expert prescriptions—potentially from your emergency dental clinic in Nambour—you may find the following helpful:
- Saltwater rinse (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water): once dissolved, rinse orally for 30 seconds up to three times per day
- Mouthwash containing essential oils (but no alcohol)
- Mouthwash or gel containing aloe vera
- Gel or powder containing turmeric.
Prevention for Swollen Gums
Even if you don’t have swollen gums, there are always steps you can take to prevent the onset of swelling. These can include:
- Brushing twice per day for two minutes (per session)
- Flossing at least once per day
- Using gentle toothpaste or mouthwash
- Avoiding drinks containing sugar (these can contribute to bacterial accumulation in the mouth)
- Avoiding tobacco in all forms
- Avoiding alcohol or mouthwash containing alcohol (alcohol can dry out and irritate gums)
- Avoiding popcorn kernels, seeds, chips, or anything else that can lodge in the teeth.
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Ain’t that swell?
Now that you’re better equipped to manage gum swelling, it may be time to take the first step. Contact our emergency dental clinic in Nambour by calling (07) 5240 9410 or checking our online portal for available emergency dental appointments. If your emergency falls outside our operating hours—or if you need Sunday emergency dental work—your next-best bet is to Google ‘dental emergency care near me’, ‘24-hour emergency dentistry’, or similar.
Gum swelling can either resolve itself following some easy dental hygiene fixes or indicate something more serious. We hope our advice has been helpful.
