Swollen gums aren’t uncommon, but that doesn’t mean they’re normal or it’s OK to ignore them. While some swelling might be caused by minor irritation — for instance, eating a food that’s very hard, crunchy, or spicy — gum swelling is often associated with a serious underlying problem affecting your teeth, gums, or other tissues.
At Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC, our team uses comprehensive exams and diagnostic imaging to identify the root cause of gum swelling, providing patient-centered care to relieve symptoms and prevent complications. Here, learn some of the common causes of swollen gums and why it’s so important to have puffy, tender gums evaluated by our team.
Also called periodontal disease, gum disease is a relatively common cause of swollen gums, occurring when bacteria cause an infection that irritates your gum tissue. In turn, your gums pull away from your tooth surfaces, creating pockets that allow bacteria to move farther down the tooth.
Without medical treatment, gum disease can travel all the way to the tooth root, weakening the tooth and eventually causing it to fall out. Gum disease can be managed with therapy tailored to the stage of the disease.
Like infections in other parts of your body, infections in your gum tissue can cause considerable swelling as a result of your body’s infection-fighting process. More advanced infections may form abscesses, pockets of pus, and other debris that form as a result of a bacterial infection.
Abscesses can cause swelling around a single tooth or in a larger area of gum surrounding several teeth. You might also have a fever, tooth pain, and a foul taste in your mouth. Abscesses are serious infections, and without prompt treatment, bacteria can spread to other parts of your body, too.
Teeth are strong, but they’re not impervious to damage. If a tooth is fractured or cracked, you can wind up with swollen gums, often accompanied by significant pain or sensitivity.
Tooth fractures are especially likely to cause gum swelling when the fracture involves the tooth root or exposes the central pulp portion of the tooth — the area where the tooth’s nerves are located. While many fractures are due to traumatic injuries that cause impacts to your mouth or jaw, some fractures occur as a result of decay, or in a tooth that has a large filling or similar repair.
Similar to broken or chipped teeth, cracked teeth can cause significant inflammation in the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. Even a tiny crack can allow germs to get inside the tooth, where they can cause deep infections or abscesses.
Tiny cracks may not cause any noticeable symptoms, only becoming problematic once an infection sets in. Other cracks can cause tooth pain and sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
Gum swelling that’s severe, persists, or gets worse is a clear sign that there’s something wrong with your gums, your jawbone, or your teeth. Without a dental evaluation and proper treatment, there’s a good chance that swelling and its underlying cause will become worse, potentially leading to very serious complications.
If you have swollen gums, don’t ignore them. Call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City today.
