Six Common Reasons your Gums Sore

Because of the softness and sensitivity of gum tissue, it is easy for your gums to get sore. The pain can be felt on top of some of your teeth, between your teeth, all over your gums, or even in the back of your mouth.

When your gums sore, they can bleed or swell, though some symptoms are not visible. No matter the cause of your sore gums, you might notice that the pain becomes worse when brushing or flossing your teeth. While there are a lot of reasons for sore gums, some gum issues do not cause pain immediately. The potential reasons range from very minor to very severe.  The following are some of the causes of sore gums:

Gum Disease

The first symptoms of gum disease include bleeding, redness, and swelling. Often, they occur when you fail to brush or floss your teeth well or often enough. This practice could cause gum disease to worsen. Over time, your gums might begin to pull away from your teeth, forming little pockets, where tiny food pieces can get stuck in and cause infection. When this happens, your teeth might become loose or the bone that keeps them in place might break down, resulting in a tooth loss.

Oral Thrush

This fungal infection occurs when there is an overgrowth of a fungus called Candida. This oral health issue is common in elderly people, babies, and those who spend lots of time in hospitals. It is characterized by white spots on the tongue or inner cheeks.

Canker Sores

Canker sores often show as up as red splotches in the mouth, although they can also have a white coating. They usually go away on their own within one or two weeks. But, if they don’t, it is best to see your doctor or dentist.

Hormonal Changes

In women, hormonal changes, which include those due to birth control pill and puberty, can change how their body supplies blood to their gums. This makes their gum tissue more sensitive to damage and irritation. Also, hormones impact the response of the body to some toxins a plaque buildup can produce.

Abscessed Tooth

If the root of your tooth is infected, it forms a pus pocket or abscess. Also, some abscessed teeth can cause the gums to swell. If you have this problem, see your dentist immediately. You may need a root canal treatment for this.

Oral Cancer

This cancer can begin on your tongue, tonsils, inner cheeks, or gums. It looks like a mouth sore that does not heal.

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