"Why Do My Gums Hurt?" Here's Why.

Do you often find yourself wondering why your gums hurt? Even if it's not often, you'd likely want to know why you're experiencing gum pain so you can prevent it from happening again.

Gum pain may not be intense or terrible, but even a dull pain can get extremely frustrating and distracting when it lasts for hours. Though it starts small, gum pain can be detrimental to both your health and your productivity.

While it's easy to assume that gum pain comes only from a neglect of oral hygiene , that simply isn't the case.

There are many reasons why your gums may hurt. Read on to learn about some of these reasons and ways you can prevent and treat them.

Brushing and Flossing Incorrectly

Proper dental care requires regular brushing and flossing , but being too aggressive can cause gum pain.

Make sure you're using a toothbrush with softer bristles and that you aren't attacking those sensitive gums. Cleaning doesn't require a ton of pressure, so be kind to yourself!

Be gentle with your flossing too. You don't have to jam that floss in there. Floss slowly and carefully. Avoid yanking the floss down onto and into your gums.

Gingivitis

If swelling and bleeding accompany your sore gums you may have gingivitis. This means there may be a buildup of tartar and bacteria that's causing your gum soreness. You won't be able to see the buildup, so rely on these other symptoms.

If you let gingivitis sit too long it can cause other, more serious problems. If you suspect you may have gingivitis talk to your dentist. He or she will help you remove the buildup.

Canker Sores

Canker sores may be the cause of your sore gums. You may develop canker sores anywhere in your mouth, and you may multiple canker sores at once.

Canker sores are actually small ulcers, and can make your mouth very uncomfortable. The causes of canker sores are unknown, but stress or tissue injury may be the culprits. Braces or sharp teeth may also cause canker sores to develop.

Canker sores may also be the result of nutritional problems. If you have canker sores, you may be experiencing a B-12, iron, or folic acid deficiency.

Allergic Reaction

Did you know you could be allergic to your toothpaste? It's possible your sore gums are caused by an allergic reaction.

Any oral hygiene product may be causing an allergic reaction in your mouth. To determine if this is the case, change what products you are using.

Don't forget to change only one product at a time, though. If you solve the problem by quitting everything at once you won't know which product was the culprit.

Cancer Treatment

If you've undergone chemotherapy treatment, or are currently receiving treatments, that may be the cause of your sore gums. Painful sores, mouth ulcers, and painful gums are all potential side effects of chemotherapy.

Hormone Changes

Changes in hormone levels may be the cause of your sore gums. Those who are going through puberty or menopause may be at risk for this problem to arise.

Women who are pregnant, menstruating, or taking birth control pills may also experience gum problems due to changing hormones.

Tobacco Products

While it may seem enjoyable, tobacco has many side effects, sore gums being one of them. Cigarettes and other tobacco products may be the cause of your sore gums.

To reduce damage to your gums, and the rest of your body, stop using tobacco products, including chewing tobacco or smokeless tobacco.

Dentures that Don't Fit

If you wear dentures, you may be experiencing gum pain from those. What starts as minor irritation and pain may develop into bigger issues if the tissue is damaged, so make sure your dentures fit properly!

Too Much Stress

We all know that stress has negative side effects, but did you know that stress can cause gum pain?

Stress may lead to a neglect of proper oral hygiene. It also elevates your body's level of cortisol, which may lead to inflammation.

Consider ways you can take some stress off and see if it helps relieve your sore gums.

Food That's Too Hot

Your gum pain may be the result of burns within your mouth. Eating overly hot food or drinking scalding liquids can cause this issue. Your gums may not feel painful right away, so you may have to think back to diagnose this issue.

If you suspect you may be experiencing pain from burns, eliminate overly hot items from your diet. You can still consume the items you love, just wait for food and drinks to cool off before consuming them.

The Reason Why Your Gums Hurt

Gum problems can be annoying and painful and they shouldn't be neglected. Whether you just have something from dinner caught in a place where it shouldn't be, or you haven't flossed your teeth in a while, you can likely pinpoint where the pain is coming from.

One of the best ways to prevent sore gums is to properly care for your mouth. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing, and using mouthwash may help. But remember to make sure your products aren't causing the problem, and don't brush or floss too aggressively.

Consider the list above and see what you might be able to change. Maybe one of these ideas will bring you the relief you're looking for. Once you've identified why your gums hurt, so all you can to prevent the problem in the future.

Has it been a while since you had a dental checkup? Call or email us today and we'll help you achieve the best oral health possible.