Gum irritation is one of the most common dental frustrations of our time. Even the healthiest of mouths sometimes experience sore gums. While this may seem like a minor discomfort, when gums feel sore, it’s often because the gums are slowly detaching from the tooth. When this happens, food, bacteria, and plaque can all begin to gather in the loose pockets between the gum and tooth. When too much bacteria gets into these pockets, a person can experience painful swelling and occasional bleeding. Even though sore gums can happen to anyone, there are times when the issue gets serious, and an individual should seek medical attention in order to receive sore gums treatment.

First an individual should do a little bit of self-examination. How long have you been experiencing your soreness? If it’s temporary, or only occurs after you’ve eaten certain types of food, you may be able to take your own precautions by avoiding those types of foods. It also might be a mouth ulcer or a canker sore, in which case you can typically buy specialized rinses or creams to help heal the soreness. In serious cases of ulcers and canker sores, you can see a medical professional and he or she can help you find the right antibiotic to combat the soreness. Some women experience gum pain when they are pregnant, going through puberty or menopause, or taking new forms hormonal birth control. When there is a change of hormones in the body, more blood is brought to the gums and can lead to irritation and bleeding. If you are a smoker, or use chewing tobacco, you may also experience this irritation. In these cases, it is not completely necessary to see a dental professional for sore gums treatment, but recommended if the problem worsens.

Another common cause of gum soreness is an individual’s lack of personal dental care. Poor flossing and brushing habits can lead to damaged gums, and even gingivitis. In these cases, when the soreness cannot be remedied by a change in diet or medicine, an individual will want to seek medical attention. They should be able to help aid you in getting the proper treatment for your sore gums. How do you know if you may be a candidate for gingivitis? This common gum disease comes in many forms, and often occurs to many individuals at some point during his or her life. If you notice bleeding, or experience pain, when brushing or flossing, you may have a minor form of gingivitis. You may also experience pain when eating or chewing. While many cases of gingivitis are minor, and treatable with increased personal dental care, it is better to be safe and gather the opinion of a medical professional.

Sore and bleeding gums may be common problem among many individuals, but it is still an issue that should not be taken lightly. Even if you think you know the cause of your bleeding gums, it’s not a bad idea to further investigate the problem. Dr. Naik, and other dental professionals in the Northern Virginia area, are ready to assist any potential gum problems with experienced sore gums treatment. With proper care and attention, you can start to remedy your gum irritation.

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