The 11 Main Causes Of Gum Pain

Gum pain is a common condition and can have many different causes.

Swollen and painful gums are common. Bleeding is also common when brushing or even chewing.

This condition may appear occasionally or recurrently, but it can be very bothersome in both cases.

Determining the cause of gum pain is key to relieving discomfort and preventing further episodes.

Gum pain: the most common causes

A swollen and painful gum can appear for various reasons.

The most common are periodontal diseases, overly aggressive brushing, mouth ulcers, and certain dental treatments.

So, these are the 11 most common causes of gum pain:

1) Periodontal disease

The buildup of plaque (tartar) on the teeth can cause infections . As a result, the gums become inflamed, red, and may bleed when brushing. They may also begin to recede.

This is the initial stage of gum disease and is known as gingivitis.

In this early stage, there isn’t always pain. However, if the disease is left untreated and progresses to a more severe stage (periodontitis), tooth and gum pain are common.

In periodontitis, bacteria also affect the structures that support the teeth, putting the teeth at risk.

Gingivitis and periodontitis are often caused by poor oral hygiene habits. However, genetics, diseases such as diabetes, and certain medications can contribute to periodontal problems.

Gum disease is also a possible effect of tobacco on oral health.

At the same time, the use of dentures, orthodontics, and poorly aligned teeth promote the accumulation of bacterial plaque on the teeth and gums. These factors can contribute to gingivitis.

2) Very aggressive brushing

Brushing your teeth too hard can cause gum recession.

As a result, the tooth becomes more exposed and is a common cause of toothache.

Other times, brushing or interdental cleaning irritates or damages the gums, which can cause redness, inflammation, and pain.

3) Mouth ulcers

Canker sores ( also known as mouth ulcers) can appear on the gums and cause pain.

If there is gum pain and sores , the source must be determined to begin the most appropriate treatment for canker sores .

For their part, the most frequent skin infections in children are one of the main causes of canker sores during childhood.

Periodontal disease, overly aggressive brushing, and canker sores are some of the most common causes of gum pain.

4) Dental treatments

Gum pain is also common after various dental procedures.

These include tooth extraction, dental implant placement, and orthodontic treatments.

Gum pain after an extraction is expected, as microtrauma may have occurred in the area. However, the discomfort usually subsides within 4 or 5 days.

The same goes for gum pain from a dental implant. It’s an invasive procedure, and it’s common to experience some discomfort in the area in the days following surgery.

Orthodontic treatments, on the other hand, produce changes in the gums so that the teeth can move. Therefore, they often cause inflammation and pain every time the braces or aligners are adjusted.

Gum pain and tooth sensitivity may also occur after a professional cleaning (prophylaxis) or teeth whitening.

In both cases, irritated and painful gums may appear temporarily.

Likewise, poorly fitting dentures can cause gums to become red and swollen, causing discomfort. This is known as denture stomatitis.

5) Dental abscess

A dental abscess or phlegmon is the inflammation of the gum of a tooth due to a bacterial infection.

This presents as a painful ‘lump’ on the gum. This lump is a deposit or pocket of pus.

Abscesses are a common cause of gum pain in the tooth . This is because brushing and cleaning teeth is often more difficult in the back of the mouth.

In this sense, gum pain in wisdom teeth usually occurs when there isn’t enough room for the teeth to fully erupt. The surrounding gum tissue then becomes irritated and infected, causing pain and swelling.

The discomfort is often significant and limiting, and toothaches tend to worsen at night.

Sometimes, abscesses are preceded by the sudden onset of halitosis, or bad breath. Therefore, this symptom could be a warning sign.

Painless gum lumps are usually not abscesses, but rather fibromas. These are characterized by hard, round lumps. Their appearance is often related to the rubbing of poorly fitting dentures.

6) Hormonal changes

Hormonal fluctuations in women can cause gum pain at certain stages. Specifically, during puberty, before your period, during pregnancy, after childbirth, and during menopause.

Of all of them, perhaps the most frequent and well-known is gum pain during pregnancy.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy make gums more sensitive and promote the growth of bacteria that cause gingivitis.

This pregnancy gingivitis can occur in any trimester, but is usually more noticeable in the second.

7) Bruxism

Bruxism can also cause gum damage. The accumulated stress causes people to unconsciously clench or grind their teeth, which is detrimental to all dental structures.

Thus, we can talk about gum pain due to nerves, since people tend to report more discomfort during periods of greater anxiety.

8) Medications

Gum pain due to medications is another possible cause. These include anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, calcium channel blockers, oral contraceptives, and antidepressants.

9) Nutritional deficiencies

There is some evidence that a deficiency in some vitamins can cause gum inflammation and pain. Specifically, vitamins B, C, and D.

10) Allergies

Some fruits and vegetables can cause itching in the mouth and inflammation of the gums. This is known as oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Nuts can also cause itching.

At the same time, certain toothpastes or mouthwashes can irritate the gums.

11) Tooth eruption

The emergence of baby teeth can cause gum pain in babies. The discomfort can be mild and localized to the eruption area.

So, this is not a myth about toothache in babies.

In case it causes discomfort in children, there are different measures to relieve the discomfort of the first teeth .

How to relieve gum pain

To soothe gum pain, it is necessary to know the cause the causes it.

Still, there are several effective measures to alleviate discomfort when it comes to a specific problem.

Gargling with salt water is one of the most popular remedies for gum pain. Salt is a natural antibacterial agent and helps reduce inflammation.
Using an antibacterial mouthwash can relieve tooth and gum pain.
Apply an oral anesthetic spray. These usually contain benzocaine, a fast-acting local anesthetic.
Take medication for gum pain . The most recommended are ibuprofen and paracetamol. There are other, more potent painkillers, but these should be reserved for severe tooth pain and only used with a doctor’s prescription.
Maintain proper dental hygiene. Even if your gums are sore, continue brushing and cleaning your teeth.
Limit your intake of foods and beverages that cause tooth sensitivity or irritation of the mucous membranes and gums. This includes foods that are acidic, hard, or spicy.