How Long Do Swollen Gums Last?
Swollen gums are not only annoying in and of themselves, but they are also often indicative of a bigger underlying issue. If your gums swell due to something inconsequential, they may only swell for a short amount of time. Otherwise, your gums may be swollen for a while.
What Causes Swollen Gums?
There are a few different things that can lead to swollen gums. Some of the causes of swollen and/or bleeding gums include:
- Hard brushing. If you are brushing and/or flossing too hard, you may end up damaging your gums. You also may be using a toothbrush with bristles that are too hard.
- Gingivitis. A common reason for swollen gums is gingivitis. This gum disease is caused by a buildup of bacteria around the gumline in the form of plaque. This plaque eventually hardens to tartar.
- Periodontitis. Periodontitis is the next level of gingivitis. At this point, your teeth and gums are at serious risk.
- Malnutrition. You need to have a variety of different vitamins and minerals to ensure your body is healthy. This includes the health of your gums.
- Not having the right amount of vitamins C and B can lead to swelling of your gums.
- Canker sores. Canker sores are painful sores that may lead to swelling of the gums.
How Long Do Swollen Gums Last?
How long your swollen gums last depends on what the problem is. If you are simply brushing too hard, the issue should resolve quickly. If you have gingivitis, on the other hand, you may find that your gums stay swollen for quite a while.
How Do I Address Swollen Gums?
How you address your swollen gums depends on what is causing your gums to swell to begin with. With that said, here are some things you can try to address your swollen gums:
Be gentler. Brushing and flossing hard can cause gum swelling, so consider brushing softer. Also consider a softer bristle brush.
Proper nutrition. Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet, and make sure your diet is diverse. This will help to address malnutrition.
Teeth cleaning. If your gums are swollen because of an issue like gingivitis, the only way to reduce the swelling may be to have your gums professionally cleaned and possibly even deep cleaned.
When to Visit Your Dentist
Gums sometimes swell and even bleed. While this shouldn’t happen often or for too long, it’s not an immediate cause for concern. If you notice your gums are swollen for more than a week or often, though, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with your dentist. From there, your dentist will take a look at your gums and your teeth to diagnose the problem. If they decide it’s gingivitis or periodontitis, they will provide you with different options for treatment.
Take good care of your gums to avoid swelling. If they keep swelling, schedule an appointment with your dentist today to stop the progression of an underlying issue that is resulting in their swelling.