“A smile can change the world.” We often hear this line from the people around us. A smile can change sad situations into lighter ones and can give hope to someone who has lost it. But how can one smile confidently with swollen gums and bad breath?
Also called gingival swelling, “swollen gums” is not just a simple problem. It is not something to be ignored and expected to be gone after a few days. It can be a sign that something worse is happening to the gums, thus it needs to be treated the soonest time possible. Oral hygiene does not only mean absence of cavities on the teeth but also healthy gums. According to research, gums do not just determine oral health but health of all body parts.
There are many factors that can cause swollen gums. Some of them are enumerated as follows;
- Malnutrition – Proper nutrition is also important in maintaining oral health. Eating sweet foods is not good for the teeth and gums. Foods rich in Vitamins C can help make the gums healthier.
- Improper brushing of the teeth – Oral health professionals always reminds us the proper way of brushing our teeth at least two times a day. For some, brushing is an ordinary part of daily activity while others tend to ignore or take it for granted. Gums have susceptible tissues that need to be given extra care and others brush too harshly resulting to damaged gums or swollen gums.
- Bacteria attack – Bacteria formation in the mouth is normal but it can cause serious problem if it accumulates uncontrollably. Bacteria production rate differs from one person to another as sugar intake differs as well. Sugar boosts bacteria growth inside the mouth. Once bacteria start to attack, it penetrates in the areas between the teeth and the gum line making a hole in gingival pockets where they assemble and grow rapidly. Then the next thing that will develop is swollen gums.
- Wrong choice of toothpaste or mouthwash – You cannot always trust less expensive toothpaste or mouthwash to aid quality oral cleanup. You have to be careful in choosing a product because gums are so sensitive that if they are not compatible with the toothpaste or mouthwash, they can cause damage causing bacteria to grow rapidly. Other dental aids contain chemical which are not good for the gums and harmful to skin tissue.
These are just some of the factors that can cause one to have swollen gums. You have to consult a dentist to find out whether your way of taking care of your dental area is right. Do not wait until it becomes too late to correct them.