People mostly associate dentists with caring for teeth and treating toothaches. These doctors can also diagnose and treat gum pain. In fact, this condition could have several causes, some of which require early intervention to prevent worsening complications. Therefore, anyone with gum pain that doesn’t seem to go away within a few days should seek dental help.
What Is Gum Pain and How Is It Different from Tooth Pain?
Pain in the mouth when chewing could come from several different sources. It could originate in the teeth from a cavity or infected tooth. However, swollen or infected gums may also cause pain. Mouth sores are another source of pain in the mouth. Unless an individual can easily point to the direct spot with the greatest pain, knowing whether the problems come from the teeth, gums, or elsewhere is difficult.
Gum pain differs from tooth pain in several ways. First, the pain does not appear on the biting surface as tooth pain does. However, some people with pain in their gums may feel discomfort when eating, especially if they have a sore on their gums. Eating or drinking acidic things can irritate sore gums.
Symptoms That Often Accompany Pain in the Gums
Pain in the gums is often not the only symptom patients feel. They may also experience any of the following signs that their gums require attention:
- Red gums
- Swelling
- Tenderness or bleeding from the gums
- Loose teeth
- Sores on the gums
- Pain when chewing
- Bad breath that brushing, flossing, and rinsing cannot remedy
These symptoms with pain in the gums indicate a possible infection or other condition that a dentist should examine and treat.
What Causes Gum Pain
Several conditions can result in gum issues. Some of these conditions don’t directly impact the gums, while others do. Therefore, getting a professional dental exam is the best way for a person to find out the exact cause behind their gum issues.
Periodontal disease starts as inflammation of the gums known as gingivitis. This condition worsens without treatment until it creates open pockets at the base of the teeth that can become infected. Good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings from a hygienist can prevent this condition. Those who already have gingivitis may need periodontal treatment known as root planing and scaling to remove the infected material and clean deeply between the teeth and gums.
Another possible cause of pain in the gums is a tooth infection. Abscessed teeth have infections in the canals of the tooth root. These infections can cause swelling, redness, and tenderness in the gums around the tooth root. In some instances, the patient may require root canal therapy to remove the infection and correct the gum and tooth problem.
No one likes to think about oral cancer. However, this condition could cause gum issues in more advanced stages. Oral cancer is readily treatable when caught early. So, everyone, especially those at risk of this disease, should have regular oral cancer screenings from their dentist to spot signs of this condition. Those most at risk include people who smoke, drink alcohol, or have a family history. Anyone concerned about this type of cancer should discuss screenings with their dentist.
Get Treated for Gum Pain Before It Gets Worse Call Us at Greenwood Dental for an Evaluation
Gum pain can indicate a possibly serious problem. Dental exams can help patients find out what causes gum pain in their cases. Getting treatment as soon as possible from quality dentists in Lake County, IL, increases the chances of successfully correcting the cause of the gum issues without complications. Contact us at Greenwood Dental at 855.528.3961 or connect with us online for an appointment. Healthy teeth start with healthy gums. We help our patients to have both.
