In the last article, we talked about some of the internal causes of sore gums. In this article, we will discuss the external factors.
One cause of gum pain is trauma from aggressive brushing, sometimes accidentally. Remember that hard oral hygiene is not good oral hygiene. It is more about using good techniques and putting in the required time. We’re always happy to review proper brushing and flossing techniques with you. Proper brushing should take about two minutes (it may feel like an hour, so you might want to try timing it to see how you do). This is also why, today, it is almost impossible to find a medium or hard toothbrush. Soft brushes will work fine if used correctly and avoid the damage that harder brushes can cause. Another factor can be trauma from hard or hot or spicy food, but this is easy to avoid if you are careful and, usually, we know when this has happened.
Some medications will lead to swollen or tender gums. These include some medicines used to treat heart disease, principally calcium channel blockers, those used to suppress the immune system in patients with autoimmune diseases, and medicines used to treat seizures. Also, some vitamin deficiencies can lead to inflamed gums, classically vitamin C, and the B Complex, especially B12. You should have your B vitamin levels checked at your annual physical.
While knowing the causes of sore gums is helpful, the best ways to keep your mouth and gums healthy are regular exams and cleanings from your dentist.