Gum pain can be a miserable experience. Even in its mildest form, it’s a major annoyance, and if it’s caused by an abscess or infection, the pain can be excruciating. We’re going to examine the most common reasons for gum pain, with tips on how to treat it and prevent it from recurring.
As a quick overview, here are some common types of gum pain, with causes that may apply to your condition:
If you experience pain during or after brushing, you may be brushing your teeth too vigorously, or using a brush with bristles that are too hard. Try using a brush with softer bristles that are easier on your teeth. And be sure to brush gently, using small circular movements combined with short strokes that move back-and-forth along your teeth and gumline.
Flossing too forcefully can also cause gum pain. When you floss, use gentle sliding motions with a quality coated floss, and don’t overdo it.
Gum pain in one particular spot could be caused by inflammation due to gingivitis in that particular area. Canker sores, an abscessed tooth, or a more serious problem can also cause gum pain, either in one spot or in multiple areas.
General pain along the length of your top or bottom gums may be symptomatic of conditions from mild inflammation caused by gingivitis, to serious mouth diseases such as cancer, which we’ll discuss below.
If you’re experiencing unrelenting gum pain, it may be due to a chronic condition like gingivitis, inflammation, and infection from an untreated abscess, or a more serious condition.
Here’s a look at some specific causes of gum pain, and what you can do to prevent them.
According to the CDC, 47.2 percent of adults (30 and older) experience some form of periodontal disease. This is often gingivitis, a relatively mild inflammation, or periodontitis, which is an advanced form of the same condition.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that, in severe cases, can cause gum tissue to disintegrate, resulting in gum infections, bone damage, and tooth loss.
Gingivitis is caused by a number of factors, including:
One of the primary symptoms of gingivitis is gums that hurt, since the condition causes gum inflammation. Common warning signs of gingivitis include:
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, visit a dental professional as soon as possible to begin treatment before it gets worse. Treatments for gingivitis include:
An abscess occurs when the soft tissue inside a tooth’s root canal dies and gets inflamed. If the inflammation goes untreated, the area can get infected and cause your gums to hurt.
Symptoms of an abscessed tooth include:
An abscess is typically treated with a root canal, as well as antibiotics. If you suspect an abscess, be sure to see your dentist right away, because you don’t want the inflammation and infection to spread.
Canker sores are painful sores usually located inside your cheeks and lips or under your tongue. Canker sores are sometimes red, and sometimes coated in white. Doctors aren't sure what causes them, but you might be able to prevent them by limiting spicy or acidic foods and practicing good oral hygiene.
If your canker sores are mild, you can successfully treat them at home by taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen for the pain. In addition, you might try two over-the-counter medicines, Orabase and Zilactin-B, which you can apply to the sores.
In many cases of "Why do my gums hurt?" the cause isn't serious and can be easily remedied. However, it’s important to mention that, in some cases, the culprit may be oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer. Hopefully, your gums hurt because of something less serious. But if it is cancer, you’ll want to get diagnosed and start treatment immediately.
When it comes to oral cancers, the numbers are indeed sobering, with annual statistics from the American Cancer Society showing 54,000 new cases of oropharyngeal or oral cavity cancer, and 11,230 resulting deaths, per year.
Oral cavity cancer and oropharyngeal cancer typically occur in these specific areas:
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you’ll want to see your doctor right away:
One of the biggest risk factors for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer is tobacco use. There are other risk factors as well, including age, overall health, genetics, and diet.
It’s an unavoidable fact that oral cancer risks are much higher in people who continue to smoke or chew tobacco. When it comes to cancer risks, no tobacco product is safe for you to use — whether you smoke a cigarette, a pipe, or a cigar.
In addition, tobacco products such as snuff, chewing tobacco, or dissolvable tobacco are strongly linked to cancers of the gums, cheeks, and inner lips. These tobacco products can also destroy bone sockets and cause gum disease and tooth loss.
On the plus side, if you quit, you have a chance of saving yourself from these devastating cancers. The American Cancer Society offers a page, “How to Quit Smoking or Smokeless Tobacco,” which can help.
Here are several other primary risk factors for developing oral cancers:
Even if you don’t think these risk factors apply to you, if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, be sure to schedule a visit with your doctor. Your doctor may decide to send you to a specialist or dentist. Regardless, the sooner you get diagnosed, the sooner your healing can begin.
Oral health is a huge factor in your physical fitness and quality of life. If you’re ready to improve your health through better oral care, Pearly can help. We offer the world’s first oral health management app, where you’ll learn all about good oral hygiene, plus tips for better dental healthcare and maintenance.
Just download the app to get started, and learn how to enjoy better health and well-being through daily dental care.
