Swollen Gums

It's important to not only take care of your teeth, but your gums as well. If they are puffy, inflamed, or enlarged, you should take extra care and keep an eye on them. After all, it could be a sign of something more serious.

Causes of Swollen Gums

Swollen gums can become abnormally enlarged and cause the area to bleed. This can be quite uncomfortable and unpleasant looking. Complete coverage of the tooth by swollen gums is not common; however, one or two of the triangular shaped pieces between the teeth can easily become swollen for a number of reasons.

• Bacteria buildup
• Infection from a virus or fungus
• Poorly fitting dentures
• Scurvy caused by vitamin C deficiency
• Pregnancy or other hormonal changes
• Side effects of certain medications

Prevention and Treatment

Good oral hygiene alone will do wonders for your oral health, but it's also important to visit your dentist regularly for dental cleanings and other procedures to help ward off gingivitis and reverse the effects of gum disease. Diet has a lot to do with oral health as well. Avoid excess sugar- it can feed bacteria- and drink plenty of water. Water is essential for our bodies and helps remove food particles from your teeth.

You should also avoid things that irritate the gums like mouthwashes, alcohol and tobacco. It will only make the situation worse. One thing that people tend to overlook is stress. Stress is not only bad for your overall health, but it can cause swollen gums as well. Not to mention, levels of the hormone cortisol are raised when you are stressed, which leads to inflammation throughout the body-even in your gums. If you catch it early enough, though, you can prevent swollen gums along with the more serious conditions that can follow. This can save you time, pain, and hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in the end.