Our Blog
02
Sep
What’s Making Your Gums Sore?
Are your gums uncomfortable? Do you experience soreness around your teeth? Are your gums inflamed and red? Chances are good that this is gum disease and you should see a dentist, but there are also some other potential causes you should consider.
Nutrition
As with any part of the body, your gums need proper nutrition to stay healthy. In particular, vitamin C and folic acid are essential to healthy gums. For more information on natural ingredients that could help your gums avoid soreness, see Gum Disease and Natural Supplements.
Brushing
Brushing teeth too hard is one of the most common causes of irritated gums and the primary cause of receding gums. Make sure you have a soft-bristled toothbrush and you brush your teeth gently. Moving the brush in small circles can help you avoid the vigorous back-and-forth or up-and-down motions that can irritate your gums.
Flossing
Flossing is good for your gums. It helps remove bacterial plaque from between the teeth and around the gum line, but if you’re flossing too hard, you may be irritating your gums. Work the floss in between your teeth gently, curving the floss around the tooth to make sure you remove as much plaque as possible.
Canker Sores
Canker sores are localized sores in your mouth that are also known as mouth ulcers. Common canker sores typically affect people between the ages of 10 and 20 and recur several times a year. Your gums will be sore in only one or a few spots, and the sore spots will have visible ulcers, typically raised and pale in the middle, more red and inflamed around them.
Hormonal Gingivitis
For some women, hormones can lead to increased blood flowing through the gums, leading them to become red, swollen, and tender. This is most often associated with puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation.
Eliminated These Possibilities?
If you’ve explored these possible causes of gum soreness, the chances are that it’s gum disease. To be evaluated by a Beverly Hills periodontist, please call (310) 275-5325 for an appointment at Nicolas A. Ravon, DDS, MSD.