Swollen gums are caused more often due to poor dental hygiene and microbial infection. In this article, we have explained the reasons as well as the remedies for this condition. Read on…
You can sense your gums are swollen while touching it with your tongue. The gum becomes hard, turns red and it aches a lot while eating. The discomfort caused is immense when the gums present in the back of your mouth get inflamed. You will notice that it has turned red in color and the lump like structure is intensely painful.
Causes of Swollen Gums in Back of Mouth
- The most common reason behind gum swelling in the back of your mouth is inflammation, caused due to a toothpick. When you try hard to remove food particles trapped between your teeth with a toothpick, it might scratch your gum causing it to swell. The gum gets infected and it becomes more susceptible to bacterial growth.
- Ill fitting dentures, braces and crowns cause terrible discomfort to the gums. Infection, swelling and pain become rampant when your dentures are not fixed properly. They further trap food particles and you find difficulty in eating when your gum has swelled.
- If you are deficient in vitamin C, then swelling in gums is something that will affect you frequently. Other vitamins whose deficiency might cause swelling are vitamin B, calcium and folic acid. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol, smoking and eating excessive sugary foods also cause swelling in the gums.
- Oral hygiene is important to avoid suffering from such problems. When you fail to take care of your teeth and gums, then they are bound to ache and swell. Plaque builds up when you do not brush your teeth properly. This happens when food gets stuck between your teeth, affecting your gums to a large extent. Bacterial infection in the gums also causes swelling. This condition is medically termed as gingivitis.
- Other factors that are also reasons behind pain and swelling in the gums are herpes infection, side effects of drugs, lack of flossing and unhygienic eating habits. Gums also swell when you brush harshly or when the bristles of your brush is hard.
Remedies for Swollen Gums in Back of Mouth
- One of the best age-old techniques that has proven beneficial for tooth and gum problems is clove oil. You can soak a cotton swab in clove oil and secure it in your gum. Close your mouth for 10 minutes to allow the oil seep into your gum. Try this treatment thrice a day to get quick results.
- To avoid getting plagued by swollen gums, you must follow an appropriate dental hygiene. Brush your teeth once in the morning and before going to bed. Make sure that the bristles are soft, that do not cause pain to your gums. Never strike the brush to and fro, rather follow circular movements. Rinse your mouth properly so that no trace of toothpaste remains.
- Gingivectomy is performed to remove tissues affected with gingivitis. However, this is the last option when medicines and ointments fail to cure the swelling. The clinical process is known as cauterization, that eliminates the extra tissue from your gums.
- Make a solution of warm saline water and gargle with it preferably after eating. It offers you relief from the pain and the swelling also subsides. Use dental floss after brushing if the particles do not come out. However, flossing should be done under the advice of your dentist.
- Incorporate citrus fruits in your diet and eat plenty of green vegetables. When your body receives adequate amount of vitamins and minerals then chances of developing swollen gums is largely reduced. You should also include plenty of dairy products in your diet to improve the health of your gums and teeth.
A periodical dental check up is recommended for everyone irrespective of whether you are suffering from swollen gums or not. Try the swollen gums remedies explained along with the treatment suggested by your doctor to get rid of the pain and discomfort.
