Is a Gum Infection Serious?

If you have recently discovered the symptoms of infected gums, you’re rightfully concerned. Gum infections are painful, look unattractive, and can make eating nearly impossible.

In most cases, however, gum infections are not that serious. That doesn’t mean you don’t need to take action, however. If you’ve noticed gums that are swollen, bleeding, and have pus in them, you should take the following steps immediately:

• Make an appointment with your dentist
• Begin rinsing with salt water or hydrogen peroxide several times a day.
• Begin taking greater care in your oral hygiene routine.

Rinsing with salt water or hydrogen peroxide should give you relief from your symptoms and will also help to begin the healing process. Your dentist can prescribe antibiotics to kill the infection, and may give you medications to control the pain and swelling if necessary.

Stepping up your oral hygiene routine can help prevent further gum infections. Your dentist can discuss with you the exact cause of your gum infection, particularly if it is the first one you’ve had.

Most gum infections are the result of receding gums. This means the gum tissue has moved away from the teeth. This recession causes pockets to form, which trap debris and food. It is usually this trapped debris and food that leads to the infection.

Stepping up your oral hygiene routine if you have receding gums can help in two ways. First of all, it will help ensure that any food or debris that gets trapped is quickly removed. Secondly, it can help control the bacteria in your mouth that leads to plaque. Bacteria and plaque are at the root of your gum issues. Doing a better job of getting rid of the bacteria in your mouth can help prevent your gums from receding further.

Gums that have receded will not likely go back into place on their own, even with a diligent oral hygiene routine. You may require oral surgery to take care of some of your problems. But, you can prevent further recession and make your mouth healthier overall with good oral hygiene. And, if your gums have not yet started to recede, you can help prevent this recession, and the problems that go along with it, with good oral hygiene.

Though your gum infection today may not be serious, ignoring it can cause serious problems. So, take care of your mouth and see your dentist right away if you suspect a gum infection.