What You Need To Know About Swollen Gums

When most people think about oral hygiene and dental health, they usually focus on preventing cavities in their teeth. Although this is important, it is also very important to pay attention to your gums. Your gum’s health is essential to your dental health but also to the overall health of your body.

It is vital to recognize warning signs that your body gives you and swollen gums is one of those warnings that should not be neglected.

Swollen Gums Is A Warning Sign

For many people swollen gums is an early indication of periodontal gum disease and should be taken very seriuosly. Gum disease is a dangerous infection of the body that often goes unchecked for years. It often starts out with symptoms like swollen gums, bleeding gums, small pockets, red irritated gums , and bad breath, but more advanced stages can cause large pockets, receding gums, and bone loss. Because bone has an extensive blood supply, the blood vessles and heart are continually exposed to bacteria and toxins from the infected bone and gums. You might think that this couldn’t happen to you, but 85% of American adults over the age of 35 suffer from some form of gum disease. If left untreated gum disease can not only lead to tooth loss, but has been proven to increase the risk of heart disease, pancreatic cancer, premature pregnancy, and has been linked to a host of other health problems and life-threatening diseases.

Something to Think About

Based on what you have read about swollen gums and gum disease, what would your reaction be to a similar infection on a different part of your body? Lets say your ankle was infected and it started to swell, bleed and then started causing an unpleasant odor. Wouldn’t you want to get that infection treated? Why should your gums be any different?

By now you know the severity of gum disease and you understand that swollen gums is a warning sign that should be investigated. The next step is to understand what is causing your swollen gums, and then learn what you can do to stop this problem.

What Causes Swollen Gums?

There are a number of factors that can cause swollen gums and you will probably be surprised when you learn what they are:

Brushing Your Teeth Improperly

Most everyone has been taught to brush their teeth at least two times per day, and this is a good habit to keep. The problem is that many people brush too vigorously, or they brush the wrong way. Remember that your gums are made of sensitive tissue, so you need to be careful not to damage them by brushing improperly.

Whether you choose to brush with a electric or manual toothbrush, choose a brush with soft nylon bristles that have blunt ends. Brushing with medium or hard bristles can cause damage to your gums and also can damage the enamel on your teeth.

Flossing Your Teeth Improperly

Flossing every day is very important for your dental health because flossing removes plaque from the hard to reach places that your toothbrush cannot reach. If you are not careful, forcing the floss between your teeth can damage your gum tissue. Make sure when you floss your teeth that you carefully slide the floss up and down, following the shape of each tooth.

Bacteria Problems

Normally swollen gums can be traced back to a bacteria problem. Our mouths constantly produce bacteria and though having bacteria in our mouths is normal, they can easily grow out of control. Some people produce more bacteria than others, but usually bacteria grows because of sugar that we eat in our food. Once bacteria problems begin, they normally work their way between your gumline and teeth. At this stage you will usually notice bleeding, swelling and sensitivity – though these symptoms will often go unnoticed for some time. If bacteria are not removed from the gumline, they can form calculus (calcified plaque) which creates an open door to the pocket in your gum line where the bacteria gathers and reproduces very quickly. If left unchecked, these bacteria will produce toxins and begin to damage the gum tissue and bone around the tooth.

Toothpaste and Mouthwash

Chemicals in toothpaste and mouthwash can not only cause skin irritation but they can also dehydrate your mouth allowing bacteria to multiply faster. Most oral hygiene products that are available on the market today are loaded with potentially harmful ingredients. One of the most dangerous chemicals found in toothpaste is called Soduim Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). Because of its foaming property, SLS has been added to toothpaste to give the impression that the toothpaste is working. Although this ingredient works great for marketing, it is quite corrosive and harmful to skin tissue. Mouthwash often contains alcohol which can cause dehydration and other oral health problems. Your body naturally produces saliva that contains enzymes that fight bacteria, but when you overload your mouth with chemicals and processed foods your salivary glands do not function properly.

Before you buy any more toothpaste and mouthwash, make sure to read the warning label. Even Mediline Plus (a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health) state the following:

“Avoid using commercial, alcohol-containing mouthwashes, which aggravate the problem.”

“Change your toothpaste brand and avoid using mouthwashes if your swollen gums are caused by sensitivity to toothpaste or mouthwash.”

How To Improve Your Oral Health

Improving your oral health is pretty simple as long as you are using an effective oral hygiene program and a bacteria fighting product that does not interfere with your mouth’s natural functions. Over the past 10 years we have developed an effective oral hygiene program and a powerful, natural bacteria fighting solution that will help you get your mouth in mint condition.

If your oral health is in jeopardy, do not delay, click on the 4 step program below now.