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Overview
Sometimes when looking at yourteethin the mirror — while brushing or flossing — you notice that you have a swollen gum around one tooth. Although this might seem uncommon, it’s not that unusual and it could be attributed to a number of different causes.
There are various reasons that your gum could swell in one area, including poor hygiene, gum disease, or an abscess.
Poor hygiene
If you don’t brush and floss properly, you can leave behind food debris. This missed debris can cause decay and inflammation. Over time, this can develop intogum disease. Signs of poordental hygienemay include:
- pale gums
- red gums
- swollen gums
- bleeding while brushing
- pus leaking from a tooth
- loose tooth
- bad breath
- bad taste in your mouth
Gum disease
当口腔细菌感染牙龈组织surrounding the tooth, it can cause inflammation, which can lead toperiodontal disease.
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- tender or bleeding gums
- sensitive teeth
- loose teeth
- gums pulling away from teeth
Abscess
Anabscessed toothis often the result on an untreated cavity that has allowed bacteria to infect your tooth. Symptoms of an abscessed tooth may include:
- pain
- swollen gums
- swollen jaw
- fever
It’s important to see your dentist if you think you have an abscessed tooth. The infection won’t go away on its own. If left untreated, it can spread to your jawbone. It’s rare, but possible, that the infection can spread, leading to very serious health problems.
Our mouths contain bacteria. These bacteria combine with mucus and other components in our mouths to formplaqueon our teeth. If plaque isn’t brushed and flossed away, it hardens into tartar.
Plaque and tartar buildup can then lead to gum disease. A common, mild gum disease, known as gingivitis, is characterized by red and swollen gums that bleed easily.
If gingivitis isn’t treated, it can transform into a more severe gum disease known asperiodontitis, which is characterized by loose or sensitive teeth and painful chewing along with red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums.
If you have periodontitis, your gums can pull away from your teeth giving easy access to bacteria that can cause infection. If not treated, this can start to break down the soft tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place.
Although most people, given the right factors, can get periodontal disease, there are certain factors that increase the risk, such as:
Saltwater rinse
A
Two to three times a day, mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 8 ounces of warm water. Swish the mixture around your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out.
Tea tree oil rinse
A
Turmeric gel
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After letting it sit for 10 minutes, rinse off the gel by swishing fresh water around your mouth and then spitting it out.
Shop for turmeric gel.Practicing properdental hygieneis one of the most important things you can do to prevent problems such as gums swelling around teeth. Take these steps for strong dental hygiene:
- Remove bacteria by brushing after meals and before bedtime.
- Floss at least once each day.
- See a dentist twice a year for checkups and professional teeth cleaning.
If you notice a swollen gum around one tooth, it might be the result of gum disease, poor dental hygiene, or an abscess. Visit your dentist to make sure that your swollen gum is properly treated.
Spending a few minutes a day practicing good dental hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing can save you the discomfort, time, and expense of treating a health issue such as periodontal disease.