Painful or bleeding gums can be caused by aggressive brushing or flossing, using a toothbursh that’s too stiff, hormonal changes, other health conditions or treatment side effects from chemotherapy. If your gums are sore and bleeding, it’s important to seek prompt care from your dentist. Gum pain could be a sign of periodontal (gum) disease, or may be a sign of an allergy or another condition. Your dentist will be able to determine if the cause of your gum pain is originating in your mouth or from something else and will guide you toward correcting the problem.

Other reasons for gum pain could be canker sores – mouth ulcers caused by stress or injury to gum tissue, or an underlying health condition, weakened immune system, nutritional deficieices or gastrointestinal disease. Or you may have a cut caused by braces or retainers, in which case you’ll want your dentist to make adjustments to prevent continual pain.

Yes! If your gums hurt or bleed contact our office for an emergency gum pain relief appointment. Red, swollen gums that bleed easily are a sign of gingivitis (gum disease) and needs immediate care. Your Ranieu Family Dentist will restore your mouth to health and give you an at-home gum health plan. With proper care and maintence, you can keep your teeth healthy.

If left untreated, painful gums may lead to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontis, or periondontal disease, which causes tooth absess and may lead to tooth loss. In addition, gum disease has been linked to other health conditions such as heart and lung disease.

Schedule an emergency gum pain relief appoinment with your Vancouver, WA dentist if you have ongoing gum pain or any of these symptoms:

• Bleeding gums
• Red, swollen gums
• Gums that pull back from your teeth
• Dentures that don’t fit right anymore
• Pain when you chew
• Loose teeth
• Teeth that are sensitive to hot or cold

It’s important to be aware of other symptoms you may experience and keep your dentist informed of anything you notice. You may experience additional symptoms along with gum pain, such as:

• Bad breath
• Bleeding gums
• Blisters
• Bright red appearance to gums
• Gums that are tender or sensitive
• Painful mouth sores or ulcers
• Receding gums
• Swollen gums

These could be symptoms of other health conditions in addition to periodontal disease, so communicate with your dentist and other health care providers.

Your dentist will treat the cause of your gum pain and restore your mouth to optimal health. In addition, we’ll recommend a customized at-home are plan to ensure your oral health stays in tip top shape. Your emergency gum pain relief treatments may include:

• Scaling and root planning – deep-cleaning procedure that removes plaque, calculus, and tartar from the tooth surface both above and below the gum line then smooths the surface below the gum line to reduce future bacterial growth.
• Antibiotics or antimicrobials – prescription antimicrobial rinse or topical antibioticapplied directly to the affected areas can get rid of harmful bacteria.
• Bite adjustment – if some teeth are loose, your dentist may adjust the way your teeth touch each other — especially if you have teeth-grinding or clenching habits — to prevent further damage that can lead to gum recession and infections.
• Drainage or tissue removal – using a very small needle to remove infection, drain the abcess or remove infected tissue from the area.
• Tooth extraction – in some cases, infected teeth need to be removed by your dentist in order to preserve the surrounding tissues and teeth.

To keep your gums healthy and prevent gum disease, we recommend you brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day, in addition to routine professional dental hygiene cleanings.