Sensitive Gums? What You Need To Know

When most people think of dental care, they think about their teeth. However, the gums should also be a priority and area of focus, since they are the support your teeth need. Unfortunately, certain conditions can affect the look, feel, and underlying health of your gum tissue. In turn, issues with your gum tissue will lead to problems that affect your teeth.

Tooth sensitivity a common condition many people face, but having sensitive gums is also an issue you may develop at one point in time. With this guide, you will understand the causes and treatment options for sensitive gum tissue.

Probably Gum Disease

First and foremost, if your gums are inflamed, swollen, and incredibly sensitive, you probably have gum disease. Since there are numerous stages of this disease that progressively gets worse, having your gums evaluated by a dentist is imperative for treatment.

In some instances, a thorough cleaning by your dentist can ease the symptoms of an early stage of gum disease while stopping it from spreading to a more serious case. In more severe cases, laser technology may be used to remove the diseased gum tissue that is causing your discomfort.

Maybe Hormones

Another surprising fact to know about sensitive gums is that the issue may stem from hormonal changes in your body.

An increase in the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, leads to an increase in blood flow to the gum tissue.  This increased blood flow leads to swelling and inflammation, making them more sensitive.

Certain stages of life can cause hormones to fluctuate. If you are in puberty or menopause, your hormones are most likely out of balance. Being in the midst of your menstrual cycle or taking birth control pills also affects hormone levels. Also, pregnancy causes numerous hormonal changes, which may lead to gum sensitivity among other problems.

If you are dealing with hormonal imbalances that are affecting your oral health, consider talking with your primary care doctor and dentist for tips on how to restore your gums and oral health back to a healthy, comfortable state.

Brushing Issues

Finally, many people are surprised they are dealing with gum sensitivity because of how they brush.

Excessive force used while brushing, such as a hard scrubbing back and forth, will irritate the gum tissue, causing them to be inflamed and sensitivity.

If you are using an old toothbrush or a toothbrush with hard bristles, you may also develop sensitivity gums. Make sure to replace your toothbrush regularly and use one that has soft bristles only to keep your teeth and gum tissue safe. For more information, contact a dental care provider like Elizabeth Loseke DDS.

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