A swollen gum can be caused by a number of things. Regardless of the cause, this dental problem is not normal. The swollen gum treatment depends on the cause. Pregnancy and puberty cause hormonal changes that make patients susceptible to swelling. In these cases, good oral home care and regular professional cleanings are important.Another common cause is something getting trapped underneath the gums. A popcorn kernel can be very irritating especially when bacteria attack it and cause a dental infection. The gums have to be numbed and surrounding gums cleaned.
A swollen gum can be from a bone defect between or around the tooth roots. This is a sign of periodontal disease and should be treated. The initial procedure for treating periodontal disease is scaling and root planing. Once the gum tissue shrinks, it is re-evaluated. Swelling can be caused by a dental abscess from a dead tooth. The dead tooth should be extracted or treated with a root canal. Unfortunately, many dead teeth don't hurt. This is why it is important to have regular dental x-rays and be aware that a swollen gum remedy at home may not be the best thing to do.
A swollen gum can be caused by an erupting wisdom tooth. Sometimes the tooth above bites the tissue and causes pain. The dental treatment is to remove the tooth biting into the gums, place the patient on a dental antibiotic and remove the wisdom tooth when the area has settled down. In rare cases, it can be due to an abnormal growth on the gingiva. In most cases, growths are harmless but occasionally are due to cancer. It is important to consult a dentist early if you have a family history of cancer.
The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. They offer comprehensive General, Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry including gum disease treatment. If you have a swollen gum and would like to schedule a free dental consultation with Atlanta Family Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky, call 404-874-7428.