What causes swollen, bleeding and sensitive gums?

Much like how strong foundations are important to build a long lasting and durable building, strong and healthy gums are a prerequisite for healthy teeth. However, for a variety of reasons, many people choose to ignore proper oral care, focusing mainly on the teeth. They fail to understand that no amount of brushing the surfaces of the teeth can prevent them from falling out if they have a serious gum disease.

Will swollen gum lead to bleeding?

One of the most common problems associated with gums is swollen, tender gums that are prone to bleeding. This seemingly simple medical malady is so common that it is not termed as gingivitis in medical circles. The reason for the occurrence of gingivitis boil down to one simple fact in almost all cases: inadequate oral care. When people choose to ignore the day to day activities such as brushing and flossing, there is a drastic increase in the population of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria live reside and metabolize in a thin, soft layer on the surface of the teeth called plaque. As a consequence of their metabolic reactions, they produce a number of toxins and enzymes that attack the surfaces of the gums, slowly starting to eat the away, finally becoming overly sensitive, red and inflamed. However, gingivitis does not affect the bone structure or the foundations of the teeth, but if it remains ignored, it can lead to acute gum diseases.

The best way to counteract this problem is to take good care of your mouth, rather than just your teeth. Gently brushing your gums and teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily and using a mouthwash recommended by your dentist can help curb swollen gums. These acts help to decrease the quantity of bacteria in your mouth by removing plaque and food particles, leaving them with nothing to feed upon.

However, if left untreated, gingivitis can pave the way for a far worse gum disease: periodontitis. Periodontitis is also characterized by swollen, tender gums, although at a much more accentuated scale than those observed in patients suffering from gingivitis. In such cases, the bacteria attack the teeth and bones from below the gum line, slowly eating away the connective gum tissue that hold the teeth. Not only does this cause the gums to swell and bleed, but it also weakens them to the extent that they can no longer support the teeth, causing them to eventually fall out. The treatment for periodontitis is far more complicated, painful and expensive, as the dentist has to delve below the gum line to carry out a thorough cleaning.

In either case, swelling, tenderness and bleeding gums are the indications of the onset of a far more dangerous disease that can be a threat to your teeth as well as the rest of your body. In fact, diaereses have been related to increased frequency of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Hence, it is important not to ignore swollen and tender gums, but to take the necessary countermeasures and visit a dentist to ensure that these seemingly simple symptoms lead to a far more dangerous disease.