Pain in the mouth, more specifically in the gums, is a very annoying symptom. Losing enjoyment of food, eating less, weight loss and stress are just a few other complications of gum pain. Sore gums have many causes, which are divided into conditions and environmental factors. A visit to the dentist or medical treatment is not always necessary, but when certain symptoms occur in combination with sore gums, drug and/or dental treatment is required. Finally, good dental and oral hygiene prevents many problems with the teeth and gums.

• Conditions and sore gums

• Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
• Canker sores
• Joint dysfunction
• Gingivitis
• Heart disease
• Ludwig’s angina
• Melanoma in the mouth
• Migraine
• Oral herpes
• Oral thrush
• Periodontitis
• Sinusitis
• Tooth infection
• Nerve dysfunction

• Environmental factors and gum pain
• Symptoms
• Alarm signals
• Home remedies for treating gum pain

Conditions and sore gums

Headache may also occur with acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis / Source: Geralt, Pixabay

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (trench mouth) is a relatively rare infection of the gums. Gum pain, bleeding gums, chronic bad breath, severe mouth pain and redness of the gums are the most common symptoms. The gum pain caused by the condition requires emergency treatment with antibiotics and special mouthwash to relieve the pain. The dentist also removes the old gum tissue to promote healing and reduce pain.

Canker sores

A patient may have gum pain due to the presence of canker sores in the mouth (mouth ulcers). White sores with red edges appear in the mouth. This non-contagious condition usually resolves spontaneously within one to three weeks. Large ulcers can be very painful and it is best to have the patient examined and treated by a dentist. It is best for the patient to avoid spicy, salty and acidic foods when he has canker sores.

Joint dysfunction

The jaw joint is sometimes inflamed, leading to pain in the teeth, gums or jaw (jaw pain). This pain is often present when chewing or biting.Smoking is a risk factor for gingivitis / Source: Geralt, Pixabay

Gingivitis

The most common cause of gum pain is inflammation of the gums, which is medically known as gingivitis. One of the most common causes of gingivitis is the build-up of plaque and/or tartar on the teeth and gums, leading to irritation and pain in the gums. Plaque is a sticky layer made by food particles, mucus and bacteria. After a while, the plaque hardens into tartar. Plaque and tartar on the bottom of the teeth lead to irritation and infection of the gums.Other causes of gingivitis include:

• other systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus, immune system problems, genetic disorders, etc.)
• certain medications (calcium channel blockers, immunosuppressants, etc.)
• drug abuse
• hormonal changes during pregnancy or puberty
• mechanical irritation (brushing the teeth too hard, dental treatments, etc.)
• smoking
• stress
• vitamin deficiencies

Gingivitis causes red gums, bleeding gums, swollen gums and gum pain. The dentist removes plaque and tartar. Left untreated, gingivitis leads to periodontitis (inflammation and damage to tissue and bone that support teeth). This causes painful dental abscesses for which the doctor must prescribe medication and sometimes also drain the abscess (drain pus). Sometimes the patient also loses one or more teeth.

Heart disease

Problems in the mouth are sometimes also linked to heart problems. Sudden swelling of the gums, gum pain and severe toothache may indicate an impending heart attack.

Ludwig’s angina

In Ludwig’s angina, the soft tissue under the tongue and at the back of the mouth is infected. The bacterial infection often occurs after an oral injury or an infection of the tooth roots. Epiglottitis (inflammation of the epiglottis), sialoadenitis and dental abscess are some of the infections that lead to Ludwig’s angina. In addition to gum pain or toothache, other signs are also manifested such as a swollen tongue, neck pain, swollen neck, redness of the neck, difficulty swallowing, drooling, fever and chills, among others. These infections occasionally cause life-threatening swelling of the airways, leading to stridor (wheezing) and difficulty breathing. Urgent medical treatment is required via antibiotics. Symptomatic control of narrowed or blocked airways is also necessary. Furthermore, some patients receive dental treatment.

Melanoma in the mouth

Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is a rare form of skin cancer that often affects the elderly and has a poor prognosis. Brown colored skin changes on the gums, swelling of the gums, mouth pain and soreness of the gums are the characteristic symptoms of melanoma affecting the mouth. A biopsy of the lesion is necessary to make the diagnosis. The doctor surgically removes the lesion. Radiation therapy is often needed after surgery to improve control of the disease.

Migraine

Migraines, a form of one-sided headache, may cause gum pain or toothache.

Oral herpes

Herpetic stomatitis is an inflammation of the oral mucosa caused by the herpes virus. This condition usually develops early in childhood. As a result, the patient suffers from aphthous mouth ulcers, which are not the same as normal mouth ulcers because normal mouth ulcers are not the result of a virus. Fever, mouth pain, gum pain and sore lips are manifested. Self-care measures are usually sufficient to treat oral herpes (oral herpes), but in patients with a weak immune system or patients with severe complaints, treatment is necessary.Probiotics are useful for oral thrush / Source: HealthGauge, Flickr (CC BY-2.0)

Oral thrush

Oral thrush (oral candidiasis) is a fungal infection that causes a white coating (layer) to form on the tongue or tongue. Eating yogurt with live cultures (probiotics) is useful for many patients, but if the symptoms do not disappear, medical attention is needed. The doctor often prescribes antimycotics (antifungals).

Periodontitis

Untreated gingivitis results in periodontitis, an advanced gum disease. This infection often develops gradually, but sometimes the symptoms develop very quickly. The following symptoms occur:

• bleeding gums
• bad breath
• an altered bite
• swollen gums
• chewing pain
• red or purple gums
• gingival abscesses
• receding gums due to new spaces between the teeth

The dentist performs a professional cleaning of the teeth, which removes the bacteria under the gums.

Sinusitis

Infections of the sinuses (sinusitis) can lead to pain in the mouth, teeth or gums.

Tooth infection

A dental infection can also cause tooth and gum pain. A buildup of plaque on the tooth surface causes the tooth to erode and cause an infection within the tooth itself. Plaque also ends up in the space between the tooth and the gums, leading to infections of the gums and the tissue and bone around the gums.

Nerve dysfunction

Poor functioning of the nerves that supply the face causes pain in the gums, teeth or jaw. This often shooting pain only occurs on one side of the face.Gum pain may be the result of poorly fitting dentures / Source: Jim Sneddon, Flickr (CC BY-2.0)

Environmental factors and gum pain

Sometimes gum pain is due to brushing the teeth too hard. Hormonal changes (menstruation, pregnancy, menopause) also cause swollen and painful gums. Wearing braces or dentures that do not fit properly leads to irritation, resulting in pain in the gums. A visit to the dentist may result in pain in the gums because many dental treatments and dental operations cause pressure on the gums. Chemotherapy for cancer treatment has many unwanted side effects, including gum pain, swollen gums, and gum bleeding due to stomatitis. Finally, the use of bad toothpicks for the removal of food debris is associated with gum pain.

Symptoms

Symptoms that may accompany gum pain include:

• breathing problems
• bleeding gums
• bad breath (halitosis)
• an expansion of the gums
• a swelling in the mouth
• fever or chills
• pain when chewing
• changes in the appearance of the gums

Alarm signals

The patient visits a dentist when one or more of the following symptoms appear:

• persistent sore gums (more than one week)
• breathing problems
• bleeding gums
• unable to open the mouth
• ill-fitting dentures
• a white coating on the teeth and tongue
• loose teeth
• pain when chewing
• red, swollen gums
• teeth that are sensitive to heat or cold
• gums that recede from the teeth

 Good dental hygiene is necessary / Source: Photo Mix, Pixabay

Home remedies for treating gum pain

Some self-care measures relieve sore gums and ensure good oral and dental hygiene:

• use modified toothpicks (with small brush-like tips).
• only use toothbrushes with soft or extra soft bristles
• rinse the mouth with warm salt water
• scraping the tongue daily with a tongue scraper to remove accumulated bacteria from the tongue (this ensures healthier gums)
• Apply gels, creams or balms directly to the sore gums
• visit the dentist annually for a dental check-up
• use mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide
• quit smoking
• Avoiding sugary foods and drinks
• Brush your teeth twice a day and floss your teeth once a day to clean the gums
• taking over-the-counter pain relievers and using them correctly

read more

• Gingivitis: Inflammation of gums due to plaque on teeth
• Aphthous Mouth Ulcers: Painful aphthous ulcers (ulcers) in the mouth
• Bleeding gums: Causes and tips for bleeding gums
• Gum abscess: Causes, types, symptoms and treatment
• Bumps on gums: Causes of pimples and lumps