Why Do My Gums Hurt?

Do your gums hurt after flossing? Do you have sore gums after eating? You are not alone: nearly half of adult Americans suffer from gum disease. But gum disease isn’t the only possible cause of sore gums, either in general or after eating, flossing, or brushing. If your gums are sore, you might suffer from one or more other factors, including vitamin deficiency, hormones, illness, improper brushing or flossing, or the use of incorrect oral care products for your mouth.  

Possible Causes of Sore and Sensitive Gums

Swollen gums or gums that are bleeding are frequently linked to gum disease, which has two stages:  

Gingivitis

Sore gums are often one of the first signs that you might be suffering from this early, mildest form of gum disease. Elementa Silver offers products that prevent and provide gingivitis treatment at home.  

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a more advanced stage of gum disease with serious consequences, including possible tooth loss and the development of other health problems.  

Other possible causes of sore and sensitive gums:

 

• Diet

Proper nutrition supports good oral health. A healthy, well-balanced diet that includes recommended daily requirements for vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C, vitamin B, and calcium, minimizes your risk of developing sore gums and gum problems.   

• Hormonal Changes

Changes in a woman’s hormones can affect their gums. During puberty, an influx of hormones can lead to swelling and sensitivity due to increased blood flow to the gums. Just before a woman’s menstrual period, her gums might become swollen and be more likely to bleed. From the second or third month of pregnancy through the eighth month, some women develop gums that hurt or swollen and bleeding gums. During menopause, some women experience unusually dry gums, which in turn can cause soreness and an increased likelihood of bleeding gums.  

• Stress

Many people wonder: Can stress cause gum pain? Gums and stress have a connection since stress heightens the cortisol levels in the body, which can increase inflammation throughout the body, including the mouth and gums.  

• Tobacco 

Using tobacco products such as cigarettes, snuff, and chewing tobacco can cause gum disease, and increases your risk of sore gums, as well as oral cancer. There is also evidence that general gum loss is due to tobacco.  

• Oral Cancer

Some of the symptoms of cancer in the mouth are sores that will not heal, a growth or lump in your mouth, difficult or painful swallowing and loose teeth.  

• Improper Oral Hygiene

Though regularly brushing and flossing your teeth is important, maintaining a diligent oral hygiene routine is critical for keeping your mouth healthy and helping prevent sore gums.  If you have sore gums after cleaning, whether after brushing or flossing, you could be brushing too hard or using an improper flossing technique. You might benefit from switching to oral care products that help prevent and provide gingivitis treatment at home.   If your gums hurt after eating, you might be suffering as a result of a food or dental product allergy, burns, an abscessed tooth, or a blood disease. Always consult your dentist or doctor if you notice sensitive or sore gums for a prolonged period of time.  

Hurt and Sore Gum Relief

In many cases, the cause of sore or sensitive gums is connected to oral hygiene. If your gums hurt, the best place to start is with improved oral hygiene practices.

• Use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
• Floss at least once daily, and remember to use a proper flossing technique to prevent sore gums after flossing. 
• Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of calcium and vitamins B, C, and K to satisfy vitamins for teeth and gums.
• Visit a dentist regularly, at least twice a year.
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Switch to oral care products that better meet your dental needs, whether it is for basic cleaning or to provide gingivitis treatment at home.

 

Using the Right Toothpaste and Mouthwash

If your gums are sore after brushing, you might not be using the right toothpaste or mouthwash for your gums. Products with nano silver could improve your dental health, and Elementa offers a unique line of products such as tooth gel and  natural mouthwash for gums and gingivitis prevention. Nano Silver naturally has antibacterial and antifungal properties. At nano size, silver particles can penetrate the biofilm and better destroy bacteria cells to regrow gums naturally. Biofilm, or plaque, is the layer of bacteria that builds up over time on the surface of your teeth. One of the benefits of nano silver is that the particles can more easily penetrate the outer coating of the biofilm. A nano silver solution releases silver ions directly inside the biofilm to target acid. Nanosilver shouldn’t be confused with colloidal silver, since nanosilver is significantly more effective at protecting enamel and balancing the oral biofilm by reducing acid. Check out these tooth gel and mouth rinse products that contain nano silver, and learn how switching to Elementa products might improve your oral health and hygiene to better prevent sore, swollen, or bleeding gums.