How Long do Swollen Gums Last?
If you have ever heated food in the microwave or oven and been too hungry or excited to wait until the food was cool enough to eat, then you know how uncomfortable burning your mouth can be. Whether its your tongue, lips, roof of your mouth or gums, that burning sensation can disrupt the rest of your day or longer every time you eat, drink, or brush your teeth.
But burning your mouth on food is not the only reason why your gums could be in swollen and in pain. If your gums are severely swollen or the swelling lasts longer than a week, you should make an appointment with the dentist. It is most likely an indication that something more serious is happening.
There is a condition called burning mouth syndrome, or BMS, that affects not only the gums but the tongue, inside of the cheeks, back of the throat, and roof of the mouth. The symptoms of burning mouth syndrome can be persistent over time or they may come and go. This condition can cause people to feeling tingling, burning and swelling throughout the mouth. Additionally, an increased thirst or a dry mouth feeling with a metallic taste can accompany the swollen gums.
The cause of burning mouth sensation can change from person to person so the treatment will change as well. Women who are going through menopause, imbalances in hormones, deficiencies in vitamins, medications, fungal infections, and endocrine disorders are all linked to BMS. It may even be as simple as using a hard bristled tooth brush too aggressively.
If you are using a new toothpaste or a mouthwash with alcohol, then you may be causing your gums to swell from those ingredients. Your gum tissue may be more sensitive to the new substance you are introducing to the soft tissues in your mouth. There are oral rinses without alcohol and if you are concerned about your toothpaste, then you can reach out to the dentist to discuss a different option or recommendations. The burning and swelling may be an allergic reaction.
If the swelling is only in your gums and it is not affecting any other soft tissues in your mouth, then you may need to talk to the dentist about gingivitis. Gingivitis or gum disease can cause your gums to swell, bleed, turn red, and even feel like they are burning. The earliest stage of gum disease is reversible when the dentist intervenes with professional cleaning. The bacteria and plaque buildup on the teeth along the gums causes the gums to become irritated and separate from the teeth. Later stages of gum disease require more invasive cleaning and procedures but can lead to tooth loss if they are ignored. The best way to prevent and treat gingivitis is to improve your at home dental routine and maintain regular twice yearly dental appointments.
Depending on the cause of your swelling, you can take actions to prevent it from worsening. First, try to avoid alcoholic, carbonated, and acidic beverages like cocktails, soda, and lemonade; those kinds of drinks will only help keep your gums swollen longer. Next, use an oral rinse without alcohol and minimize the amount of spicy food you eat. Habits like chewing gum, smoking, and using nicotine can cause your gums to swell and to stay swollen. Healthy habits like drinking plenty of water and making an appointment with dentist if your gums stay swollen more than a week without improvement will help you feel better quickly.