Originally published July 2020. Updated September 2021.
Whether you have sensitive gums, swollen gums, or bleeding gums, ongoing pain and discomfort can distract you from everyday life.
A trip to the dentist can help. Not only will they check your gums for what might be causing you pain, but routine cleanings can help prevent early stages of gingivitis, one of the biggest causes of gum sensitivity.
But gingivitis isn’t the only culprit – in fact, there are quite a few factors that could be causing you to wince every time you brush. Take a look below for causes of gum pain and options for treating it.
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What Causes Sensitive Gums?
There are many possible causes of sensitive gums, from brushing too vigorously to stress and hormones. Check it out:
- Brushing or flossing too vigorously: If you notice pain after brushing or flossing, it’s likely you’re doing so with too much vigor. Lighten the pressure and look for a toothbrush with soft or ultra-soft bristles.
- Gum disease: Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and, thankfully, it’s reversible. As gum disease worsens, plaque (the soft, sticky film on your teeth that contains millions of bacteria) spreads below the gums. This can lead to periodontitis, which is irreversible. During periodontitis, plaque accumulation triggers an inflammatory response causing bone loss around the teeth. If left untreated, this can lead to tooth loss .
- Poor diet, malnutrition: Poor nutrition affects more than your just your body – a vitamin c deficiency can hinder your body’s ability to fight the progression of gum disease.
- Smoking: We’ve talked a lot about the affect smoking and tobacco use has on your oral health. Tobacco decreases blood flow to your gums which can increase your risk for gum disease and may damage the gums and lead to gum recession and oral cancer. Tobacco also weakens your immune system which can affect the way your gums heal.
- Diabetes: Diabetes’ effect on the health of your gums is not to be taken lightly. Elevated glucose levels in your saliva can contribute to growth of bacteria and plaque, leading to gum pain, cavities, and possibly gum disease.
- Hormonal changes: According to the American Dental Association, when hormones change during pregnancy, puberty, menstruation, and menopause, blood flow increases to the gums, which can make them more tender and sensitive.
- Oral ulcers and sores: Canker sores, oral infections, and trauma can irritate gums and lead to pain and inflammation.
- Stress: Like with most health conditions, elevated stress levels can make gum sensitivity worse. Increased stress leads to elevated levels of the hormone cortisol, which can increase inflammation in the gums.
How to treat sensitive gums
There are things you can do at home to help with gum pain, but ultimately, if it doesn’t improve, you will want to talk to your dentist. They will be able to determine if there is an underlying cause for your pain or if other treatment methods are needed.
Home remedies for gum pain
- Improve your dental hygiene: Properly brush teeth twice a day and floss once a day. Brush gently using a soft or ultra-soft bristled brush. Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and move the brush back and forth gently. Make sure you brush all surfaces of the teeth. When flossing, gently glide and rub the floss in between and along the side of the teeth in an up and down motion. The closer you get to the gums, the more of a C shape you want to create with the floss against the tooth.
- Use mouthwash: Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria. For best results, look for products with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.
- Drink more water: When you can’t brush after a meal, drinking water helps rinse food and bacteria from your mouth.
- Focus on nutrition: Eat a healthy balanced diet to ensure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals to support your body and oral health.
- Quit smoking: Quitting all tobacco use will help heal your gums, lessen sensitivity, and reduce your risk of gum disease, gum recession, and oral cancer.
- Stress management: Sleep, regular exercise, and meditation can all help lessen cortisol levels and decrease inflammation in the gums.
- Over-the-counter medications: OTC meds like Orajel can help with pain related to oral sores (if using these medications on infants, make sure they’re medication free and intended for these age groups). Pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen may also help.
Dental office treatments for gum pain
- Professional Dental Cleaning: You should always visit your dentist on time for professional dental cleanings – at least every 6 months or as often as your dentist recommends. Your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning to remove plaque and tartar below your gums, which can stop the progression of periodontitis.
- Inspect braces or dentures: Gum trauma or irritation related to braces or dentures may require an adjustment by your dentist. They may even prescribe over-the-counter anesthetics containing topical benzocaine that can help as your gums heal.
- Get checked for possible autoimmune disease: If your dentist suspects an underlying condition, you may need additional testing. In rare cases, gum sensitivity is the first symptom of an autoimmune disorder. Your dentist can help rule this out or help you seek treatment if necessary.
The outlook is good for sensitive gums
Soreness or sensitivity in the gums is often treatable and reversible. When the pain persists for more than a few days, it is important to visit a dentist and start the treatment process. Pain shouldn’t keep you from focusing on the things that matter in your life.
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