Oral health extends well beyond flashing those pearly whites! We all know that daily brushing, flossing, and visiting your family dentist is a large part of taking care of your dental needs and overall health.
How Do Itchy Gums Impact Your Oral Health?
Every single one of those steps sets you up for success. But even with the best of intentions, we can have seemingly random things come up that affect our health. In the world of oral health, one of those things can be itchy gums.
What causes itchy gums? How can I prevent itchy gums? Is this normal? Not to worry! We’ll walk you through a number of reasons as to why you might be experiencing itchy gums and all the ways you can treat and prevent this from occurring.
What Causes Itchy Gums?
First things first: you’re not alone. We know that itchy gums can be uncomfortable and irritating. Identifying the cause of itchy gums is the first step in getting yourself treatment. The team at Shining Smiles Family Dentistry understands this could be a bit confusing to figure out.
To help narrow down what causes itchy gums, let’s look at the following.
- Gingivitis – Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can begin as gingivitis. Gingivitis is caused by plaque build-up and bacterial infection. Gums can have a very dingy smell and itching can also occur.
- Dry Mouth – Our mouths have a natural “flushing” ability through the use of saliva. Saliva keeps things flowing and filters out a lot of bacteria. However, a number of medicines or physical conditions can lessen saliva production and cause your mouth to become dry, which makes your gums itch.
- Hormones – As if they didn’t already cause enough trouble! During puberty, menstruation, and even pregnancy or menopause, your hormones can run the gamut. These fluctuations can cause your gums to be sensitive and itch.
- Allergies – Seasonal allergies and even pet allergies can cause your gums to itch. Sinuses can become dried out and as your gums are in close proximity to your sinus cavity, it’s only natural that they would become affected, as well.
- Plaque – Plaque is a substance that can accumulate on your teeth. Plaque is odorless and cream-colored in appearance. Excess food and other debris can cause plaque to increase over time. Too much plaque will cause symptoms like itchy gums.
What Can I Do To Treat Itchy Gums?
Once you’ve been able to determine the cause of your itchy gums, you’re halfway there in figuring out how to treat them. If there are few causes at play, our team at Shining Smiles can determine the best course of action to assist you.
- From plaque and tartar removal to utilizing over-the-counter allergy medicines or antihistamines, our dentist can walk you through the correct approach in getting you relief.
- There are also a number of things you can do at home to take care of your itchy gums. Swishing with salt water can calm your gums down and provide relief from the itching. Make sure the water isn’t too cold or too hot. Lukewarm water is best.
- Continue to be diligent in brushing and flossing your teeth to remove any debris and buildup that, over time, will only foster an unhealthy environment for your teeth. This daily habit can do more long-term good for your teeth and oral health than you may realize! Itchy gums included.
Shining Smiles Family Dentistry Can Help
You can always count on the Shining Smiles Family Dentistry team to provide you with the care you need. You don’t have to deal with itchy gums on your own.
Call our office today at (770) 420-8550 to schedule an appointment. We can assess the cause of your itching and create a plan to get your mouth back to feeling happy and healthy again!
Resources: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/itchy-gums
