So your gums feel weird and sensitive and you aren’t sure why? You’re not alone! Plenty of people experience sensitive gums at some point in their life. Understanding the cause behind sensitive gums is fundamental to treating the source – and the symptom.
There are a number of potential causes behind sensitive gums – some are more serious than others. We’ll discuss those first.
Fortunately, there are also a number of treatments for sensitive gums available too! We’ll explore those after!
Let’s dive in. Here’s everything you need to know about sensitive gums: causes and treatments.
Potential Cause #1: Brushing your teeth too hard
Believe it or not, brushing your teeth too hard can lead to a number of health problems! It may feel like you’re scrubbing away the plaque and bacteria when you press your toothbrush hard against your teeth, but you may actually be damaging your tooth enamel and causing your gums to recede.
‘Over-aggressive brushing’ can wear down the protective enamel on your teeth, which can’t rebuild itself. Once your enamel is gone, it’s gone for good! It can also push your gums upward, causing them to recede and reveal your tooth roots. Both of these situations can cause some seriously sensitive gums.
Potential Cause #2: Gum disease
Gum disease, also called periodontal disease or periodontitis, is more common than you may think. According to the CDC, 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease risk increases with age – 70.1% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease.
Gum disease is an infection in the gums that eventually works its way down into the jaw bones, causing inflamed gums, loose teeth, tooth loss, and bone loss. Gum disease is not one to be taken lightly!
One of the predominant signs of gum disease is gum sensitivity. When gum disease is present, the gums may become inflamed, turn red, bleed when you brush and floss, and feel tender when you eat, brush or floss.
Potential Cause #3: Unhealthy habits
Your gums will only take care of you if you take care of them! If your body is deficient in certain minerals or vitamins, your gums don’t have the nutrients they need in order to fight off bacteria and infection. Eating a poorly balanced diet with low nutritional value can leave your gums more susceptible to infection and more likely to feel sensitive.
Smoking tobacco is another no-go when it comes to healthy gums. Smoking weakens the immune system, making it harder for the gums to defend themselves and nicotine specifically inhibits fast healing in the body. It narrows the small blood vessels that normally bring oxygen, nutrients, and healing factors to the injured area – which slows down the healing process significantly.
Not only can smoking leave you more susceptible to gum disease, but it also stops your body from healing properly afterward.
So, what’s the remedy for sensitive gums? Let’s move on to the good news.
Sensitive Gums Treatment
The best treatment route for your case will depend on the cause behind your sensitive gums, and the severity of your condition. For example, if you have gingivitis (the earliest stage of gum disease) we may recommend a scaling and root planing treatment to rid your teeth and gums of bacteria.
If you have a later stage of gum disease (advanced periodontitis), a more complex treatment, like flap and osseous surgery, may be necessary to reduce areas where bacteria can grow.
For patients who are simply brushing their teeth too hard, we recommend lightening up on the toothbrush. Consider an ADA-approved electric toothbrush that has a pressure sensor to alert you when you’re brushing too hard. This can make it easier to correct your habit!
If you’re wondering, “Why are my gums sensitive all of a sudden?”- be sure to eat a balanced diet, brush and floss your teeth twice daily, kick the smoking habit (for many health reasons), and visit one of our periodontists to ensure that you don’t have gum disease.
We’ll help you treat the source of your sensitive gums, so you can keep your beautiful natural teeth for a lifetime!
Still have questions about sensitive gums?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. We’re here to support you and your gums! If you’re looking for a top periodontist in Tampa or New Port Richey, we’d love to meet you! Request an appointment today.
