Suffering from Sore Gums?

Sore gums could be early warnings of something more serious.

As tiny babies, even the slightest scratch is likely to set us off in floods of tears, seeking cuddles from our parents. As we grow up though, we learn to take some of the knocks of life without too much complaint. Scrapes and grazes and even a little localised pain can often be ignored in the knowledge that it will soon go away, leaving no lasting effects.

Unfortunately, whilst this is a natural, and in many ways, healthy, approach; it can lead to incorrect thinking when it comes to preserving our oral health.

Relative pain

When it comes to a toothache, there are few of us, even dental phobics, that will not seek out professional dental care to resolve the problem. Toothache though can be severe and all consuming, whilst other problems are much less so. One of the more minor uncomfortable oral health issues involves the gums. In many cases, this may simply be a case of the gums feeling a bit sore. The degree of this can vary according to time of day or even what we have eaten.

For many people, and especially those who are afraid of dentists, the discomfort may not be significant enough for them to seek help. Unfortunately, this can lead to deterioration of the person’s oral health. In all likelihood, any persistent soreness is likely to be an early indication of gingivitis, or gum disease. This is common across the UK, including our own local Bromley residents and has serious potential consequences if it is ignored and allowed to advance.

Bleeding gums

It is not only soreness that may be an indication of gingivitis, but bleeding gums also. Many patients of the Smile Dental Practice tell us that they presumed any bleeding whilst brushing was caused by rough edges on the toothbrush. Whilst this may be true in a few cases, the majority of bleeding gums is likely to be caused by gum disease. Whilst soreness and bleeding are the two most common symptoms of gum disease, they are far from the only ones and others may include bad breath, a metallic taste, abscesses and ulcers amongst other things.

It is also quite possible to have gum disease with barely any symptoms at all, and it is for this reason that we encourage both young and older Bromley dental patients to have their teeth and gums checked at least twice yearly at our practice. By doing so, any early buildup of plaque and tartar (hardened bacteria) can easily be removed in a painless procedure. Failure to do so can result in far more uncomfortable deep cleaning and may even be too late to prevent tooth loss in some extreme cases.

If you have sore or bleeding gums, or have simply not seen one of the dentists at the Smile Dental Practice for some time, please call us today on 020 8462 2473 to have your mouth thoroughly checked.