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Swollen Gums Causing Pain Behind Front Teeth
If your gums are swollen behind your front teeth, it can cause discomfort or pain behind front teeth, sometimes linked to gum pain in one spot, bleeding gums, or even a hole in tooth contributing to inflammation. Reasons why gums can become swollen and tender include:
- Gum disease, where gum tissue becomes infected and inflamed. It can start to feel tender to the touch and begin to bleed easily.
- Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can increase gum sensitivity to bacteria that cause gum disease. Consequently, gums can become swollen, tender, and red, and more prone to bleeding.
- Vitamin deficiencies, such as receiving inadequate vitamin C, can increase the risk of gum inflammation.
- Allergies to certain oral care products, for example, some people find that a foaming toothpaste increases gum sensitivity. It can also be a reaction to certain medications or foods.
- Tobacco usage can significantly increase the risk of gum disease, and gums are less able to fight infection.
Symptoms of Swollen Gums
Several symptoms can indicate your gums are swollen, and they will likely appear red and inflamed. Other symptoms can include:
- Bleeding while brushing and flossing or at other times.
- Receding gums.
- Tender, painful gums.
- Bad breath or an unpleasant taste.
- Pus buildup between teeth and gums.
- Teeth that feel loose or changes to your bite.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Swollen Gums
A dental exam will soon determine if your gums are swollen, which may be causing pain and discomfort. We may recommend taking digital dental X-rays if there are signs of severe infection and inflammation. If severe gum disease is suspected, we will recommend a periodontal evaluation to assess its severity.
Once we have made a diagnosis, we can prescribe suitable treatment, which will depend on the cause.
Often, gum disease is a problem that can be treated by professionally cleaning teeth or performing a deep cleaning of the teeth and gums. We may combine this with laser gum surgery to help remove tissues that are more severely infected. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat gum disease, and we may recommend or prescribe an antibacterial mouthwash to support the treatment.
Other Issues Causing Swollen Gums
If other issues are causing this problem, such as allergies, we can recommend neutral, non-foaming toothpaste. We may refer you to your healthcare provider if we suspect that a medication may be causing the issue. Allergy testing can help determine if certain foods are the culprit.
Smoking is bad for oral and general health, so we would always recommend the patient try to quit if possible. We can provide useful advice, or you can ask your health care provider for their help.
Additionally, we recommend eating a balanced and nutritious diet that contains plenty of lean protein and fresh fruits and vegetables to support good gum health and overall well-being.
Sore Upper Palate Causing Pain behind Front Teeth
If the problem is caused by a sore spot on your upper palate, it may cause mild pain behind front teeth or tooth sensitivity, which usually heals quickly with proper care. However, it can be useful to determine the cause and know how to care for your mouth until it heals.
Possible causes can include:
- Burning your mouth on food or beverages that are too hot.
- Mouth ulcers.
Eating or Drinking Something Too Hot
If the cause is simply due to eating something too hot, then you may experience mild discomfort for several days until your mouth heals. There is little you can do in the meantime other than eat cooler, soothing foods.
You can purchase medicated mouthwash for mouth sores, and these can provide some relief while helping to keep your mouth clean. If the problem doesn’t improve after a few days, then contact us for further help and advice.
Mouth Ulcers
Mouth ulcers appear as small sores or open wounds and can have a grey or yellow center surrounded by a red border. Mouth ulcers are not contagious, but they can be very painful.
Treating Mouth Ulcers
You can purchase over-the-counter remedies for mouth ulcers, and these should heal within one to two weeks.
While it is healing, try to avoid spicy foods or anything too hard or crunchy that could irritate or cause discomfort. It’s also a good idea to avoid alcohol and tobacco products, as these can slow down healing.
When to Contact Us for Mouth Ulcers
If you have a mouth ulcer that fails to heal properly or is causing significant pain, please contact us so we can properly evaluate it. We can determine if further treatment is needed and, if necessary, take a biopsy for closer evaluation.
It is rare, but sometimes a mouth ulcer can be a precursor for a more serious issue like oral cancer. Contact us immediately if your mouth ulcer begins to tingle or feel numb.
If pain behind your front teeth is affecting your daily life, NYC Dentistry Center in Midtown East offers specialized treatment to resolve the issue. Call (212) 518-6096 or visit our dentistry center.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th St #801
New York, NY 10017
(45th St. btw 5th Ave / Madison Ave)
(212) 518-6096