What Causes Sore Gums?
There are many different reasons why your gums may become sore. Some are relatively minor, while others require prompt treatment.
Gum Disease (Gingivitis)
By far the most common cause of sore gums is gingivitis.
Plaque naturally builds up on your teeth every day. If it isn’t removed effectively through brushing and cleaning between your teeth, bacteria begin to irritate the gums, causing inflammation.
Typical symptoms include:
- Bleeding gums
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Persistent bad breath
The good news is that gingivitis is usually reversible with professional cleaning and improvements to your daily oral hygiene.
Periodontitis
If gingivitis isn’t treated, it can progress to periodontitis, a more advanced form of gum disease.
As well as affecting the gums, periodontitis damages the bone supporting your teeth. Over time this may lead to gum recession, loose teeth and eventually tooth loss if left untreated.
Regular dental examinations help detect periodontitis before significant damage occurs.
Food Trapped Between Teeth
Sometimes the cause is surprisingly simple.
Small pieces of food, such as popcorn husks, meat fibres or seeds, can become trapped beneath the gum and cause localised irritation. Once the debris is removed, the soreness usually settles quickly.
Brushing Too Hard
Many people think brushing harder cleans better, but the opposite is often true.
Using excessive pressure can damage the delicate gum tissue, causing soreness, recession and sensitivity. A soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle technique are usually much more effective.
Flossing
If you’ve recently started flossing after a long break, it’s common for your gums to feel slightly tender for a few days.
This usually improves as inflammation reduces and your gums become healthier. However, snapping floss sharply against the gums can also cause temporary soreness.
Wisdom Teeth
Partially erupted wisdom teeth frequently cause sore gums.
Food and bacteria become trapped beneath the flap of gum covering the tooth, leading to inflammation known as pericoronitis.
This often causes:
- Pain at the back of the mouth
- Swelling
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- An unpleasant taste
- Bad breath
Prompt treatment can prevent the infection from worsening.
Dental Abscess
A sore gum around one tooth can sometimes indicate an abscess.
Symptoms often include severe pain, swelling, pus, pain when biting and occasionally facial swelling.
A dental abscess won’t usually improve on its own and should be assessed by a dentist as soon as possible.
Mouth Ulcers
Painful ulcers can appear anywhere inside the mouth, including the gums.
They are commonly triggered by stress, accidental trauma, illness or certain foods and usually heal within one to two weeks.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, puberty or menopause can make the gums more sensitive and prone to inflammation, even if your oral hygiene routine hasn’t changed.
Smoking
Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums, increasing the risk of gum disease while often masking the early warning signs such as bleeding.
Vitamin Deficiencies
Although uncommon, deficiencies in vitamin C, vitamin B12, iron or folate can sometimes contribute to sore or bleeding gums.
Dentures, Braces and Aligners
Ill-fitting dentures, braces or clear aligners can occasionally rub against the gums, creating sore spots that may need adjusting.
