Why do I have itchy gums?

When we think about oral hygiene most often the first few things that come to mind are our teeth. But what about our gums? Gums are soft tissue that provide a protective seal around each of our teeth. Therefore, having an effective dental routine will also help to keep your gums healthy! Having itchy or irritated gums can be a result of a few different things. Some of the most likely causes include:

Buildup of plaque-

Your mouth contains lots of bacteria that combines with the foods you eat and other particles in your mouth to form the stick film also known as plaque. Brushing effectively and regularly helps remove this build up that rests on top of your teeth and gums. However, if plaque is not removed regularly, build up can cause irritation and itchiness around the gums. Thus, it is very important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. This means brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Regular appointments at the dentist is also important to help remove more persistent plaque and calculus on your teeth.

Allergies-

Lesser known to people, itchy gums can be a sign of an allergy. This could be from something you eat or a medication. Allergies to types of pollen can also result in a condition called oral allergy syndrome. Symptoms of this include, swelling of the lips, a scratchy throat and an itchy mouth. If these issues arise, it is important to contact a doctor who can complete an allergy testing to identify the cause of the reaction.

After surgery-

People sometimes experience itchy gums following oral surgeries. For instance, after a wisdom tooth extraction, some itchiness around the gums may occur. If this happens, rinse your mouth using warm salt water. It is important not to scratch this area as it can cause disruptions to the sutures. For additional instructions, please consult one of our dentists

Regular dental appointments are also important to help remove more persistent plaque and calculus from your teeth. Experts recommend completing a comprehensive checkup and cleaning every 6 months to ensure early detection of any issues and it allows for more treatment options. For further advice regarding healthy gums, schedule in to see one of our dentists today!