Pain in the mouth can be extremely frustrating, especially when you do not know what the cause is. If you have any discomfort or pain on just one specific area on the gum and find yourself asking, “Why do my gums hurt in one spot?” way too often, this read is for you.
Localized gum pain can be caused by several factors— an infection or maybe a gum injury. But whatever the cause is, knowing how to treat and prevent it can help you maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.
Key Takeaways
Here is a brief overview about localized gum disease— a condition in which discomfort is present in a specific spot of the gum.
- What are the common causes?
Some of the common causes of localized gum pain are infections, injuries, gum disease, and irritation from food or a dental appliance. Finding out the cause can help you understand how to best treat it.
- What are some at-home treatments?
Until you can visit your dentist for professional treatment, you may rinse with a warm saltwater, take pain relievers, and continue practicing good oral hygiene.
- Professional treatments for gum pain?
At the dental office, some procedures that your dentist may recommend to address gum pain are deep teeth cleaning, root canal treatment, and pus drainage.
- When should you see the dentist?
The general rule is to visit your dentist as soon as you see or feel anything out of the ordinary. Early diagnosis and treatment helps with pain relief and prevents future complications.
Understanding Localized Gum Pain
Localized gum pain is a condition that occurs when only a specific area of the gum becomes sore, tender, or swollen. This can be because of several issues, which we will discuss further in this read.
The sooner you understand the cause of the pain, the earlier your dentist can create a suitable treatment plan to relieve any discomfort and to restore your oral health.
What Causes Gum Pain in One Spot?
Your localized gum pain can be caused by various reasons, here are some common ones:
- Localized Infection
Infection may be bacterial or viral in nature. Bacterial infections cause dental abscesses to appear. This may show up as a gumboil or a swollen, pus-filled spot on the gum where the infection is.
Meanwhile, viral infections, such as the herpes virus, cause painful, white sores on the gum. This should be treated as soon as possible using antibiotic therapy to prevent the virus from spreading.
- Gum Injury
A sore spot on a specific area of the gum may also be due to gum injury. If you accidentally poke your gum with a toothbrush or a utensil, it may traumatize the gum, making it appear swollen and feel sensitive.
- Early Sign of Gum Disease
Gum disease is commonly caused by the build-up of plaque and bacteria in the mouth. If this accumulates in one spot, it may cause some discomfort and swelling on that specific area. Left untreated, the gum tissue will become infected and will pull away from the tooth.
- Food Particles
Food that lodged in the gums can cause irritation that may infect the gums. This can cause pain and swelling on the area if it is not removed right away.
- Dental Appliance
Sharp or ill-fitting dental appliances, such as metal braces or dentures, may also cause pain on the gum. Have your dentist check if this is the cause so they can polish and smoothen the appliance for a more comfortable fit.
How to Relieve Gum Pain?
If you are dealing with localized gum pain, do not panic! There are several treatment options you can consider, ones that you can do at home or with professional dental care:
At-Home Treatments
Some tips that you can do at home for your localized gum pain are:
- Remove the irritant – If the cause is food or a dental appliance, remove or fix them to relieve the gum of pain.
- Use a warm saltwater rinse – Saltwater is a good disinfectant that can also soothe the swelling gum. Rinse for 30 seconds where the pain is.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers – You may also take medications to address the pain.
- Apply cold compress – Cold compress can help with pain and swelling. Apply it directly on the affected area for 20 seconds.
- Maintain good oral hygiene – A clean and healthy mouth reduces plaque and bacteria that can contribute to localized gum pain.
Professional Treatments
But, if there is persistent pain that cannot be addressed by at home measures, it is best to visit your dentist for professional care. Some treatments that your dentist can do are:
- Antibiotic Treatment – If you have a bacterial infection, a course of antibiotic medications may be necessary to remove the pain.
- Deep Teeth Cleaning – Plaque and tartar build-up under the gum can be removed through deep scaling.
- Root Canal Treatment – Bacteria from dental abscesses are removed through root canal therapy. Then, the tooth is properly restored to prevent reinfection.
- Pus Drainage – If there is a gumboil present, surgical intervention through pus drainage is done to remove pus and bacteria and repair the damaged gum tissue.
When To See Your Dentist?
At Arbutus Station Dental, our best advice if you have localized gum pain is to visit your dentist if the pain persists for more than a few days even with at home measures. This may mean that there is an underlying cause that cannot be resolved on your own and professional intervention is required.
Also, if the swelling or pain starts to spread, seek immediate dental care as soon as possible. Early treatment will prevent the signs and symptoms from worsening and will ensure that your oral health is kept in good condition.
Preventing Gum Pain
Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the key preventive measures to avoid localized gum pain and any gum issues. This includes regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits for check-up and teeth cleaning. Ideally, dental visits should be done every six months to minimize dental diseases, including gum pain.
Conclusion
If you have persistent gum pain and do not know how to resolve it, do not hesitate to seek help. Our team at Arbutus Station Dental can help identify the cause of the problem and provide an effective treatment plan to resolve it.
Contact us today for expert care for your oral health!