Suffering from a gum injury? Bleeding, swelling, pain, or discomfort can be alarming, especially when it appears suddenly. Soft gum tissue can become irritated by sharp foods, toothpicks, dental appliances, accidental bites, or infection.
At Paramount Dental, our team helps patients understand how to alleviate pain and inflammation and advises when you need prompt professional attention.
To receive urgent advice regarding a gum injury, please contact Paramount Dental at (916) 898-0003.
Schedule A Gum Injury Consultation
Prompt Gum Injury Care Benefits
After a gum injury, seeking professional dental care helps with the following:
- Persistent bleeding
- Gum inflammation, redness, or tenderness
- Removal of debris trapped close to the gum line
- Discomfort and pain on and around the injured area
- Controlling and containing infection
Understanding and treating the source of your injury is key to relieving your discomfort, controlling the bleeding, and reducing the risk or spread of infection.
Gum Injury Treatment
A visit with our team begins with how the injury happened, when symptoms started, and whether bleeding, swelling, fever, or discharge is present. Following this brief conversation, the dentist examines the injured gums, nearby teeth, and surrounding soft tissue.
Treatment of a gum injury may involve:
- Cleaning the injured area gently
- Removing any debris using specialized instruments
- Stopping the bleeding
- Inspecting the neighboring teeth for fractures, looseness, decay or trauma
- Checking for a possible periodontal abscess or the presence of infection
- Recommended drainage of infection, medications, and follow up treatment depending upon the source of the injury
Prior to contacting Paramount Dental or coming in to the office, it’s helpful to rinse gently with warm salt water, apply light pressure with clean gauze if bleeding is present, and use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek for swelling.
When to Seek Professional Care
It is important to seek professional care if you are experiencing any of the following gum issues:
- Bleeding that persists after several minutes of steady pressure
- Increasing pain
- There is a bad taste in your mouth or you see pus near the gumline
- Your face or jaw is swollen
- You suddenly develop a fever, extreme fatigue, or general unwell feeling
- A tooth is visibly loose, cracked, or painful after the initial injury
While home care can assist in caring for gum injuries, we strongly encourage you to seek professional attention based on the guidelines outlined above.
Treatment Cost & Insurance Coverage
The costs associated with treating a gum injury vary widely depending upon severity of injury; diagnostic tests required; removal of an object; extent of infection; damage to a tooth; and treatment required to address periodontal disease.
Insurances cover varying aspects of dental treatment. Our office staff will evaluate your current insurance plan and provide you with a cost estimate according to your treatment recommendations.
Aftercare & Maintenance
Following a gum injury, it is very important to take good care of the area and minimize irritation of the healing tissue. You should follow all instructions given to you by your dentist including any prescribed medications; suturing; drainage; etc. Helpful aftercare steps may include:
- Rinsing gently with warm salt water as recommended.
- Using a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush carefully.
- Avoid eating anything hard, sharp, spicy or acidic until the soreness subsides.
- Do not pick at the area with toothpicks; fingernails; or other sharp objects.
- Applying cold packs for swelling as directed by your dentist.
- Follow-up care if pain, swelling, pus, fever, or bleeding continues.
Once your injury has healed, maintain routine visits to Paramount Dental for dental cleanings and exams so that your dentist can assess your overall gum health and work with you to reduce future problems.
Gum Injury FAQs
What should I do if my gums are bleeding?
Rinse gently with warm saltwater. Then apply firm but gentle pressure with clean gauze or cloth if bleeding continues. If the area is swelling, applying a cold compress externally against your cheek also helps.
Is a gum injury always a dental emergency?
No. Minor irritation caused by a small scrape typically resolves itself. But if you continue to bleed excessively or if you are suffering from increasingly severe pain or swelling or have developed pus or fever contact Paramount Dental at (916) 898-0003 right away.
May I remove something stuck in my gums at home?
You can attempt to remove it via rinsing with water and using gentle flossing techniques. Do not use sharp objects or a jabbing motion as this could force the object further into your gums or traumatize the soft tissue. Contact paramount dental at (916) 898-0003 if you are unable to successfully remove the item.
What are the signs of an infected gum injury?
Increasing pain with swelling, redness, pus, a bad taste, fever, or tenderness that keeps worsening are all signs of an infection. It is essential to seek emergency dental care to contain the infection and protect the surrounding teeth and gums.
Do gum injuries require antibiotics?
If your gums are infected, then an antibiotic is usually part of your treatment plan however, treatment depends on the diagnosis. Your specific gum injury may instead require cleaning, removing debris, draining an abscess, or a follow-up treatment based on your symptoms and exam findings.
Do gum injuries result in a damaged tooth?
It’s possible. Sometimes gum injuries are just a part of tooth trauma, cracks, or infection. If a nearby tooth is painful, loose, or sensitive, the dentist may evaluate the tooth and recommend additional treatment.
What is the best way to prevent gum injuries?
Avoid chewing on hard or sharp objects such as ice, hard shells, or bones. Floss gently. Carefully use toothpicks only if necessary. Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports. Maintain regular dental exams and cleanings so gum problems are caught before they become more serious.
Do not ignore gum pain, swelling, or bleeding. Paramount Dental wants to help you understand the source of your problem, explain your treatment options, and help you get the right care for your symptoms.
Call (916) 898-0003 or request an appointment online.