Why do my gums hurt in one spot or Why do my gums hurt all of a sudden ? The answer to that question isn’t as simple as you might have hoped. The oral cavity is a highly complex network of interconnected structures like your teeth, gums, tongue, salivary glands, and more. It is where vital functions like eating, breathing, and speaking occur.
Why do My Gums Hurt all of a Sudden
Any imbalance in this meticulously controlled oral cavity and you can end up in a world of pain and discomfort. You may experience symptoms ranging from extreme tooth pain, bleeding gums, oozing of pus, and trouble sleeping due to the pain.
The pain you experience in your gums and teeth can be due to a host of different reasons that vary based on severity. Getting the correct diagnosis is crucial to get adequate treatment for your pain because the reasons for pain can range from less severe causes that can be resolved with home remedies to more critical conditions that require urgent dental intervention.
This article will be an in-depth analysis of the various reasons your gums or teeth might be hurting in one spot, how to resolve them, and when to see a qualified dentist.
Causes of Localised Gum Pain
Painful and swollen gums are a relatively common phenomenon; however, localised gum pain that affects just one spot on your gums can be due to multiple reasons. Let us briefly summarise the possible causes in order of increasing severity.
Poor Oral Hygiene and Food Impaction
Food particles and debris can find their way between teeth and remain stuck if you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly. This can lead to localised irritation, swelling, and pain if the problem isn’t addressed. The simple solution is to thoroughly floss between the problem teeth until you get everything out. Saline rinses can also help deal with the pain and swelling.
If the problem isn’t addressed at this stage, the food debris can lead to tooth decay and gingivitis, leading to more severe dental issues.
Gum and Periodontal Disease
The build-up of plaque and calculus on teeth causes gum disease, which can aggravate periodontal disease if left untreated. You might be experiencing localised pain in your gums due to gingivitis, i.e. infection of the gums. This phenomenon can be around one or two teeth only, which is why patients can experience pain around a single tooth or in one spot.
If left untreated, this can progress to periodontal disease, which also involves the surrounding structures of the tooth. This causes the formation of little pockets in our bones and starts loosening teeth.
Treatment Options
For an accurate diagnosis, you should see your dentist; they’ll advise you to get a proper cleaning done that includes scaling and root planning. This will remove all the accumulated plaque, calculus, and debris, allowing your gums to heal. Maintaining good oral hygiene after this is vital to facilitate complete healing and reduce the risk of future disease.
Abscess of the Tooth
Intense throbbing pain, swelling, redness, and sensitivity are all symptoms that can occur due to a bacterial infection of the tooth. This is usually caused by gross tooth decay and bacterial infiltration into the tooth’s pulp.
Long-standing tooth infections can result in an abscess (collection of pus) formation under the root tip. Since the pus starts accumulating in a closed space, it tries to form a channel through the bone and gums into the oral cavity to drain. This causes a localised pimple-like bump on the gum of the affected tooth.
Treatment options
This might be causing the localised pain you’re experiencing; visit your dentist to be sure. They will proceed with a root canal or extraction if such is the case. If your abscess if of a more severe nature, your dentist might have to carry our incision and drainage to drain and clean the lesion before proceeding to any definitive treatment.
Canker Sores
Canker Sores are usually caused by food sensitivities and can appear anywhere inside the oral cavity. These appear as little yellow-centred and red border lesions on the tongue or gums. They might be a possible reason for localised pain in the gums.
Canker Sores go away on their own; you can facilitate their healing by performing saline rinses, avoiding hot and spicy foods, and taking good care of your oral hygiene.
Consult your dentist immediately if any lesion persists for over two weeks.
Dental Appliances
Dental appliances like metal braces, Invisalign, or retainers might be impinging on your gums to cause localised inflammation and swelling at one spot, which can lead to pain. If this is the case, see your dentist to have your appliance adjusted so as to relieve the affected gums.
The FAQ Section: Ask Away
When should I see a dentist?
You should see your dentist twice a year for regular check-ups. You should see the dentist immediately if you have any of the following;
- Excruciating tooth pain and swelling
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- Swelling in the jaw, face, or mouth
- Unresolved oral lesion for over two weeks
Dr Keshavi Patel, DDS, is a highly qualified dentist at Vue Dental who will take care of all your dental queries and emergencies. You can book an appointment today via the website or call our office at 512-888-9340.
How can I prevent gum disease?
The best way to prevent gum disease is to maintain immaculate oral hygiene, don’t skip dental check-ups, and get your routine scaling done once or twice a year.