Why Do My Gums Hurt And What Can I Do to Stop It?

The tight, dull ache. The discomfort when you brush your teeth or eat your meals. Even if there’s no visible sign of gum disease, you know there’s something not quite right with the soft tissue that holds your teeth in place, and you’re understandably concerned.

When your otherwise healthy mouth starts showing signs of gum damage, what’s going on?

Most gum pain is linked to the three I’s of oral health issues: 

• Inflammation
• Irritation
• Infection

These concerns can be caused by anything from plaque buildup to minor trauma. 

In this article, we’ll break down the potential causes — and solutions — of gum pain to help you learn how to stop yours.

The Most Common Causes of Gum Pain (And Their Solutions)

Whether it’s inflammation, irritation, or infection, there’s a root cause of your gum pain. However, within each of those categories, a variety of potential culprits exist.

Inflammation

Gum inflammation occurs when plaque and tartar accumulate under the soft tissue. Your body responds to this buildup with swelling, redness, and tenderness. In its early stages, this inflammation is called gingivitis. 

You may notice bleeding gums or discomfort when you brush or floss, and right now it’s easy to shrug these symptoms off and go on with your day. However, this reaction to bacteria and plaque is a warning that your poor oral hygiene game needs to step up or that there’s an underlying infection. 

Caught early, the swollen gums and bleeding that come with gingivitis are entirely reversible with good oral health care. Left untreated, though, it turns into the next stage of gum disease: periodontitis. 

At this level, it becomes periodontal disease, an advanced form of gum disease that needs ongoing treatment and monitoring with a periodontist. 

Because it’s now a bacterial infection, periodontitis can destroy the bone and tissue supporting the teeth. Eventually, this leads to symptoms like:

• Bad breath
• Gum recession
• Root canals
• Tooth loss (in severe cases)

But with specialized dental products, scaling and root planing, and optimal oral care, it’s possible to delay the progression of this form of gum disease. 

Irritation

As strong as your teeth and gums are, they are prone to irritation. And when that happens, the pain is anywhere from annoying to downright painful.

What causes gum irritation? There are multiple things that you might be doing that could be aggravating your soft tissue.

Aggressive Brushing

Using medium or hard bristles or scrubbing your teeth is not actually helpful. It damages the enamel and irritates the gum. Unless your dentist tells you otherwise, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and follow proper brushing techniques with gentle, circular strokes.

Trapped Food Under the Gum

If you’ve been eating things like popcorn, sunflower seeds, and other small goodies, some of those food particles can get trapped under the gum. This is a minor irritation and is easy to fix. If your discomfort is in one specific spot, try gentle cleaning and flossing in that area, or use a Waterpik to dislodge the irritant.

Sleep Bruxism

Sleep bruxism, or teeth grinding, puts excessive force on the gum tissues, triggering inflammation and tenderness. The most popular solution, a night guard, prevents the upper and lower teeth from touching, thereby reducing pressure on your gums.

However, an ill-fitting night guard can worsen the problem if it’s too big and rests on your gums. While you’re sleeping for hours, the material is rubbing against your soft tissue, irritating it. 

You might feel like tossing the whole idea of a night guard, but that’s not the answer, either. 

Bruxism can cause significant damage to your teeth, gums, and the muscles connected to your jaw, including your neck and shoulders. Instead of abandoning treatment, opt for a custom-made night guard that fits snugly over your teeth and stops below the gumline.

Our Custom Night Guard Ordering Process

Chewing Tobacco

Chewing tobacco is dangerous to your gums (and your overall health). You likely have that favorite spot to hold your tobacco. It’s comfortable and comforting, and it can sit there for long periods. 

While it’s giving you the nicotine you’re craving, the tobacco is irritating the soft tissue. In addition, the nicotine and sugar in the product dry your mouth out, increasing bacteria and plaque and speeding up gum recession. If you can’t quit chewing yet, try reducing the amount of time you leave the tobacco in your mouth and finding new “favorite” spots.

Infection

Got cavities? Then you might have a tooth infection, too.

The chance of developing a cavity, also called a dental cary, is almost definite, with nearly 9 in 10 people experiencing at least one between the ages of 20 and 64. Cavities are easy enough to treat with a filling or sealant, but if you don’t take care of yours, they can turn into tooth decay.

Decay doesn’t just hurt the tooth. It makes the gums in the area of the cavity feel sore, tender, or swollen. As the decay progresses, bacteria and plaque build up, irritating the surrounding tissues and causing bleeding and soreness when you brush, floss, or chew.

Treatment options for tooth decay are strict:

• Increase your at-home oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and using antibacterial mouthwash.
• Contact your dentist for an urgent appointment to have the decay removed before it spreads further.

Abscesses

Tooth decay isn’t the only type of infection, though. 

You might notice little pockets along your gums that could be — but aren’t always — sensitive. These pus-filled pockets, called abscesses, are signs of an infection. Abscesses can sit on your gums quietly for a little while, but sooner or later, they’ll make their presence known with sudden, intense throbbing, swelling, or an overall bad taste in your mouth.

These signs of infection should be treated as dental emergencies, as they may need antibiotics before the pus and bacteria spread further.

Canker Sores

Often triggered by minor trauma, like biting your cheek or gum, canker sores are small, shallow ulcers on the soft tissue in the mouth. For as little as they are, canker sores can cause severe pain, especially when they’re irritated with eating, drinking, or brushing.

Canker sores can also occur when you’re under stress, eat certain spicy or acidic foods, or experience friction from dental appliances (like a misfit night guard). These sores usually heal on their own within 1–2 weeks, but in the meantime, they can make everyday activities — like eating and speaking — uncomfortable. 

If your canker sore is affecting your daily life, try over-the-counter topical gels, saltwater rinses, and alcohol-free mouthwash. 

Learn More: Canker Sores and Stress: Understanding the Connection

 

Lesser-Known (But Still Possible) Causes of Gum Discomfort

Most of the reasons for sore gums fall under the Triple-I categories, but not all of them do. When irritations, infections, and inflammation don’t seem like the answer, consider these lesser-known causes of gum discomfort:

Hormonal Changes

Does it seem like hormones are the cause of most of your problems? You might be able to add “gum soreness” to that list, now, too!

Whether male or female, our teeth shift naturally as we age. This change occurs for several reasons, including daily wear and tear and jawbone shrinkage as we lose bone density. 

But it’s also related to hormones during puberty, pregnancy, periods, and menopause. Gums get puffy, sensitive, and more prone to bleeding, and once-permanent teeth begin to gradually move. 

This tooth migration isn’t just visible; it changes your bite. To slow down hormonal teeth shifting, talk to your dentist about how a retainer or clear aligner therapy (like Invisalign) might help. If you have an old night guard that no longer fits, invest in a new one that accommodates your changing arch to prevent further damage to your teeth and gums.

Ill-Fitting Dental Work

Dental solutions (such as crowns, dentures, and implants) are intended to improve your oral health. But when restorations don’t fit right, they can rub or press on the gums, causing irritation, bleeding, and swelling. Food particles may get trapped around the edges of the restoration, or chewing becomes painful. 

When you notice these issues, it’s important to let your dentist know so that they can adjust, reshape, or remake the restoration for a more comfortable fit.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Getting the right vitamins and minerals is crucial for your oral health. Your teeth are made of calcium and phosphorus, which are minerals that the body doesn’t make on its own. 

• Vitamin D is necessary to support the absorption of these minerals.
• Vitamin A supports saliva production that keeps your enamel safe from erosion.
• Vitamin C is another vital part of overall oral health, boosting gum health and collagen formation to help deter gum recession. 

Regular labwork lets you know when your vitamin levels are dropping. If you think your nutrition could be impacting your gum health, add more foods with calcium and Vitamins A, C, and D to your diet.

Trauma

If you’ve recently had an injury to the face or mouth, but you don’t see any visible signs of damage, don’t assume there isn’t any there. In many cases, the trauma could be hiding under the surface as damaged tooth roots or hairline cracks in the bone. Visit your dentist or urgent care to ensure there isn’t damage to the tooth roots, gum, or jaw.

Over-the-Counter And At-Home Remedies For Discomfort

As you work to track down the cause of your gum pain, you don’t have to keep putting up with the discomfort. 

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers can reduce soreness and swelling temporarily. Note: Take as directed and talk to your doctor if you have any medical conditions that might interact with OTC meds.

Warm saltwater rinses away bacteria and calms the irritated tissue, while adding a cotton swab of vanilla extract to the area of discomfort gives you a mild numbing effect. A cold compress applied to the outside of the jaw reduces swelling, and a warm cloth soothes sore muscles.

Signs You Should See Your Dentist Right Away

Minor gum pain might go away on its own or with the solutions we’ve discussed above. However, there are some things you shouldn’t try to correct at home or without a medical or dental professional's help. 

If you notice any of these signs and symptoms, call your dentist right away for further advice:

• Abscess/pus
• Loose teeth
• Gum pain that lasts more than a week
• Fever/swelling
• Trouble swallowing
• Receding gums

Any indication that there’s an infection in your body should be taken seriously. Caught early, antibiotics can treat the problem before the bacteria spread and cause more serious damage than sore gums.

Conclusion

With good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings and check-ups, your teeth and gums stay relatively healthy. However, there are other things that happen that you can’t control, even with the best brushing and flossing routines.

When your gums are sore from teeth grinding, or you need a new night guard to account for shifting teeth or an ill-fitting device, JS Dental Lab is here to help you feel better. Our custom-made night guards slide over your teeth, leaving your gums untouched and helping you get a good night’s sleep without unwanted side effects. 

Start Shopping Our Night Guards!