Causes of Sore, Swollen, and Bleeding Gums: Canker Sores

Common culprits behind painful gums are canker sores, or mouth ulcers. These painful sores can develop anywhere inside the mouth, including on the gums, and they often have a whitish center with red around the edges. You may experience one canker sore at a time, making only one area on your gums sore, or you may have multiple sores at the same time throughout your mouth.

While researchers don't know exactly what causes canker sores, and they're not contagious, there may be bacterial or viral involvement. People with certain autoimmune diseases may also be more likely to suffer gum problems caused by canker sores. Canker sores often recur over time.

Causes of Sore, Swollen, and Bleeding Gums: Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can have a number of unpleasant side effects, including painful, swollen, and bleeding gums. Many people undergoing treatment for cancer suffer from stomatitis, which causes the development of painful sores and ulcers on the gums and throughout the mouth.

Causes of Sore, Swollen, and Bleeding Gums: Tobacco Products

Using cigarettes and other tobacco products can be extremely damaging to your gums, and people who smoke are far more likely to develop gum disease. You may find that your smoking habit gives you a number of gum problems from sensitive gums that bleed to painful sores.

Causes of Sore, Swollen, and Bleeding Gums: Hormonal Changes

Some women find that they experience gum problems during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. The increase in hormones during puberty can heighten blood flow to the gums, making them red, swollen, and sensitive. For women with menstrual gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen, and more likely to bleed shortly before each menstrual period. These problems typically subside after the period begins. Pregnancy gingivitis typically starts in the second or third month of pregnancy and continues through the eighth month, causing sore, swollen, and bleeding gums. The use of oral birth control products may cause similar gum problems. Though uncommon, some women going through menopause may find that their gums become extremely dry and therefore sore and likely to bleed.

7 Tips to Prevent Sore, Swollen, and Bleeding Gums

1. Brush your teeth at least twice each day. Make sure you follow proper brushing technique. If you're not sure what to do, ask your dentist or dental hygienist for a quick lesson at your next appointment.

2. Floss daily. It doesn't take more than a few minutes, but flossing may be the most important thing you can do to prevent gum problems now and in the future.

3. Eat a well-balanced diet. A balanced diet, including plenty of vitamin C and calcium, may minimize the likelihood of experiencing gum problems.

4. Drink plenty of water. Drinking water, especially after eating, can help wash food off your teeth and make it less likely that bacteria will form gum-damaging plaque.

5. Say no to tobacco. If you smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products, try to quit.

6. Be cautious about extremely hot or cold foods and beverages. When you're experiencing gum problems, you may find you're more comfortable consuming lukewarm or cool foods and beverages.

7. Relax. Being stressed out raises levels of the stress hormone cortisol, increasing the likelihood of inflammation throughout your body, including in your gums.