What causes itchiness in your gums?
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Itchy gum is a sign of various problems and is primarily occurring due to poor oral hygiene. Beginning from a tingling feeling around the gums, it transforms into itchiness and causes much discomfort. Figuring out the condition triggering the throbbing sensation in gums is helpful to find the right treatment and stop the atypical sensation.
In this article, we have disclosed the possible causes related to gums itching sensation. Keep reading.
1) Gum injuries (or) Gum infections
Gums are the delicate tissues covered with mucous membrane and protect your teeth. When the tissues get irritated due to infection or traumatic injuries, it tends to itch. Itchiness in gums is a common sign of gingivitis which is the first stage of gum disease.
Besides bacteria invasions and physical injuries, habits like smoking, vaping, teeth grinding also annoy the gum tissues provoking itchiness.
2) Allergies
Seasonal allergies do not just irritate eyes, nose, and other organs alone, but also your gums. Oral itchiness occurs primarily when you ingest a substance that annoys the oral tissues. Gum itchiness instigated by allergic reasons might happen due to the 2 reasons:
- Certain ingredients in toothpaste, mouthwash, and other oral hygiene products.
- Oral Allergy Syndrome – The allergic reaction happens due to the proteins in certain raw fruits, vegetables, nuts. It causes irritations in oral tissues like gums, throat, cheeks, etc.
3) Plaque accumulation
Plaque – The thin, sticky substance formed when saliva mix with oral bacteria, food leftovers in the mouth. It accumulates on teeth surface over the gum margins. Microbes in plaque accumulation cause various difficulties like gum irritations (itchiness), bad breath, etc.
4) Dental Surgeries
When your gums encounter surgical incisions to remove a severely decayed tooth, wisdom teeth extraction, implanting an artificial tooth, or other reasons, itching in gums is inevitable. It exists until the gum tissues heal completely. Mouth rinsing with salt water solution is the best way to cope with this condition.
5) Dry Mouth
When your mouth lost its ability to regulate the moisture condition, dry mouth occurs. Various factors such as salivary gland problems, medications, etc are related to this oral complication. However, dryness in the mouth makes the oral bacteria thrive and irritate the tissues like the tongue, lips, cheeks, etc. Gums are not an exception thereby itching sensation in gums occurs.
6) Ill-fitting dentures
Dentures are removable dental restoration appliances. The denture teeth will become loose over time irrespective of their type (partial or full dentures). It is because of the orofacial changes due to jaw bone deterioration. When a person wears such loose dentures, the appliance will irritate the gum tissues causing itchiness.
Getting permanent dental restoration like implant teeth or replacing the existing one with a new denture is the best way to stop gum itchiness.
7) Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes occurring inside a woman’s body also impact the health of her gums. Bleeding in gums during pregnancy is an instance. Similarly, the changes in hormones that take place during puberty, menstruation, menopause also irritate the gums. Besides itchiness, it causes pain, swelling, and bleeding also.
Bottom line
Itchiness in gums is resulting from various conditions. Despite it seeming abnormal, it is treatable whilst various home remedies are also helpful in getting relief from this condition. When you feel the itchiness in gums become more frequent, don’t neglect it. It may be an indicator of any serious conditions. So a dental consultation is mandatory.
