Gum pain when brushing your teeth can have several causes, including but not limited to the following:
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Improper Brushing Technique or Hard-bristled Toothbrush: Using a hard-bristled toothbrush or brushing too harshly can irritate your gums, leading to soreness and bleeding.
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Gum Disease (Gingivitis or Periodontitis): If you have gum disease, brushing can aggravate sensitive areas of the gums and lead to discomfort.
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**Dry Mouth:**Saliva helps to wash away bacteria and keep your mouth clean. If you have a dry mouth, brushing can be more abrasive on the gums and cause discomfort.
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Allergies: Allergic reactions to toothpaste or other dental products may lead to gum irritation.
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Tooth Sensitivity: If you have sensitive teeth, brushing could also cause discomfort in your gums as the vibrations from brushing can travel through the teeth and aggravate the gum tissue.
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Sugary Foods and Drinks: Eating or drinking sugary foods and drinks can irritate your mouth, increasing sensitivity and causing your gums to hurt when brushing.
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Canker Sores: Canker sores are small oral wounds that can make the tissues of your mouth more sensitive and vulnerable to pain on contact.
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Hormonal Changes: Changes in hormones, such as those related to pregnancy or menopause, can affect your gums.
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Oral Devices: Braces, retainers, mouth guards, or dentures that pull or rub against the gumline can create cuts orabrasions that make gums sore and painful.
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Chemotherapy: One of the side effects of chemotherapy can be pain, swelling, or bleeding gums.
It is important to see a dentist if you notice any signs or symptoms of gum pain, such as tenderness in the gums, redness in the mouth, bleeding when brushing, or pain with eating certain foods. Your dentist will be able to help identify the underlying cause of your pain and provide further treatment options.
