Gingival hypertrophy, or swollen gums, can be caused by poor oral hygiene, medications, systemic diseases, or natural changes in the body. Treatment depends on the cause and may include scaling, root planing, or gingivectomy. It’s important to see a dentist or doctor for evaluation.
Gingival hypertrophy is the abnormal enlargement of the gums. The condition can be caused by medications, a systemic disease, poor oral hygiene, or a congenital disorder called oculodental syndrome. Many people with gingival hypertrophy experience bleeding from the gums and pain when they eat. Gingival enlargement should be evaluated by a dentist or doctor to treat any underlying medical causes.
Long-term accumulation of plaque around the teeth and gums is the leading cause of swollen gums. Poor oral hygiene allows bacteria to inflame gum tissue. Dentures or partial dentures can irritate the delicate gum tissue, causing it to enlarge. If a dental appliance is causing the swelling, it may need to be adjusted by a professional.
Prescription medicines can have gingival hypertrophy as a side effect. Some of the seizure medications and anticonvulsant drugs such as phenytoin, primidone, and topiramate are known to cause gum enlargement. An immunosuppressant drug called cyclosporine can also cause gum enlargement after you take it. Some calcium channel blockers, namely nifidepine and verapamil, are also known to cause swelling of the gums. These oral side effects may lessen after the drug is stopped.
Natural changes in the body can cause gum enlargement for a short time. Some women develop gum hypertrophy during pregnancy. Swollen gums usually return to their normal size after a woman has given birth. Teens can get enlarged gums during puberty and it usually goes away once the hormones circulating in their bodies have stabilized.
There are systemic diseases that can cause gingival hypertrophy. People with leukemia may notice that the gum tissue has swollen and becomes painful. Growths called neoplasms may be responsible for the enlargement of the gum tissue. Neoplasms can be benign or indicative of a malignant cancer.
Treatment of gingival enlargement depends on the cause of the enlargement. If you have poor hygiene and plaque buildup, a dental procedure called a scaling will be performed to reduce the plaque on your teeth. Plaque is scraped off the teeth with dental instruments. If the inflammation has reached the roots of the teeth, a process called root planing is needed. It’s a gentle process that removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline.
A surgical procedure called a gingivectomy may be necessary when enlarged gum tissue does not reduce in size after tooth scaling or root planing. The swollen gum is trimmed to normal size, or electrosurgery may be used to remove tissue and cauterize the wound at the same time. A putty will be applied to the treated gums to protect them while they heal. The healing process can take up to three weeks.
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