Painful, swollen, or inflamed gums can be a frustrating and uncomfortable experience. Sometimes, the cause is obvious, but what if your mouth looks perfectly normal, yet you’re still in pain? Many patients struggle with gum irritation without a clear explanation.

According to Dr. Joe Nemeth, a periodontist in Southfield, Michigan, the source of your discomfort might not be what you think. Before you assume the worst, consider these three common and often overlooked reasons for gum inflammation.

1. A Chemical Irritant: Your Toothpaste and Mouthwash

It sounds counterintuitive, but the very products you use to clean your mouth could be the source of your pain. Toothpastes and mouthwashes contain a variety of chemicals and constantly changing ingredients designed to whiten teeth, fight tartar, or freshen breath. For some people, these chemicals can cause significant irritation, inflammation, and pain.

“I have patients come in, and their mouths are hurting,” says Dr. Nemeth. “Their mouths look okay, their mouths look normal, but they’re having pain.”

The Solution: Dr. Nemeth often suggests a simple experiment. “I suggest they stop using toothpaste, stop using mouthwash. They come back 10 days later, and their mouths are feeling fine.” Try brushing with just water and rinsing with a gentle solution of warm salt water or baking soda. If your symptoms disappear, you’ve likely found the culprit.

2. A Physical Irritant: Poorly Fitted Fillings or Crowns

The second major cause is a chronic physical irritation from dental work. If a dental filling or crown is pushed too far below the gumline, it can physically press on the delicate tissue and even the bone. This constant pressure creates a localized point of chronic inflammation.

When the border of a crown or filling invades that space, the body reacts with persistent irritation and swelling in that specific area.

The Solution: This issue requires professional intervention. In these cases, the dental crown or filling may need to be redone to fit properly. Alternatively, a minor surgical procedure can be performed to trim the gum tissue away from the irritating restoration, giving it the space it needs and resolving the inflammation.

3. The #1 Cause: Not Cleaning Between Your Teeth

While the first two reasons are significant, Dr. Nemeth identifies the third one as the most critical. “Not cleaning between the teeth is a huge, major, and probably the most important factor in inflamed, irritated, and/or bleeding gums,” he states.

The spaces between your teeth are where gum disease begins. When tiny food particles, harmful bacteria, and parasites get trapped in these tight spaces, they cause a constant state of irritation. Your body’s immune system responds by sending blood to the area to fight the invaders, resulting in the classic signs of inflammation: swelling, redness, and bleeding.

This isn’t just a minor issue. This local inflammation is the start of periodontal disease, a condition that can lead to bone loss, tooth loss, and can even impact your general health.

The Solution: This one is entirely in your hands. You must be diligent about cleaning between your teeth every single day using floss, interdental brushes, or a Waterpik. By removing the debris that gets caught, you eliminate the source of the irritation and stop gum disease before it starts.

If you are experiencing persistent gum pain or inflammation, it’s your body’s way of signaling that something is wrong.

Don’t ignore the signs. To get to the root of your gum inflammation, schedule your appointment today.