Sensitive gums 101: Causes, treatment and prevention

Reading time: 5 Min

Sensitive gums and teeth are one of the most common dental issues. Whether you notice that your gums are sensitive to cold when you’re trying to enjoy a refreshing, ice-cold drink – or that your gums are sensitive to touch causing discomfort when brushing, this is a problem worth addressing.

Sometimes, sensitive gums and teeth are an indicator of a separate health issue. In this article we will explore the following common sensitive gum causes: 

• Dental plaque build-up
• Sugary foods
• Stress
• Smoking
• Hormones
• Tooth growth

Once you know the causes, we will share sensitive gums treatment options as well as our top tips to prevent the onset of sensitive gum issues. So, read on for our simple guide to sensitive gums and teeth.

Six most common sensitive gums causes

Sensitive gums and teeth may be a common ailment, but the causes of a sensitive gum line vary. One frequent cause is neglected oral hygiene, which can lead to a number of issues with your oral health. Coupled with external factors, such as stress or diet, this can leave your gum sensitive to touch, cold, and even heat. Here are the main sensitive gums causes:

• Dental plaque
  A build-up of dental plaque, and tartar when left untreated, can cause inflammation or gum disease (also known as gingivitis, and in more serious cases, periodontitis). ² Additionally, plaque accumulation can make your gums sensitive when brushing your teeth or even make them bleed. 
• Sugary and acidic foods and drinks
  Eating sugary foods like candy, and drinking acidic drinks like fruit juice, can contribute to plaque formation. The microbes in your mouth interact with the food and drinks you consume, resulting in increased production of plaque and a higher risk of gum inflammation and cavities. ³
• Stress 
  As part of its response to a potential injury or threat, stress can trigger inflammation in the body. Over time, prolonged stress is also known to weaken the immune system. ⁴ When you are stressed, you are at a higher risk of inflamed and sensitive gums and infections that can trigger more severe gum pain.
• Smoking
  The effects of smoking on physical health are well documented, and its impact on oral health can be extensive and serious. From the perspective of gum sensitivity, tobacco increases the risk of gum disease as it weakens our immune system and promotes periodontal ligament degeneration. In turn this can result in a sensitive gum line. ⁵
• Hormonal changes
  Pregnancy ⁶ or other significant hormonal changes such as menopause ⁸ can cause gum inflammation. Raised hormone levels can cause more blood to flow to your gums, the by-product of which can be sore, painful gums that are vulnerable to irritation.
• Tooth growth
  This is particularly true of wisdom teeth in adults. For a tooth to grow, there is an increase in pressure on your gums, which can lead to sensitivity. ⁷ Moreover, wisdom teeth are harder to reach when cleaning and brushing your teeth and dental plaque can accumulate more easily on them.