Swollen Gums: An Indication Of Medical Health

Swollen gums may result from one of two mechanisms: an increase in the size of existing gum cells (hypertrophy) or an increase in their number (hyperplasia). This common sign may involve one or many papillae, the triangular bits of gum between adjacent teeth. Swollen gums usually results from the effects of phenytoin; less commonly, from nutritional deficiency or certain systemic disorders. Physiologic gum swelling and bleeding may occur during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy when hormonal changes make the gums highly vascular; even slight irritation causes swelling and gives the papillae a characteristic raspberry hue. Irritating dentures may also cause swollen gums associated with red, soft, movable masses on the gums.