When something is wrong with our oral health, it needs to be addressed immediately. So if you’ve noticed a hole in your gums, there’s a slight chance you might need gum disease treatment. But what could possibly make your gums look punctured?
It can surely be terrifying to see a dent or hole in your gum. However, worrying isn’t going to help much — visiting an expert oral healthcare provider is. Knowing the possible reasons why holes can appear in our gums might help you mentally prepare for a diagnosis and treatment. So, without further ado, keep reading to learn the potential causes.
Why Do I Have a Hole in My Gums?
Your gums might appear pocketed, cratered, or indented due to gum disease. Periodontal disease is the most common reason behind holes in the gums. Still, there are other factors that have the same consequences.
Reasons for a hole in the gums include:
1. Periodontitis
The bacteria in your mouth are looking for a chance to thrive, and having sugary foods and drinks can give them the perfect opportunity for that. The bacteria reacts with the sugar in the foods. Over time, it can irritate your gums, even resulting in inflammation and bleeding. This can lead to gingivitis, which further progresses to periodontitis.
Periodontitis is a severe stage of gum disease, often resulting in dental tissue and bone loss. Moreover, pockets or holes might appear between gums and teeth as a result of this condition.
2. Infections
The holes in your gums could be because of bacterial or viral infections. In children, a condition named herpetic gingivostomatitis (caused by HSV) can occur, leading to holes in gums and mouth ulcers. This condition can affect adults as well, and it might resemble concave or cratered lesions in your mouth.
Besides this, actinomycosis and other rare infections could also result in holes in the mouth.
3. Open Tooth Socket
You will notice a hole in your gums after tooth extraction. The open tooth socket will take around eight weeks to fill up. Still, disturbing it often leads to a dry socket. Consequently, you might have to deal with pain due to dry sockets. Your dentist can help eliminate any complications after tooth removal.
4. Necrotizing Periodontal Disease
Do your gums appear to be cratered and have lesions that look punched out? If so, you could be dealing with necrotizing periodontal disease. This rare form of gum disease usually occurs in people who have a weak immune system. Apart from painful ulcers, you’ll notice white or yellow pseudomembrane covering the necrotic regions.
What Should I Do?
Oral care goes a long way in preventing dental health problems. Smiles on Greatwood Dentistry is here to guide you toward better oral health. Get started today by dropping by at 19875 Southwest Fwy #120, Sugar Land, TX 77479. You can also talk to us at (281) 937-7530.