Possible Causes of Gum Lesions

When you come in for a dental exam in Long Beach, CA, your dentist will be looking for problems as well as the general condition of your oral health. One specific problem your dentist will be on the lookout for is gum lesions. Gum lesions are open sores on the surface of your gums. Normally, these are quite painful, so you may already be aware of the problem when you visit the dentist. In any case, you may want to know what could have possibly caused the gum lesion in the first place.

Injury

The gums are made up of soft tissue. Any abrasion or injury can lead to a lesion. Even accidentally hitting your gums with the hard plastic of your toothbrush could cause a lesion to develop. Other trauma or injury to your gums can cause lesions, too, such as a sports injury, where you’ve been hit in the mouth accidentally by another player. It’s helpful to try to remember if you’ve incurred any type of mouth injury so the lesion can be attributed to that cause.

Allergic Reaction

If you’re allergic to certain foods, it could cause an allergic reaction in the form of a gum lesion. For instance, some people have allergic reactions to acidic foods like lemons. Their gums are simply more sensitive and may develop a lesion as a result. Again, it’s helpful to try to put a cause and effect together so you can avoid that food substance in the future.

Oral Infections

It’s important to know that various infections can cause gum lesions, too. For example, herpes simplex virus (HSV) can lead to herpes gingivostomatitis, which causes multiple small, painful sores on the gums and other parts of the mouth. Fungal infections, like oral thrush caused by Candida albicans, can also result in white patches or sores on the gums. These infections often occur in individuals with weakened immune systems or those taking certain medications. Your Long Beach, CA dentist will be able to diagnose and treat gum lesions, no matter what the cause is.

If you or a family member has one or more gum lesions, it’s important to get it checked out by a dental professional. Contact us to book a dental exam soon.