Why Do My Gums Hurt After I Eat?

Posted by AllSmiles

I’ve had a sore spot between my upper right back molars for over a year. It’s the gum between the teeth—not the teeth themselves. The area becomes very sensitive and starts throbbing every time I eat. About 30 minutes to an hour later, especially after brushing, the pain completely goes away. It doesn’t hurt again until I eat.

There’s no sensitivity to hot or cold. One of those teeth had a root canal, but the pain isn’t inside the tooth; it’s clearly in the gum between them. My dentist has examined it twice and taken X-rays but hasn’t found anything wrong.

He says we may need to remove the tooth if it doesn’t improve. I told him that extraction sounds drastic because I don’t understand how the tooth could be the problem. There’s no abscess, no bad breath, and the rest of my gums are healthy. What could be causing the gum pain? – Thanks. Chad from OK

Chad,

If your gums feel extremely sensitive and throb after eating, a previously treated root canal tooth is unlikely to be the source. Root canal pain usually presents differently and doesn’t typically create gum throbbing that fades after food breaks down.

An X-ray of the tooth may not reveal much about the condition of your gums. While dental education standards in the U.S. are high, some dentists focus more on teeth than on gum health. When symptoms involve the gums, we need to evaluate the gums directly.

How to Determine the Cause of Gum Pain

Without examining you personally, we can’t give you a definitive diagnosis. However, another dentist or a periodontist (gum specialist) can determine whether a deep pocket exists between the two teeth in that area.

When a deep pocket forms, bacteria and food debris can collect there. That situation can lead to a periodontal abscess.

Here’s what we would look for:

• A deep gum pocket between the teeth
• Trapped food particles after meals
• Pain that throbs and then subsides as debris breaks down

If this is the cause, a thorough deep cleaning could resolve the problem.

How Does Flossing Help Gum Pain?

Flossing reduces your risk of gum disease and pocket formation. The American Dental Association recommends flossing daily to minimize the risks of gum disease. Pay attention to what happens when you floss between the teeth where your gums are sore. Try gently guiding the floss below the gumline in that area. If flossing temporarily relieves pressure or discomfort, that supports the possibility of a periodontal pocket.

Before considering extraction, find a dentist or periodontist to assess your gum health. Removing a tooth without identifying the true cause of the pain could leave the source of your symptoms untreated.

Chandler, Arizona, dentists Dr. William Walden and Dr. Tyrel Beavers sponsor this post. Read about what they do to provide some of the best dental care in Chandler.

 

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/flossing