Gingival Overgrowth Causes: Why Gums Sometimes Grow Over Teeth or Braces

Posted on: 8 June 2017

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When gums grow over teeth, not only is it worrying, but it is also very painful. Eating too becomes difficult and if the condition affects the front teeth, those affected will also be reluctant to smile. In short, gingival overgrowth can make life a living hell for sufferers. Also known as gingival hypertrophy or gingival hyperplasia, gingival overgrowth occurs for several reasons, all of which will be explained here.

Medications Can Cause Gingival Overgrowth

According to research, drug-induced gingival overgrowth affects around one million Americans. If you have recently begun to take anticonvulsants such as valproate, primidone, phenobarbital, or vigabatrin, this could be what is causing your gums to grow over your teeth. Calcium channel blockers and immunosuppressants are also known to cause gingival overgrowth.

Gum Disease Sometimes Leads to Gingival Overgrowth

Around 20 percent of Australian adults suffer from gum disease. Mainly caused by bacterial infection, gum disease causes inflammation of the gums, causing swelling, redness, bleeding, and in some cases, gingival overgrowth. Poor oral hygiene often results in this condition. If you are wearing braces, you may find that your gums are growing over the brackets and bands of your braces.

Gingival Overgrowth Sometimes Results from Hormonal Changes

During puberty, due to the hormonal changes occurring in the body, adolescents are prone to suffering from gum disease of which gingival overgrowth is a symptom.

Pregnant women are also at risk of developing this condition. During pregnancy, higher levels of progesterone are produced by the body and this increase results in a greater supply of blood to the gums. The gums then become more sensitive and may bleed, swell, grow over teeth and even recede especially in the middle stages of a pregnancy.

You May Need a Gingivectomy 

Unless the gingival overgrowth is reversed through improved oral hygiene, a dental cleaning, or a change in medication, your dentist may need to perform a gingivectomy. This involves surgically removing the excess gum tissue covering the brace or tooth.

It is advisable that you consult with both your doctor and your dentist to determine the cause. However, bear in mind that if medication is the cause, getting off that medication may stop the gingival overgrowth but it won't necessarily reverse it. You may need surgery to remove the excess gum tissue.

Whatever the cause, gingival overgrowth is fairly simple to treat in most cases. Though it is painful and unpleasant to look at, with the help of your dentist, your teeth and gums will return to their former glory in a short while.