Why Is There A Hole In My Gums?

Written By Kassandra Foreman / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

While there are a few things that can cause an area of the gums to become indented, develop a crater or dip, or form a pocket, the most likely is gum disease. These dips or pockets may appear as a hole in the gums, and it is important to find the correct cause and begin the correct treatment.

Periodontitis

The most likely cause of a hole in the gums is periodontitis. Periodontitis, or gum disease, happens with a buildup of plaque on the teeth and the germs that are within that buildup.

As the germs consume sugar and irritate the gums they may bleed, which is referred to as gingivitis. Periodontist is very common, affecting almost half of the adult population, and is able to cause bone lose and tissue loss, bleeding and painful gums, bad breath, sensitive teeth and gums, and even loose teeth.

Infection

Another possible cause is an infection that causes ulcers or lesions that are concave and appear as a hole within the gums. This is accompanied by red and swollen gums, a fever, swollen lymph nodes and loss of appetite, along with irritability and not feeling well. Some infections may resolve naturally but many require treatment with antibiotics.

Dry socket

Dry socket is another possibility that causes a hole in the gums. When a tooth is removed it creates a hole in the gums where the tooth has been extracted. While it heals over the next two months it may appear to be a hole until fully healed. Where the healing is not complete the nerve remains exposed, becomes painful and is referred to as dry socket.

Necrotizing periodontal disease

Another cause is necrotizing periodontal disease, which is a form of periodontal disease that is most often found in those with a weak immune system. When this occurs gum tissue has died, and it may appear with ulcers as well. It will be accompanied by sever pain, bleeding, fever, receding gums, bad breath, and swelling in the lymph nodes.

Determining location of holes in gums

Holes in the gums will appear at the site of a tooth that has been removed, in the area that the gums are in contact with the teeth where periodontitis or necrotizing periodontal disease has begun, and in infections that may occur anywhere within the gums.

Determining location and cause are the first steps in treatment, which may include scaling the teeth to remove the plaque, root planing where the scaling is continued onto the roots of the gums, surgery, or antibiotics for infections.

During surgery, the gums may be opened to allow access and further cleaning of the tooth and the roots. In a regenerative procedure bone or other material is placed within the gums to attempt to regenerate both the bone and tissue that has been lost.

When a gum graft is necessary tissue will be removed from another area within the mouth and used to cover the exposed area.

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Written By:

Kassandra Foreman has been writing freelance for five years now and enjoys learning about new things to write about. When not writing she teaches yoga and meditation with a focus on health and fitness.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels