Food Allergy
Food allergies commonly cause sore gums in adults, children, and infants. When an allergy develops to food, the immune system overreacts when it meets the offending substance. In this case, food proteins that are normally harmless. However, when these proteins enter the bloodstream through the digestive tract, the body misinterprets them as a threat and mounts an immune response.
As a result, the immune system releases histamines to fight off the invader, causing inflammation in surrounding tissues such as gums. This can result in redness, swelling, and painful or tender gums. In some cases, the rash is so severe that it can damage connective tissue and even erode tooth roots.
Food allergies can be diagnosed through several different methods. A doctor may perform tests for food intolerance by testing for IgE antibodies against specific foods in the blood or skin. They may also do a blood test to see if there’s a positive reaction to any foods or an abnormally high level of histamine after eating a certain food. If you believe you have food allergies and are experiencing chronic sore gums without any other symptoms associated with gum disease, you should see your doctor.
