If your gums feel itchy or tingly, then you may be at a loss as to where the feeling comes from. Your gums have never felt this way before. However, there are a few reasons why this happens. What are the most common ones?

1. Allergic Reactions

Sometimes, gums itch because they are having an allergic reaction to something. This can be a side effect of common allergies, for example, such as hay fever or food intolerances.

If the itching is caused by this kind of reaction, then the chances are you have other symptoms as well. For example, if you have hayfever, then you probably also have itchy and watery eyes and some breathing changes.

If your gums are the only affected part of your body, then you could be having a different kind of allergic reaction. For example, if you've just started using a new toothpaste for the first time, then you may be slightly allergic to it. New medications can also cause this problem.

2. Natural Healing

Gums can feel itchy and tingly as they heal. This sometimes happens after an accident that damaged parts of the gum or after some dental treatments.

For example, if you've recently had a dental operation that involved cutting into the gum, say during a wisdom tooth extraction, then your gum has to heal. As it does, it may feel itchy and irritated.

3. Excessive Plaque

If you have a lot of plaque sitting on your teeth, then this can affect the gums. This also sometimes happens if the plaque hardens and turns into tartar.

Here, the film of plaque or hard spots of tartar basically irritates the gums if they sit close to them. So, they may feel like they itch at times.

4. Early Gum Disease

Gum disease problems, like gingivitis, can make your gums feel different. Again, this is sometimes down to an excessive amount of plaque or tartar around the gum line. These substances can get under weakened areas and cause irritation.

Typically, at this stage, you'll notice other problems with your gums as well. They might hurt a little, especially after brushing, and feel swollen. You may also see some bleeding in the area.

If you have any unusual feelings in your gums, like itching or tingling. then make an appointment to see your dentist. They can diagnose where the problem comes from and, if necessary, treat it for you.