What causes swollen and painful gums and tonsils?

Swollen and painful gums and tonsils may be caused by factors such as the common cold, acute tonsillitis, or internal heat ("shanghuo"), and targeted treatments are generally recommended.

1. Common cold: Failure to keep warm may lead to decreased immunity, making the upper respiratory tract susceptible to bacterial or viral infections, resulting in a cold. A cold may lead to secondary bacterial infections, causing oral inflammation, gum tissue congestion and swelling, and consequently gum pain. It may also affect the throat, leading to redness, swelling, and pain in the tonsils. Treatment usually involves taking antipyretic and analgesic medications as directed by a physician, such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules or acetaminophen tablets.

2. Acute tonsillitis: Excessive voice use, smoking, or alcohol consumption can easily irritate the tonsils, causing them to become red, swollen, and congested, triggering an acute episode of tonsillitis. This results in tonsil pain and enlargement, with inflammation possibly spreading to the surrounding gum tissues, causing gum swelling and pain. Patients are generally advised by doctors to take antibiotics such as azithromycin tablets or roxithromycin tablets.

3. Internal heat ("shanghuo"): This condition is usually caused by long-term consumption of spicy foods or staying up late. The buildup of internal heat may trigger the aforementioned symptoms and may be accompanied by oral ulcers, constipation, and other issues. Patients should improve their diet by consuming more fresh vegetables and fruits, drinking plenty of water, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, maintaining regular sleep patterns, and avoiding late nights.

In addition to the above common causes, other factors such as gingivitis may also contribute.