Good afternoon Dr. My left gum has been swollen for weeks. And when I drink water, the remaining teeth on the left side of my mouth tingle. Please advise. Thank you.

Ans: Hello
The burning sensation in your mouth raises the suspicion of a chronic infection. But this can be easily treated with the right medication (tablets and oral creams) which your dentist will prescribe after a thorough clinical examination.
Since you say you've had this for the last 2 months I suggest you see your dentist immediately.

Ans: Hello
You are not alone.
Tooth erosion refers to loss of natural tooth structure (enamel/dentine) due to acidic action. Tooth erosion is relatively common as many of us suffer from hyperacidity in varying degrees. Hyperacidity can be caused by a variety of factors. Stress, lack of sleep, irregular meal timings, poor dietary choices, etc
Enamel erosion can make your teeth extremely sensitive to hot, cold, sweet or sour elements in our diet.
Enamel loss due to acidic erosion can be exacerbated by aggressive brushing, use of excessive or abrasive toothpastes. This is referred to as tooth abrasion.
While loss of natural tooth structure due to erosion or abrasion can never be got back, there are ways to treat the symptoms of erosion. Kindly consult your dentist who can evaluate the extent of damage and suggest a suitable remedy. It could be as simple as using a desensitising medicated toothpaste to "desensitise" your teeth. Or could require the placement of fillings, laminates or crowns.
You may also need to consult your General Physician to control your hyperacidity.
For starters, you should cut down on all acidic food and carbonated drinks. And also learn to brush your teeth gently with a minimal amount of toothpaste.
Hope this answers your query

Ans: Hello
You have not mentioned whether you have consulted a dentist for your gum inflammation and were treated in the past for the same.
The most common cause for gum inflammation is poor oral hygiene. Inadequate or improper brushing can lead to accumulation of tartar or calculus which in turn leads to gum inflammation. This tartar or calculus has to be cleaned (the process is called scaling) periodically by a qualified dentist in order to maintain gum health. The recommended frequency can be determined by your dentist after periodic check ups.
If you have gum inflammation despite regular check ups and cleaning, other factors could be responsible.
Certain medicines which need to be taken on a regular basis are known to cause swelling of the gums. Hormonal imbalances can also affect the gums. To rule out these extra-oral factors, your medical history and medication will have to evaluated and adjusted by a General Physician.