Am I allergic to Big Red gum?

Upper gum area dark red and irritated?

• It was only a couple days ago I noticed a little irritation in my upper right gum area when I was brushing my teeth. Looking at it I didn't see anything so I didn't pay much attention. The last couple days though since then, the irritation has still been there when I brush, so I really took a look and lifted up my lips to get a good look at my irritated gum area and I noticed in my right upper gum area it was dark red, and not the pink color the rest of my gums are. Why would this be so? The dark redness is not at the tooth line of the gums, that's why I missed it the first time, but it is up higher from the teeth. It's litteraly in the upper area of the gums above the teeth. I have read that acidic drinks could cause this? And I have recently been drinking orange juice like a fish drinks water. So for the time being I'm going to stop drinking orange juice. Also, I do not use a mouth wash after brushing, is this something I should do now? Go buy some plaque destroying, gingivitis preventing mouthwash? I also don't floss, so I guess I better start doing that too? I guess basically what I am getting at is I would like to avoid the dentist, reason being my work doesn't carry dental insurance and I really can't afford it right now unfortunetely, but if is something that is serious, and can not be taken care of by me, then I will bite the bullet and pay up for my own well being. So can I get better on my own? What should I do? Is it too late for me, and I must go see a dentist? Is the area that I described for the redness (upper area of the gum, above the tooth line) an awkward spot for this redness to occur? I figured it would be at the gum-tooth line, but it's up high. Thanks to anyone who can give me any insight and advice.

• Answer:

  Gingivitis aka Gum Disease. A Chlorexidene Mouthwash can help but just to be on the safe -side you really should see your Dentist, at the very least for a check-up - I know you say you donlt have Dental Insurance but surely just having a check-up wont cost that much. If it was at the gum-tooth line I would imagine the mouthwash would be sufficient but as you say it is higher up that doesn't seem quite right. It is better you get it checked out. I do not want to scare you but it could be something serious that needs to be dealt with.