When your gums and teeth feel painful, throb, are reddened or produce sores, you might have unhealthy gums. Healthy gums are pink in color, and shouldn’t cause you pain. When you’re dealing with sore gums or/and teeth, it might be hard to eat or talk, so it’s essential that you resolve the issue instantly. After attempting remedies to reduce the pain at home, contact your dental practitioner, who can determine if you have a more serious problem and offer long-term treatment alternatives for your mouth pain.
Causes and Symptoms of Sore Gums and Teeth
Consider the following five causes of sore gums, and how to treat this pain so you can find lasting relief:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis– an infection of the tissue surrounding your teeth– results in swollen gums generally, however it can cause bleeding also. Just because your gums might not be bleeding, though, does not suggest you need to eliminate gum disease altogether; the American Dental Association (ADA) approximates that 47.2 percent of American adults struggle with gingivitis. Some other symptoms of gingivitis include gums pulling away from the teeth, consistent bad breath as well as loose teeth. If you believe gingivitis is triggering your red, sore gums, be sure to visit your dentist.
Pregnancy
The American Pregnancy Association warns that some pregnant women might experience red, swollen gums during pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones alter the way your body reacts to bacteria, making this the perfect time for plaque to develop and gums to become delicate. Women in their second trimester are particularly susceptible to these dental issues, so it’s crucial to maintain regular dental checkups– reminding your dental practitioner each time that you’re pregnant, obviously.
Poor nutrition and Illness
Particular medical conditions can result in sore gums, too. Illnesses that attack the immune system, as well as poor nutrition as well as chronic stress, can be quite destructive to gum health. The Immune Deficiency Foundation suggests when autoimmune disorders impact the leukocyte– also know as autoimmune neutropenia– it can result in tender gums without much bleeding. A low vitamin C consumption (female and male adults need to have between 75 to 90 mg of vitamin C a day, respectively, according to the National Institutes of Health) can also cause this type of inflammation.
Dental Appliances
Recent fittings for braces, a retainer, dentures or another dental home appliance are traditional reasons for sore or swollen gums. Your mouth is an inherently delicate area of the body, and it does not constantly respond to foreign objects favorably. Sometimes, this swelling will go down as you end up being more used to the home appliance, however if it continues to trouble you, it might be a sizing concern to go over with your dentist or orthodontist.
Medications
Some medications– consisting of dilantin, phenobarbital or calcium channel blockers– list swollen, sore gums as a side-effect. Think about whether or not you’ve begun a brand-new medication; it might be the reason for swelling and pain without bleeding.
Remember inflamed gums don’t require constant attention, specifically when treated at the source. No matter which of these five causes applies to you, here are some ideas as you find out how to treat swollen gums so you can begin the recovery procedure:
Treat the Source
Some causes of gum pain, like medications and disease, will need to be treated with more comprehensive medical care. See your dental practitioner for your routine checkup and she or he can refer you to this healthcare specialist. Or, if you simply began taking a new medication and notice gum pain creep in, talk to your doctor about alternatives, or even modifying your dosage. When gum disease is the culprit, talk with your dental practitioner about the home-care practices that can bring back healthy, pain-free gums– like brushing correctly and flossing every day.
Take Anti-Inflammatory Medication
Due to the fact that inflammation can worsen the nerves in your jaw, much of the pain connected with sore gums is really due to the swelling itself. Taking an anti-inflammatory medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help you find relief in the interim so you don’t incur further issue prior to seeing your doctor or dental professional.
Eat Cold Foods
Provided the level of sensitivity hasn’t spread to your teeth, cold foods can help reduce swelling and numb the pain of swollen gums. Therefore, attempt nibbling a freezer pop or eating a few frozen grapes to assist calm the pain and swelling naturally.
How to Treat Sore Gums and Teeth
A product that contains benzocaine can be applied topically to provide numbing remedy for sore gums. Although it’s just a temporary option, it can help relieve painful gums so you have the time and focus to treat among the five true causes of the swelling.
Salt Water
Salt is another efficient remedy for swollen gums. It prevents growth of bacteria in the mouth and avoids infections that may add to numerous oral health issues.
- After brushing your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush, carefully rub your gums with salt for a few seconds. Rinse it off with warm water. Do this daily. After your gums are healthy again, do this 3 times a week to prevent reoccurrence.
- Another alternative is to add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt to a glass of lukewarm water and use it to wash your mouth twice daily until the swelling subsides.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can also help in reducing gum inflammation and pain. It can even help eliminate bacteria and fight oral problems. For oral health, use food grade, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution only.
- Mix equivalent parts of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution and water. Swish the option around your gums and teeth for 30 seconds. Wash it off with warm water.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with sufficient hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Rub this paste on your gums, wait 1 minute and after that rinse your mouth completely with water.
- Use either of these treatments 2 or 3 times a week.
Keep in mind: Make sure you do not swallow hydrogen peroxide.
Swollen gums can certainly be a pain, but you should not need to keep changing your home care to address the problem. When you’ve found the concern, you can work to fix it while finding ways to help deal with the pain up until you’re much better.
