There are a number of oral issues that people suffer from including tooth infection, cavities and other oral problems. But a rarely mentioned oral issue that people often suffer from is gum pain. Gum pain can be a symptom of disease or due to lack of good oral care. Sore gums can be a large source of mouth pain and needs to be treated promptly. Lack of treatment can lead to further issues in the mouth. Read further to learn about different types of sore gums treatment to prevent serious mouth problems.
Causes and Symptoms of Gum Pain
Bleeding gums and painful gums can be caused by a number of factors. Improperly fitted dentures and aggressive tooth brushing can cause the gums to become sore. Sore gums can also be caused by an allergic reaction or certain disease processes like anemia. Being malnourished is a major cause of gum pain. Infections like gingivitis and periodontitis can also cause the gums to become sore.
When you are suffering from gum pain, you may also have these symptoms. For example, your gums turn red and start bleeding and even have yellowish patches of accumulated pus. You can also see your teeth become weak and increasing space between them.
Remedies for Gum Pain
1. Keep Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is the first and most important to mouth health and especially the gums. You need to brush your teeth after every meal and at bedtime with a soft toothbrush and approved toothpaste. It is also important to floss between the teeth to remove food particles and plaque to help reduce pain and inflammation to the gums.
2. Apply Homemade Soothing Agents
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Ice
|
Ice can help relieve the inflammation that is causing gum pain. It can be applied on the outside to the cheek or inside the mouth. Use as often as you like, according to your comfort level. |
| Hydrogen Peroxide Powder
|
Mix one-half cup water to one-half cup hydrogen peroxide powder and apply to the affected area of the gums. This can help to remove pain. |
| Vitamin C Powder
|
Vitamin C powder applied to the gums can help to relieve bleeding and pain. Another benefit is tightening gum tissue, protect the teeth and slow the advancement of periodontal disease. |
| Salt Water
|
Salt water has a long history of healing and gargling with salt water can be effective in healing gum issues. It can also give temporary pain relief. Just make sure you do not use too much salt as this can be irritating. |
| Clove Oil
|
Clove oil gives pain relief and is a natural antiseptic. It can be very effective to numb affected areas. You can place one or two drops on your fingertip and rub it on the painful area. Other ways it can be used are clove oil mixed with garlic juice, rock salt, and pepper powder for extra strength pain relief. |
3. Try Herbal Remedies
| Herb | Description |
|---|---|
| Calendula
|
This is the extract of the Marigold plant. Mouthwash or toothpaste made with Calendula can help to relieve gum pain and heal a number of different mouth problems including bleeding gums and soft tissue ulcers. |
| Arnica
|
Arnica is a homeopathic remedy that reduces swelling and bleeding after dental procedures. It is also effective for pain relief in the mouth. It is important to not take this prior to any dental procedures as it can increase the risks of bleeding during the procedure. |
| Belladonna
|
Belladonna is another homeopathic remedy that can help with deep oral pain that is throbbing in nature. This helps when there is gum swelling around a diseased or injured tooth. |
| Ruta Graveolens
|
Ruta Graveolens is yet another homeopathic remedy that can help with deep bruising pain in the mouth. Commonly used after an extraction where the gums may be bruised. |
| Staphysagria
|
One of the most popular homeopathic remedies for toothache relief. If you have extremely sharp pain in the tooth area that radiates to the face or head, then this remedy has been known to stop the pain completely. |
4. Watch Your Diet and Habits
- Enough Nutrition. Follow a balanced diet and make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin C to reduce the incidence of gum problems. Vitamin C metabolism requires that your body have enough of the amino acid l-lysine. If you suffer from an l-lysine deficiency you can suffer from bleeding gums. Your body does not make l-lysine on its own so you need to eat foods rich such as citrus foods, red peppers, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes and melons.
- Water. Drink plenty of water after a meal to help remove and flush out the bacteria that causes plaque, which is a major cause of gum irritation.
- Things to Avoid. Gum pain can be made worse by foods that are too hot or too cold. When you are suffering from gum pain, try to eat foods that are mild temperatures. Try quitting tobacco products if you use them. Smoking or using tobacco can irritate gums. Reduce your stress level. Stress can increase the inflammatory response in the body, especially in the gum area.
5. Seek Medical Help
- In order to obtain proper treatment, gum pain needs to be evaluated. Depending on the condition causing the pain and treatment may include NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications or pain medications).
- The dentist may prescribe fluoride treatment application or recommend fluoride toothpaste to protect the tooth enamel.
- Gum pain that is related to cavities in the teeth can be relieved by filling the cavities. If the cavity is large enough to cause damage to the tooth root or nerve, a root canal may need to be done to remove diseased tissues and a crown placed on the tooth.