Your gums are an essential part of your oral health, and when they start to cause you pain it can be tough to get through the day. Pain in your gums can be caused by health issues ranging from minor to major, so it is very important that you know the exact cause of your gum pain. On the minor end, gum pain can be caused by brushing incorrectly or eating food that was too hot, while on the major end, your gum pain could be caused by gum disease or oral cancer. If you are unsure of the exact nature of your pain, be sure to visit your dentist for a full diagnosis.
Once the root cause of your pain has been determined, you will want to begin to treat it.
Generally speaking, you will have two main options you can take when it comes to your treatment:
medical remedies or home remedies.
If your preference is for a medical solution to your gum pain, you will want to use an oral antiseptic gel on the impacted areas. Many of these oral gels will also include a mild anesthetic that will help to ease your pain. Be sure to use your gel only as directed as over-use can have detrimental effects on your oral health. If you are still in pain, an over-the-counter pain-killing medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen is always a good option. For more serious gum issues, you may also receive a prescription for antibiotics or an anti-inflammatory.
If home remedies are more your speed, there are a number of helpful remedies you can try. Cold will be your friend in your fight against gum pain. Place an ice pack over the impacted area to help to numb the pain. You can also try freezing apple or banana slices and holding them in place over your sore gums. You can also try making a saltwater mouth rinse to help with your pain. Rinse the concoction around in your mouth for around 1 minute and then spit it out. Over time, this should help to soothe your gums.
With these helpful tips, your gums should hopefully begin to feel better before too long. Be sure to continue to take good care of your overall oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly. Of course, it is also important to continue checking in with your dentist often to ensure that your tooth and gum health stay on the right track.
Related TMJ/TMD Articles
TMD – The Great Impostor
This “chameleon” of dental disorders manifests in a variety of ways, including joint pain, sinusitus, ear pain, tooth and headaches. The causes of TMD, its signs and symptoms and what can be done to treat this common disorder...
Read Article
TMD, or Temporomandibular Disorders, is an umbrella term for various painful conditions that affect the jaw joints. There are different treatment approaches to TMD problems, but not all are based on science. It's important to be up on the latest information and to be an educated consumer. In this comprehensive article,
Dear Doctor
provides state-of-the-art information and guidance on what you should know, whom you should see, and what you should ask...
Read Article