Have you ever worn braces or brushed your teeth a little too vigorously and had gum pain sneak up on you? You are not alone. There are several reasons that can prompt gum pain including wearing dentures and canker sores. Gum inflammation, or gingivitis, is one of the most frequent causes of gum diseases. It occurs when bacteria-filled plaque accumulates on teeth as a result of eating foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. Treating the plaque before it turns into tartar is crucial.

Women who experience gum disease frequently do so as a result of menopause, pregnancy, or hormonal fluctuations. Rarely, gum discomfort could indicate more serious dental health issues like gingivitis, periodontitis, or thrush.

The following are a few more variables that may contribute to gum disease development-

• Health care illnesses such as diabetes, HIV, and cancer.

• Using tobacco products for smoking or chewing.

• Inadequate dental care.

• A history of dental illnesses in the family.

• Some drugs.

In this blog, we’ll look at the different gums problem solutions that can be practiced to treat common gum problems.

Importance of good dental hygiene in preventing gum problems

It is important to practice good dental hygiene to prevent the occurrence of any gum problems. Here are a few routine essentials to keep in mind-

• Brush and floss your teeth twice a day.
• Invest in an electric toothbrush to maximize cleaning power.
• Replace your toothbrush every three months.
• Use a natural mouthwash instead.
• Go for routine dental examinations, at least once a calendar year.
• Limit smoking and chewing tobacco.
• Limit your consumption of sweets.
• Your oral health can be significantly impacted by the foods you eat in a number of ways. To reduce gum inflammation and prevent any uncomfortable symptoms, eat a diet high in vitamin C, D, fibre, and omega-3 fatty acids and low in refined carbs. Consume a lot of fresh fruits, colourful vegetables, and nuts to keep your teeth healthy.

Gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to severe toothaches and other oral health issues, such as cavities that cause tooth loss because they destroy the surrounding tissue. In cases of serious gum disease, medical attention is recommended right away.

Effective solutions for common gum problems

Try some of these incredible natural solutions to cure and even reverse mild to moderate instances of gum disease.

1. Gargle with Salt Water

One of the best at-home treatments for healing inflamed gums caused by gingivitis is a salt water rinse. Natural anti-inflammatory properties and antiseptic qualities of salt come together to reduce inflammation and combat infection-causing microorganisms. Gargling with salt water on a regular basis can help fight bad breath, ease gum discomfort, repair inflamed gums, and remove food residue.

Add ½ teaspoon of salt to a glass of lukewarm water and stir. Put it in your mouth and swish it around for a few seconds. Spit it out. Repeat this two or three times a day to receive relief from gum discomfort.

2. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera gel's potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities make it an effective treatment for gum disease. When used topically or as a natural mouth floss, it significantly aids in lowering the symptoms connected to gum disease.

Add two to three tablespoons of aloe vera gel to a bowl, mix thoroughly, and add just enough water to achieve the desired consistency. Apply the gel to the swollen gums and leave it on for ten minutes. Rinse it off with water. If you add enough water, you may also use this as a mouthwash. To relieve pain, repeat this procedure twice daily.

3. Lemongrass Oil

Because of its astringent qualities, lemongrass oil helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay by keeping microorganisms out of the dental cavity. Additionally, it shows inhibitory effects on the bacteria that cause gum disease, stops plaque from building, strengthens the gums, and improves the health of your teeth.

Add two to three drops of lemongrass essential oil to a cup of water, stir, and swish the mixture in your mouth for up to fifty seconds before spitting it out. For optimal results, repeat this process two to three times a day.

4. Honey Gel with Turmeric

The strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal qualities of this natural plant are well known, and they are helpful in preventing plaque and gingivitis. Turmeric's main component, curcumin, is a strong antioxidant that helps treat gum bleeding and reddening while honey aids in the fight against mouth germs that cause plaque to grow.

Give your mouth a good rinse, apply a paste of turmeric powder and honey to your gums, and let it sit there for fifteen minutes. Swirl some water around the mouth and spit out the remnants. Do this twice a day to see results right away.

5. Pulling Coconut Oil

Lauric acid, found in abundance in coconut oil, has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Using coconut oil for regular oil pulling significantly reduces the production of plaque and alleviates gingivitis symptoms.

Put around two tablespoons of coconut oil in your mouth, swish it about your mouth for twenty minutes, and then spit it out. After giving your mouth a thorough water rinse, brush your teeth.

6. Tea Bags

Tea bags are an excellent way to relieve aching gums. While not all teas are strongly astringent, some are. Select an anti-inflammatory tea, such green tea, hibiscus tea, ginger tea, or chamomile tea.

For a minimum of eight to ten minutes, immerse a tea bag in boiling water. Give the tea bag time to cool. Apply gently to the gums that are impacted.

7. Clove paste and salt

Another natural component with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities is clove. Clove treats several oral health issues and eases gum discomfort and inflammation.

Crushed cloves should be made into a paste and combined with water and Himalayan salt. Use a cotton swab to apply, then let it sit on the affected region for fifteen minutes. As an alternative, you can use clove water to rinse your mouth. Do this three or four times every day.

8. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is well-known for having inherent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, which can help relieve moderate to severe gum pain.

As a mouthwash, place a few drops of tea tree oil in a glass of water and swirl it around your mouth. Repeat the process thrice a day. Long-term relief from gum discomfort can also be achieved with a toothpaste containing tea tree oil.

9. Gels for the mouth

The primary component of popular oral gels like Orajel and Anbesol is benzocaine, a drug that can numb aching gums.

Using an oral gel to relieve gum pain requires proceeding according to the directions on the package.

10. Nonprescription analgesics

Analgesics like Oral and dental pain may be lessened with the use of ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Combining over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers with natural therapies, like gargling with a salt water solution, may yield the best effects.

When to visit a dental care professional?

In cases where gum pain is severe or persistent, a person should consult their dentist.

Mild to moderate gum pain is frequently manageable at home. But it's crucial to recognize the warning signals that could point to a potentially dangerous underlying medical condition.

Among the symptoms to watch out for are:

• ongoing discomfort
• acute pain, edoema, and fever

If any of these are present, it may indicate that a person needs expert treatment for gum disease or another problem like oral thrush. Treatment for the infection will typically alleviate gum discomfort when it is the cause of the pain.

Conclusion

Often, mild to severe gum pain doesn't need to be taken seriously right away. In these situations, a person can take measures at home to ease the gum discomfort, like applying tea bags and turmeric pastes and taking over-the-counter pain medicines.

Purexa Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse comes with 1.5% w/v hydrogen peroxide. It’s a debriding agent that removes stains and reduces plaque. Purexa also offers Gum Paint. Applying it 2-3 times a day reduces the bleeding and swelling in the gums. Purexa Healthy Gums Plus Curcumin Toothpaste protects against gum inflammation and bleeding and keeps microbial activity in check.

A person should contact their dentist if the gum pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms.

If any of the many common gum illnesses and infections are the cause of your pain, getting treated for them should make it better.

Written by Dr. Shipra Jaiswal, BDS, MDS, a Periodontist and Gums Specialist