Gum pain can be caused due to very aggressive tooth brushing or misuse of dental floss, or in more severe cases it can happen due to diseases such as gingivitis, thrush or cancer.
The treatment consists of solving the problem that is at the origin of the pain in the gums, however, measures can be adopted to prevent and relieve it, such as good oral hygiene, proper nutrition or the use of an antiseptic and healing elixir.
1. Poor oral hygiene
Bad oral hygiene habits can cause dental problems that cause gum pain, such as gingivitis, abscesses or cavities, for example. So it is essential to brush your teeth at least 2 times a day, especially after meals, using dental floss and a mouthwash, such as Listerine or Periogard, for example, in order to completely clean your mouth, removing as much bacteria as possible.
In addition, it is also important to brush your teeth without applying too much force, preferably using a soft brush, so as not to damage the gums. Here's how to brush your teeth properly.
2. Use of appliances and prostheses
Devices and prostheses can give rise to problems in the gums because there is a greater accumulation of food debris and microorganisms, which can cause infections. In addition, if these devices are poorly adapted they can cause swelling, inflammation and toothache and jaw pain and gum pain.
3. Hormonal changes
In women, hormonal fluctuations often occur, such as at puberty, during the menstrual cycle, in pregnancy and at menopause, which can affect the gums.
During puberty and pregnancy, the amount of blood flowing to the gums is greater, which can leave them swollen, sensitive or painful, and during menopause the hormone levels decrease, which can cause bleeding and pain in the gums and changes in their color.
4. Thrush
If gum pain is accompanied by a whitish tinge on the tongue and inside the cheeks, it may be thrush disease, which is caused by a fungal infection by a fungus called Candida albicans, being more frequent in babies because they have the lowest immunity.
The treatment for thrush disease consists of the application in the affected region of an antifungal in the form of liquid, cream or gel such as nystatin or miconazole, for example. Learn more about this treatment.
5. Canker sores
Canker sores are small painful lesions that usually appear on the tongue and lips, and can also affect the gums. They can be caused by mouth sores, acidic or spicy foods, vitamin deficiencies, hormonal changes, stress or autoimmune disorders.
Canker sores can be treated with a healing, antiseptic gel or mouthwash, and tend to disappear in about 1 to 2 weeks, but if not, you should go to the dentist. See 5 surefire tips for curing thrush.
6. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums due to the accumulation of plaque on the teeth, causing pain between the teeth and redness. It usually happens because oral hygiene is not adequate, or due to other factors such as cigarette use, cracked or broken teeth, changes in hormones, cancer, alcohol, stress, breathing through the mouth, poor diet, excessive sugar intake, diabetes mellitus, some medications or insufficient production of saliva.
If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, so it is important to go to the doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear, such as pain, redness and swelling in the gums, unpleasant taste in the mouth, white spots on the gums, gingival retraction or the presence of pus between the gums and the teeth.
Learn how to treat gingivitis in the following video:
7. Abscess
In the presence of infections at the root of the tooth, an abscess may form in the mouth, which consists of a bag of inflamed tissue with pus, which can cause severe pain and swelling in the gums. In these cases, you should immediately go to the dentist.
8. Cancer
Cancer of the mouth can start on the tongue, inside the cheek, tonsils or gums, and can look like a cold sore at an early stage, which never ends up healing. Therefore, it is important to go to the doctor if the cold sore does not go away after about 1 to 2 weeks. See how the treatment of cancer in the mouth is done.
9. Wisdom tooth
The birth of the wisdom tooth can also cause pain in the gums, which happens around 17 to 21 years old. If you do not have other associated symptoms, and if the pain is not very severe, it is perfectly normal for it to happen.
To relieve pain you can apply a gel with benzocaine for example or rinse with an anti-inflammatory elixir.
When to go to the doctor
If gum pain persists for a long time and is accompanied by bleeding, redness and swelling of the gums, gingival retraction, pain when chewing, loss of teeth or tooth sensitivity to cold or heat, you should go to the doctor to make the appropriate treatment .
How to treat
The ideal is to go to the doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear, however, gum pain can be relieved by adopting the following measures:
- Opt for softer brushes;
- Use an antiseptic, healing or anti-inflammatory oral elixir;
- Avoid spicy, acidic or very salty foods;
- Use a gel directly on the gums, with benzocaine, for example.
In case the pain is very severe, analgesics such as paracetamol, for example, can be taken.
To avoid gum pain it is important to perform good oral hygiene. So take our online test to assess your knowledge:
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It is important to consult the dentist:
- Every 2 years.
- Every 6 months.
- Every 3 months.
- When you are in pain or some other symptom.
Floss should be used every day because:
- Prevents the appearance of cavities between teeth.
- Prevents the development of bad breath.
- Prevents inflammation of the gums.
- All of the above.
How long do I need to brush my teeth to ensure proper cleaning?
- 30 seconds.
- 5 minutes.
- Minimum of 2 minutes.
- Minimum of 1 minute.
Bad breath can be caused by:
- Presence of cavities.
- Bleeding gums.
- Gastrointestinal problems like heartburn or reflux.
- All of the above.
How often is it advisable to change the toothbrush?
- Once a year.
- Every 6 months.
- Every 3 months.
- Only when the bristles are damaged or dirty.
What can cause problems with teeth and gums?
- The accumulation of plaque.
- Have a high sugar diet.
- Have poor oral hygiene.
- All of the above.
Inflammation of the gums is usually caused by:
- Excessive saliva production.
- Accumulation of plaque.
- Tartar build-up on teeth.
- Options B and C are correct.
In addition to the teeth, another very important part that you should never forget to brush is:
- Tongue.
- Cheeks.
- Palate.
- Lip.
Home remedies
A good way to relieve gum pain is to rinse with a solution of warm salted water several times a day. In addition, there are other home remedies that can help with pain, such as:
1. Oral salve elixir
Salva has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and healing properties, so it is ideal for alleviating gum pain.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons of dry sage;
- 250 ml of boiling water;
- half a teaspoon of sea salt.
Preparation mode
Put 2 teaspoons of sage in a glass of boiling water and let it stand for 15 minutes, then strain, add the sea salt and let it cool. You should rinse 60 ml after brushing your teeth and use it within a maximum of 2 days.
2. Hydrate and myrrh paste
This paste has an intense curative action on inflamed and painful gums, and can be prepared as follows:
Ingredients
- Myrrh extract;
- Hydraste powder;
- Sterile gauze.
Preparation mode
Mix a few drops of myrrh extract with hydraste powder to make a thick paste, and then wrap in sterile gauze. Place over the affected area for an hour, twice a day.
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