Pain in any part of your body can be annoying or even deliberating. It can affect your ability to think properly, focus on a specific task, or even mobilize yourself. There are an array of painkillers that can be taken to relieve pain in any part of your body. However, these should be seen as a temporary measure while you get the problem sorted properly.
It should be noted that a reliance on painkillers can lead to an addiction which can lead to a vast number of additional issues.
The Cause Of Gum Pain
While you’ll want to start eliminating the pain straight away, you will also need to take steps to identify the cause of your gum pain.
If possible, use a torch to look inside your mouth at the area where the pain is originating. You’ll want to look at the gums to see if they are bleeding and there is an obvious sign of damage. Your gum pain can be as simple as having bitten your gums or you may notice sores in your mouth.
If the reason is not obvious or you have any concerns then you need to book an emergency dental appointment. They can help you identify the issue and find the best possible solution.
Successfully eliminating gum pain will depend on the cause of the issue.
Badly Aligned Teeth
Badly aligned teeth are usually spotted when you’re young as your dentist will notice the crooked growth and prescribe a brace. However, this doesn’t always happen and an increasing number of adults are opting for braces. You’ll find places that offer great brace solutions, such as the Little Bay Invisalign option. These braces are virtually invisible, will gently correct the alignment of your teeth, and can eliminate the associated tooth pain.
Infections
One of the most common causes of gum and mouth pain is infections. This is when bacteria has made its way into the gums or below the teeth, causing cavities and damaging the nerves in your teeth. The result is pain from the nerve damage, cavities that need fillings, and potentially abscesses forming.
These are all painful and will need dental care to resolve the issue.
Gingivitis
This is a specific infection that affects the gums. The most common signs that you have this infection are pain and redness of the gums, they are also like to swell and make your mouth feel uncomfortable.
If caught early then the infection can be eradicated. Again, you’ll need the help of your dentist.
Sores
There are many reasons why you may develop sores in your mouth. These can certainly be painful. In many cases, the sores are caused by stress or an injury to your gums. This can be caused by something you’ve eaten or by an underlying health condition.
In most cases, these start as a simple cut and turn into sores when they refuse to heal properly.
Sinus Issues
Your sinuses are all connected, this means that any issue in your nose can easily affect your mouth. When your sinuses become infected they become inflamed. This inflammation moves through all the sinus tissue, including that in your gums. They’ll be swollen, tender, and you’ll experience fairly severe pain.
A doctor or a dentist can help treat the issue, although antibiotics may be needed.
Eliminating The Pain In Your Gums
Gum pain can be general and make you feel like you’re entire mouth is on fire. In other cases, it can be very localized and you’ll be able to identify the exact source.
In all cases, it’s a good time to review your normal oral care regime. You need to ensure you’re taking care of your gums to prevent further issues and pain from arising. That means brushing twice a day, you’ll need to pay particular attention to the gum line.
You also need to floss daily, visit your dentist regularly, and use a mouthwash.
Regardless of what is causing the pain and how effectively it can be treated, you’ll need help dealing with the pain while waiting for specialist attention. There are several effective ways to eliminate the pain:
Painkillers
This is what most people reach for first. There are many different options available which can be bought over the counter. If you need stronger painkillers then you’ll need to get a prescription from your doctor or dentist. This is usually part of their treatment plan.
Taking painkillers for a short time will help the pain but it shouldn’t be a long-term solution.
Salt Water
Saltwater is great at killing unwanted bacteria in your mouth. This can reduce the infection and soothe your gums at the same time. You’ll need to boil some water and then mix the salt with it, a teaspoon of salt to a glass of water should do.
Let the water cool before you swish it around your mouth, you don’t want to burn your mouth and cause more pain!
Use An Anti-Gingivitis Toothpaste
As gingivitis is such a common cause of tooth pain it’s a good idea to use a dedicated toothpaste to eliminate the issue. There are kinds of toothpaste with special ingredients to help neutralize the bacteria that cause gingivitis. Using these daily can help to reduce pain and resolve the issue.
Hot/Cold Treatment
This is an effective method of treating almost any type of injury and pain. The idea is to apply a cold compress to the area first. This reduces blood flow to the area which lowers the inflammation. As inflammation usually causes pressure on nerves, reducing the inflammation will reduce the pain.
You can then switch to a hot compress which will increase blood flow, allowing nutrients to the area and encouraging it to heal. The heat can also be soothing. You’ll need to keep alternating hot and cold to get the best pain relief while reducing swelling.
Hydrogen Peroxide
You can purchase hydrogen peroxide at your local drug store. Simply mix it with an equal amount of water and swish it around inside your mouth. The hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria and helps to relieve the pain.
Spit it out after approximately 20 seconds, you can repeat the process regularly to help keep the pain at bay.
Teabags
This is an old approach to pain relief but it works. You’ll want to soak a standard teabag in a cup of boiling water for five minutes. Then, remove the teabag and let it cool a little before applying it to the most painful area of your gums.
The natural chemicals in the teabag will soothe your gums and reduce the pain. While any tea bag will do, the best ones are those rich in anti-inflammatories, such as green tea or hibiscus tea.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory compounds. It also has antibiotic qualities.
All you have to do is put a few drops of the oil into a glass of water and swish the liquid around your mouth. Using warm water will help to soothe your mouth as the tea tree oil reduces your inflammation and your gum pain.
Turmeric Paste
You may be familiar with turmeric, it’s a common ingredient in curries. The natural substance is a powerful antioxidant and has excellent anti-inflammatory properties.
You can make a turmeric paste by mixing ¼ teaspoon of the powder with a little water. The paste can then be applied directly to your gums, as close to the source of the pain as possible. You can actually massage your gums with this paste, ensuring it penetrates into the gums and alleviates the pain. At the same time, it will help your gums to heal.
After about five minutes rinse your mouth with warm water and spit out any residue paste.
Oral Gels
If you visit your local store you’ll find an array of anesthetic gels are sold over the counter. All you have to do is follow the instructions and apply the gel directly to the painful area. It will numb the area, giving you temporary relief from the pain.
Lifestyle Changes
You need to take a few moments to think about your current lifestyle. Eating lots of processed foods high in sugar will increase the hostility of the environment in your mouth. Equally, smoking and excessive drinking can make your gums more sensitive and susceptible to infections.
Making a few simple changes may not relieve the pain instantly but it will help.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with gum pain is never a pleasant experience. One f the best ways of reducing the risk of it happening is to adopt an effective oral care routine. This can eliminate harmful bacteria in your mouth and prevent problems from occurring.
However, despite your best efforts, there may be times when you experience gum pain. It’s always best to get it checked out by a professional. But while you’re waiting to see them the above techniques can help to alleviate the pain, allowing you to get on with your daily tasks.
By Jesse Huges