Gum pain is most often caused by gingivitis or a more serious form of gum disease. Sometimes pain can be caused by trauma to the gums, such as a burn or gouge from food or a foreign object. There are several treatments for gum pain, including over-the-counter and prescription options.
Types
Treating your gum pain may vary depending on what is causing it. Some options will treat only the pain, while others may treat the underlying cause in addition to quelling the pain symptoms.
Damage caused to the gums by hot or hard foods or sharp objects will generally heal on their own, so numbing treatments work well.
Treating pain that is related to gum disease may be more complicated. Certain types of products can exacerbate the underlying gum disease even though they temporarily relieve pain.
Salt and Water Rinse
Using a mixture of salt and water to rinse the mouth not only provides some temporary pain relief, it can also help heal sores and abrasions. Use 1 tspn. of table salt or sea salt in 1 cup of warm water. For a burn caused by food, the salt may produce a stinging sensation during the rinse, then subside afterwards and cause less pain.
According to Leslie Salkin, D.D.S. at the Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia, "Take a few swigs of warm salt water and swish it between your teeth and gums. It has a general soothing effect. If you have an abscess, the salts will help draw it out and drain it."
Pain Relievers
An anti-inflammatory pain reliever, like ibuprofen, can help reduce the swelling associated with gum disease in addition to providing longer term pain relief.
Topical pain relievers, like Anbesol, can be used on the gums, but don't put it on open sores or lesions. Not only could it cause more pain temporarily, but it could also cause damage to the more sensitive tissue beneath the gums that are exposed.
Mouth Rinses
Mouthwashes that contain alcohol may cause a mild numbing sensation to the gums, but they can actually make the environment friendlier for bacterial growth. By drying out the gums or a sore, products with high alcohol content sometimes make it easier for bacteria to multiply, thus increasing inflammation and pain.
Some individuals find it painful to rinse with these types of products and should avoid them for this reason as well.
Natural Oils
Clove oil and tea tree oil have antiseptic properties, which help clean the gums and make them less hospitable to bacteria. They also provide some pain relief.
Clove oil contains eugenol, a phytochemical, that has anesthetic properties, which provides a temporary reprieve from gum pain.
Tea tree oil has analgesic properties which can also relieve gum pain temporarily.
Warning
See a doctor or dentist if gum pain persists and to rule out more serious gum disease problems.
Also, never directly apply highly acidic substances to the gums, as they can cause chemical burns. Garlic and aspirin are two items that some sources say can be applied to the gums, but they are too acidic and can end up doing more harm than good.
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