From this article you will learn:
- what to do if the gum around the tooth is inflamed,
- what are the causes of inflammation,
- Medicines for gum inflammation are fast-acting and inexpensive.
The article was written by a dentist with more than 19 years of experience.
Depending on the cause of its occurrence, gum inflammation can be observed either in the area of most teeth (which is typical for gingivitis and chronic generalized periodontitis), or there can be a local inflammatory process developing in the area of just 1-2 teeth. The latter is typical for localized periodontitis, as well as for purulent periodontitis of the tooth.
How to treat gum inflammation (including medications) will depend on the cause of the inflammation, as well as the severity of the inflammatory process. If we are talking about gum inflammation due to gingivitis or periodontitis, in this case treatment will consist of anti-inflammatory therapy (antiseptic rinses, gel applications on the gums, sometimes antibiotics), as well as procedures for removing supragingival and subgingival dental plaque.
Inflammation of the gums: photo of catarrhal gingivitis
A completely different treatment is required if the inflammation of the gums near the tooth is local in nature (in the area of only 1-2 teeth). The causes of such inflammation can be - 1) overhanging edge of the filling and crown, injuring the gingival margin, 2) traumatic supercontacts between the upper and lower teeth, 3) inflammation at the apex of the tooth root. Therefore, if the gums near the tooth become inflamed, what to do in such situations is always to eliminate the specific causative factor that caused the inflammation. But drug treatment with drugs will not play a very big role in these cases.
The author of this article worked as a periodontist for more than 10 years, treating gum disease in patients, and therefore our recommendations really work (state-issued documents on advanced training in the Periodontology program can be seen in the editorial section). Below we will talk about inexpensive and effective drugs for the treatment of gum inflammation.
Causes of pain in the gums when pressing
Remember, discomfort in your gums is a reason to see a dentist. No matter what kind of pain you feel, relatively mild or severe, you need to determine the cause of the problem as soon as possible and begin treating it.
As a rule, pain in the gums when pressed is provoked by three diseases:
- Gingivitis. This disease is accompanied by swelling of the mucous membrane and bleeding. Inflammation is provoked by microbial plaque, which occurs due to non-compliance or improper oral hygiene.
- Periodontitis. The disease, as a rule, is accompanied not only by unpleasant sensations, but also by a general deterioration in well-being. The patient feels which tooth is bothering him, as his “elevation” is felt above the other teeth.
- Periodontitis. The disease occurs due to untreated gingivitis. With periodontitis, the necks of the teeth open, pus oozes from the gums, and the teeth become mobile. The problem affects the entire cavity and can lead to tooth loss.
Characteristic symptoms
The onset of the inflammatory process in the gums will be indicated by symptoms that appear gradually. But after some time they will increase intensively.
The clinical picture of gum inflammation looks something like this:
- bad breath;
- swelling and redness of the gums;
- the appearance of bleeding;
- painful sensations.
Redness of the gums, which immediately catches the eye, occurs already at an early stage of the development of the disease, as a result of which the gums turn bright red. If you notice that your gums are starting to turn red, but there are no other symptoms yet, you should still visit your dentist's office.
Bleeding occurs at the second stage of development of the inflammatory process. As a rule, blood appears only when brushing teeth or mechanical impact. This is a rather serious phenomenon, the presence of which indicates a long course of the disease. In this regard, you need to start treatment immediately. Even slight touches to reddened gums can cause discomfort or pain. This also applies to food intake, because when chewing, the gums are subjected to severe stress.
The next stage of development is accompanied by swelling of the gums, and pus begins to collect in the gum pocket, which causes the patient to have bad breath. In rare cases, bad breath may be the only symptom of the inflammatory process.
Improper treatment can cause the patient's gums to atrophy. As a result, the patient may lose one or more teeth. To prevent this, it is extremely important to treat the pathology immediately after the first symptoms appear, that is, at an early stage of its development.
Treatment of gum pain
It is important to treat gum disease as soon as possible. Any, even the most harmless pathology, can turn into periostitis with high fever, swelling of the mucous membranes and loose teeth. Moreover, inflammation in the gums releases toxins that provoke the development of blood poisoning.
You should not discount the possibility of pain in the gums when pressing due to illiterate treatment by a dentist. Normally, pain after treatment persists for 1-2 weeks. If the pain continues longer and does not subside, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. It happens that after poor-quality dental canal filling, bacteria appear in the voids, which provoke an infectious process.
The dentist may also leave the edges of the filling uneven, causing damage to the gums. In this case, you should definitely consult a doctor so that he can improve his work.
Attacks of pain when pressing on the gums are also common with increased sensitivity of the teeth and gums. However, with proper care, this pain goes away quite quickly. When it occurs, you should use toothpastes and rinses for sensitive teeth.
For example, ASEPTA Sensitive preventive toothpaste allows you to perform oral hygiene without irritating sensitive gums. The combination of 3 desensitizing components - potassium citrate, hydroxyapatite, thermal mud - significantly reduces the sensitivity of teeth and gums.
For more effective prevention of pain in the oral cavity, it is recommended to use ASEPTA gum gel with propolis. In this product, propolis is produced in the form of a gel, which makes it easy to apply to the gums. Prolonged contact with the painful area of the gum allows the gel components to penetrate deeper and promotes rapid healing.
The cause of pain when pressing on the gums can also be various injuries to the gums and teeth, received, for example, when trying to crack nuts or toffee. Such injuries also need to be shown to the dentist as soon as possible, otherwise there is a possibility of an inflammatory process.
Diagnostics
To identify the cause of gum pain, the dentist examines the oral cavity, evaluates the configuration of the face and the condition of the lymph nodes.
The doctor collects an anamnesis of the patient’s life and illness. To make an accurate diagnosis and choose an effective treatment method, additional examinations are prescribed. Diagnostic methods:
- general blood test - carried out to assess the severity of the inflammatory process;
- in case of periodontitis, measure the depth of the periodontal canals with a special instrument;
- plain x-ray of the jaw;
- orthopantomogram - examination allows you to see how the teeth are located in the jaw;
- cytological analysis.
When a bacterial infection is detected in the oral cavity, an additional analysis is performed to determine the sensitivity of pathogens to antibacterial drugs.
What to do if your gums hurt:
How to relieve pain when pressing on the gums
Remember, only a dentist can help eradicate the pain experienced when pressing on the gums or teeth. It is important to quickly determine the cause of the discomfort and prescribe proper treatment. However, to eliminate discomfort before visiting a doctor, you can try the following methods:
- Take painkillers, such as paracetamol or analgin. The main thing is not to overdo it with such drugs, as they can be addictive and negatively affect the functioning of internal organs.
- Brush your teeth properly, trying to free the inflamed cavity from plaque and food particles.
- Rinse your mouth with a solution of baking soda, furatsilin or potassium permanganate.
Remember, it is strictly forbidden to warm your cheeks and gums or apply warm compresses to the sore spot. Heat can trigger more severe inflammation. Also, you should not take antibacterial or anti-inflammatory drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
It is also prohibited to put analgesics into the cavity of a diseased tooth. This popular method is far from safe: you can not only cause an infection, but also get a serious burn to the mucous membrane.
Possible complications
Complications with sore gums arise due to the spread of the infectious process throughout the body.
The most common complications :
- formation of a fistula, sometimes it affects facial tissues;
- loss of teeth due to increased mobility;
- sinusitis, sinusitis;
- sepsis;
- osteomyelitis.
Severe dental diseases require surgical intervention. After them, you have to recover for a long time and follow all the rules of the rehabilitation period.
Treatment for gum pain
The treatment tactics for pain in the gums when pressing depends on the cause of the disease. If the pain appears due to problems with the teeth, the canals are filled or refilled. The doctor removes the source of inflammation. Advanced stages of the disease are treated with surgery and removal of the diseased tooth.
If the cause of pain in the gums when pressing is their inflammation, it can be relieved with medications prescribed by the dentist. As a rule, in such cases, the doctor prescribes antibiotics or other penicillin drugs. Rinse must be prescribed.
Folk remedies – decoctions of medicinal herbs – also help relieve pain and inflammation. Oak bark, chamomile, and sage perfectly remove unpleasant sensations. A solution of baking soda with a few drops of iodine also helps relieve inflammation.
Other popular methods for treating inflammation at home are:
- Propolis tincture
has antibacterial and antimicrobial effects. To prepare it, dilute a teaspoon of tincture in 200 ml of water. You need to rinse your mouth with propolis up to five times a day. - Massage with oils
has a beneficial effect on the gums. It is not at all difficult to do: apply a few drops of tea tree, eucalyptus, juniper or fir oil to the pads of the thumb and index fingers of one hand. You need to massage the gums gently for 5-10 minutes. After the massage, you should not rinse your mouth. - Aloe
also contains many anti-inflammatory components. For gingivitis or stomatitis, you can chew a fresh leaf of this plant a couple of times a day.
First home aid
So, what to do if your gums hurt?
- Take an anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac, nurofen, etc.), monitor the temperature. If it rises to very high numbers, the general condition worsens significantly, severe swelling and “shooting” pain appear - do not expect complications and go to the dental surgery department as soon as possible.
- The temperature is normal, but the gums are aching, swollen and red? Dissolve 1 tsp in a glass of boiled water. salt, soda and add a couple of drops of iodine. Rinse your mouth every half hour, you will feel better.
Nutrition: prevention of inflammation
If gingivitis is the cause of pain when pressing on your gums, it is important to review your diet by including healthy foods in your diet. To prevent future diseases, first of all, you need to consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables:
- Apples and pears contain a lot of pectin, which helps accelerate tissue regeneration.
- Citrus fruits are a real storehouse of vitamin C, which also helps reduce bleeding and inflammation.
- Black currants, blackberries, and raspberries contain a large amount of minerals and vitamins that increase the body's resistance.
- Carrots, cabbage and zucchini are valuable fiber and vitamins that enhance metabolic processes in the body and accelerate tissue regeneration.
To prevent gum inflammation, professional teeth cleaning is also recommended. The procedure is carried out by a dentist and allows you to eliminate all accumulated deposits and tartar.
So, now you know the most common causes of pain in the gums when pressing. Remember: when your gums or teeth bother you, you should never put off visiting the dentist. The sooner the doctor determines the cause of the problem and begins treatment, the greater your chances of saving your teeth, gums and avoiding possible complications.
Sources:
- The role of anti-inflammatory rinse in the treatment of periodontal diseases (L.Yu. Orekhova, A.A. Leontyev, S.B. Ulitovsky) L.Yu. OREKHOVA, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof., Head of Department; A.A. LEONTIEV, dentist; S.B. ULITOVSKY, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. Department of Therapeutic Dentistry of St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I. P. Pavlova
- Clinical studies of antisensitive toothpaste “Asepta Sensitive” (A.A. Leontyev, O.V. Kalinina, S.B. Ulitovsky) A.A. LEONTIEV, dentist O.V. KALININA, dentist S.B. ULITOVSKY, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. Department of Therapeutic Dentistry, St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova
- The effectiveness of the use of Asept “adhesive balm” and Asept “gel with propolis” in the treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis and gingivitis in the acute stage (Municipal Dental Clinic No. 4, Bryansk, Kaminskaya T. M. Head of the therapeutic department Kaminskaya Tatyana Mikhailovna MUZ City Dental Clinic No. 4, Bryansk
Why does it fit on the tooth?
When gums become inflamed, pockets form that do not fit tightly to the tooth.
Overgrown tissue grows on the tooth and can completely cover it. Causes:
- Gingival hyperplasia. The disease occurs against the background of blood diseases, hormonal changes, as a reaction to drug therapy. The pathology is often hereditary and therefore often manifests itself in children.
- Fibrous or hypertrophic gingivitis. The gum swells, becomes dense, and floats onto the tooth. The pain is mild or absent, there is no bleeding. Pathology may indicate vitamin C deficiency, diseases of the digestive and cardiovascular systems, and tartar deposits.
- Acute pericoronitis.
Provoking factors are tartar, malocclusion, teething.
Osteomyelitis
The disease is accompanied by pain when opening the mouth, soreness of the jaw and gums, and numbness of the lower lip. The diseased tooth is mobile, an abscess forms on the gum. Against the background of inflammation, body temperature rises, headaches and weakness appear.
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Osteomyelitis progresses rapidly: at the first stage of the disease, a person feels severely unwell.
The disease begins with an acute form, with pronounced symptoms and pain.
With a chronic course, the symptoms fade away, but irreversible processes of destruction of the jaw bones begin.
Why do teeth hurt from sweets?
Sugar-containing products negatively affect the condition of dentin and enamel.
For diagnosis, the following are used: X-ray examination, tomography, clinical tests (blood and urine), fistulography, histological examination to exclude cancer.
Therapy includes:
- opening of an abscess;
- cleaning from purulent masses;
- carrying out anti-inflammatory and antibacterial therapy;
- elimination of symptoms of intoxication of the body.
When suppuration is localized in the upper jaw, it leads to infection in the maxillary sinuses.
In severe cases, the tooth and the affected bone part of the jaw are removed.
