Gum disease is serious business. Its symptoms are usually subtle that you don't even realize the damage that is being done literally right under your nose. Rather than feeling outright pain, you may experience gnawing, itching, or burning sensation. You may notice a little bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth. It may be annoying , but it certainly doesn't seem like anything to worry about. The during a routine checkup, your dental hygienist informs you that your gums have receded so much that one of your teeth has become wobbly. Here are some tips that you can consider to adopt to restore your gum health.
1. Stop Smoking
If the threat of lung cancer and heart disease has not persuaded you to can the cigs, then sore gums probably won't do the trick either. Just know that smoking not only aggravates gum disease, it can cause it in the first place. There is such a thing as nicotine stomatitis. It is an inflammation of the soft tissue of the mouth that comes from nicotine irritation.
2. Avoid Aspirin
Your friends mean well when they tell you to put aspirin on your sore gums. But don't listen to this old wives' tale. Never put aspirin directly on your gums. Yes, it might provide some temporary relief. But aspirin is a highly caustic chemical, and it is irritating to the gum tissue. It could cause a fairly serious acid burn.
3. Be Gentle
While keeping your mouth cleanis critical, you will want to proceed gingerly when you have sore gums. Patients with gum problems tend to get more vigorous with their brushing. They think that they can brush the problem away. But they often end up inadvertently causing abrasions and ulcerations. Avoid aggressive brushing. Make sure that you use a soft toothbrush. Plaque is a soft material and can be removed better with a soft brush than a hard one.
4. Try tea bag
If your gums are bleeding, tea can make it stop. Just place a wet tea bag on the area that is bleeding. The tannic acid will help the blood clot.
5. Give Up Brushing Temporarily
If your gum tissue appears red or raw, it is recommended to forgo brushing that area for the time being so that it has a chance to heal. Brushing will irritate the gum even more. Instead of brushing, dip a cotton swap in 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and dab the sore spot. Hydrogen peroxide is a cleansing agent. If you use it for five to seven days, it will help clean the area and allow the gum to heal without toothbrush abrasion. You can brush the biting surface of the back teeth directly. Just make sure that the brush doesn't touch the gum line.
6. Try Rinse
It is recommended to use a rinse with anti-plaque properties. It helps to reduce the amount of plaque mass in your mouth at any one time. Your best bet is a rinse that contains chlorhexidine. Since such products are only available by prescription, you should ask your dentist whether one would be right for you. Some over-the-counter rinses such as Listerine has been shown to be effective in preventing plaque buildup, but they don't work as well as those with chlorhexidine.
7. Consume Carefully
If you have a sore or an ulcer on your gums, avoid eating anything that can irritate the tissue. Stay away from spicy and acidic foods and drinks. This includes tomato juice and even colas. They have pHs in the range of five, which is acidic. What about orange juice? Make sure you dilute it with water. This reduces the acidic concentration, so the juice won't burn when you drink it.
Raymond Lee Geok Seng is one of the foremost experts in the health and fitness industry and is a writer specializing in body health, muscle development and dieting. He has spent countless of time and efforts conducting research and share his insightful and powerful secrets to benefit men and women all over the world. He is currently the author of the latest edition of "Neck Exercises and Workouts." Visit http://www.bodyfixes.com for more information.
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