Itchy gums can be a very irritating experience, especially if you don't know the cause. This discomfort can result from different types of oral problems, including allergies, gum disease, or even dry mouth. You can stop this itchy feeling by using home remedies to relieve inflammation or by contacting a dentist to diagnose and treat the problem.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Using Home Remedies
Step 1. Rinse your mouth with cold water
Use cold or fresh water to rinse - you'll get rid of any residue that can cause itchy gums, plus you'll get some relief from inflammation and swelling.
If you can, use filtered or bottled water. You may be allergic to something in tap water that causes itchy gums
Step 2. Suck some ice
It can help you soothe the itch discomfort. Cold numbs sensitivity, reducing the discomfort and inflammation associated with itching.
- If you don't like ice cubes, try a popsicle or frozen food.
- Let the ice melt so it can moisturize your mouth and prevent further itching.
Step 3. Gargle with salt water
Depending on the source of your ailment, this remedy can be effective in relieving itching. Keep repeating the saline rinses until this uncomfortable sensation subsides.
- Add a tablespoon of table salt to a glass of water. Gargle with a large sip for about 30 seconds, focusing mainly on the gums. When finished, spit out the solution.
- Do not ingest the salty mixture and do not repeat the rinses for more than 7-10 days.
Step 4. Rinse with hydrogen peroxide
Make a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water; it seems that this remedy is able to minimize the itching or inflammation associated with it.
- Mix equal parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and water.
- Rinse with the mixture for 15-30 seconds and spit it out when finished.
- Do not proceed with this treatment for more than 10 days.
Step 5. Make a baking soda paste
Mix it with enough water to form a paste and apply it to your gums. This blend helps keep any bacterial infections responsible for itching under control.
- Take a tablespoon of baking soda and mix it with a few drops of filtered or bottled water. Use only a small amount of liquid to make a thick paste.
- Try using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
Step 6. Blot your gums with aloe vera
Recent studies have shown that the sap of this plant is useful against inflammation of the oral cavity. Apply some to itchy areas for relief. Aloe vera is available in the following forms and all of them are useful against itchy gums:
- Toothpastes and mouthwashes;
- Gels that can be mixed with water to be swallowed or applied to the gums;
- Topical sprays;
- Juices to rinse with.
Step 7. Limit your intake of spicy and acidic foods
Try not to consume these types of foods and drinks which can make both itching and inflammation worse. likewise avoid tobacco products.
- See if any particular foods make the itchy feeling worse. This could be a sign that the discomfort is caused by a food allergy.
- Eat foods that don't aggravate the problem. Try yogurt and ice cream because they cool and soothe the mucous membranes.
- Foods and drinks like tomatoes, lemons, orange juice, and coffee only make itching and inflammation worse.
- Stay away from tobacco products, as they can be the source of the discomfort or make it worse.
Step 8. Reduce Stress
Several studies have shown that psychological stress contributes to periodontal disease. If you can manage the emotional and psychological pressure, you can find relief from itchy gums.
- Avoid stressful situations whenever you can.
- Exercise and light activities to reduce stress.
Part 2 of 2: Undergo Medical Treatment
Step 1. Go to the dentist
If you are experiencing itchy gums and home remedies have not been effective after 7-10 days, make an appointment with your dentist. He will be able to find the cause of your discomfort and the right treatments.
- Itchy gums can be the result of bacterial, viral or fungal infections, nutritional deficiencies, poorly fitting dentures, bruxism, allergies, or periodontal disease.
- Make an appointment as soon as possible. Some oral diseases show no changes in the gums or mouth.
- Tell your dentist when your symptoms started, what treatments you tried, what relieved your symptoms, and what made them worse.
- Tell him about all your medical conditions and the medications you are taking.
Step 2. Get tested and get a formal diagnosis
If your gums are itchy, your dentist will test for gingivitis, a mild gum disease that has several causes. Once the etiology of the problem has been identified, the dentist will propose the most appropriate treatment.
- By examining the teeth, mucous membranes and oral cavity, he may conclude that itching is caused by gingivitis. In addition, he will pay particular attention to the presence of redness, swelling and propensity for bleeding of the gums, because these are all typical symptoms of inflammation of these mucous membranes.
- The dentist may also advise you to refer the problem to other doctors, such as the allergist or internist, to rule out allergies or systemic diseases.
Step 3. Follow the treatment
Based on the diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe or recommend medications to soothe the itch. Medicines may also be needed to treat or treat systemic or oral disease.
Step 4. Run a teeth cleaning
In many cases, itching and gingivitis are caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar. The deep cleaning performed by the dentist removes the cause of the discomfort and improves the health of the oral cavity. Your doctor might clean your teeth by following these procedures:
- Tartar ablation, i.e. a removal of encrustations above and below the gum line;
- Root planing, during which rough areas and infected parts of the teeth are removed;
- Laser ablation of tartar, an operation that removes encrusted tartar, but with less pain and bleeding than traditional ablation or smoothing.
Step 5. Undergo the insertion of antiseptics
If your dentist opts for tartar ablation or root planing, he or she may consider inserting antiseptic substances into the gum pockets to better treat the disease. Here are the products he might use:
- Hard Chlorhexidine Chips. They are slow-release inserts that are applied in gingival pockets after root planing.
- Antibiotic microspheres with minocycline; they are usually inserted after tartar ablation or smoothing.
Step 6. Take oral antibiotics
The dentist may prescribe antibiotics, such as doxycycline, and then in some cases perform a cleaning. Such treatments can cure persistent inflammation and even prevent tooth decay.
Step 7. Take oral antihistamines
These medications can neutralize allergens and give you some itch relief. If your ailment is found to result from an allergic reaction, take an antihistamine whenever you need it. Here are some oral medications you can take:
- Chlorphenamine, available in 2 and 4 mg tablets. Take 4 mg every 4-6 hours, but don't exceed 24 mg per day.
- Diphenhydramine, available in 25 or 50 mg tablets. Take 25 mg every 4-6 hours, without exceeding 300 mg per day.
Step 8. Use balsamic candies or sprays with a similar effect
Spray in your mouth or suck on an oral pain reliever. These products contain a mild pain reliever that provides relief from discomfort.
- You can use them every 2-3 hours or according to the instructions of the doctor or the leaflet.
- Suck the balsamic candy until it is completely dissolved; if you chew or swallow it, you may numb your throat and make swallowing difficult.
Step 9. Use an antibiotic mouthwash
A chlorhexidine-based product is able to disinfect the mouth and reduce itching. Use it to rinse your mouth at least twice a day.
Pour 15ml of mouthwash into a glass, take a sip, and move it around your mouth for 15-20 seconds before spitting it into the sink
Step 10. Consider periodontal surgery
If the itchiness is caused by severe gum disease, you need to have surgery. Consider this solution if your dentist diagnoses advanced periodontal disease. These are some procedures that can help you:
- Gingival reconstruction, during which the gums are returned to their place, suturing them tightly around the teeth. This procedure is performed after plaque removal.
- Bone and tissue transplant, to replace those lost due to severe gum disease.
Advice
- Visit your dentist every six months to keep your teeth and gums in perfect health and reduce the chances of serious gum problems.
- Drink lots of water, eat a balanced diet, and get plenty of vitamin C. These simple habits help keep your mouth healthy.
