Swollen gum medicine that is most effective for you

Experiencing swollen gums is certainly very disturbing to activity. The problem is not only it makes our mouth feel sore, it also makes it difficult for us to eat and drink because of it. Even talking is difficult because the swelling of the gums rubs against the inner cheek. As a way to overcome this, here are some recommendations for swollen gum medication that you can get at a pharmacy or from your own kitchen.

Drugstore drugs to treat swollen gums

The swelling is most likely the result of an infection in the gum tissue. The infection itself can range from sores caused by brushing your teeth too hard to certain oral and dental diseases, such as periodontitis.

So, what drugs in pharmacies are effective for relieving pain due to swollen gums?

1. Hydrogen peroxide

Swelling of the gums can be treated by gargling with a hydrogen peroxide solution. This antiseptic solution is available at the nearest pharmacy or drug store and can be purchased without a doctor's prescription.

Hydrogen peroxide is a liquid antiseptic that can fight bacteria that cause tooth and gum problems, such as gingivitis and canker sores. Hydrogen peroxide works to remove dead skin cells and cleanse the injured skin area.

The pure form of this liquid can injure the gums and mouth. Therefore, it is recommended that you first dilute it with a little water before using it to rinse your mouth.

2. Paracetamol

Paracetamol is effective for relieving minor pain all over the body, including in the mouth.

Paracetamol is very easy to find in stalls, drug stores, pharmacies, to supermarkets without a doctor's prescription. This drug is also safe for use by all people, from babies over 2 months old, pregnant and lactating women, to the elderly in dealing with pain due to swollen gums.

Even so, keep in mind that the dosage and frequency of taking medication for each person may be different. This medication can be taken every 4-6 hours once a day.

In adults, the safe dose of paracetamol ranges from 500 mg (milligram) to 1 gram. Meanwhile, for babies aged 2 months to 2 years, the safe dose of paracetamol ranges from 60-120 mg.

Take paracetamol as directed on the packaging label. If you are in doubt about a safe paracetamol dosage, consult your doctor directly.

People with a history of liver and kidney disease and an allergy to paracetamol should not take this drug.

3. Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is just as effective as paracetamol as a pain medication when the gums are swollen. The difference, ibuprofen at the same time relieves inflammation that causes swelling and fever that accompanies it.

It is important to understand that the effects of ibuprofen are stronger than paracetamol. So, use this drug with caution.

The safe dose of ibuprofen in adults ranges from 200-400 milligrams (mg) orally every 4-6 hours as needed. In children the dosage of ibuprofen ranges from 4-10 milligrams (milligrams). This dosage is generally safe for children 6 months to 12 years of age and can be taken every 6-8 hours.

Take this medication after meals, as directed and at the prescribed dose. If taken on an empty stomach, ibuprofen can worsen inflammation and increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach.

Immediately stop treatment and seek medical help if you experience side effects of ibuprofen such as chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, and black stools.

Consult a doctor first if you are currently regularly taking heart and blood pressure medications. Ibuprofen may interact with medications that you are currently taking.

4. Chlorhexidine

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic drug that prevents the growth of bacteria that cause inflammation and swollen gums. This drug must be redeemed by a doctor's prescription.

This type of medicine has many types ranging from ointments, solutions, and mouthwashes. However, for swollen gums, use a variant of mouthwash.

Gargle with this medicine after brushing your teeth. Throw away the rinse immediately. Also avoid eating and drinking after gargling so that the medicine can work optimally.

Tell your doctor before using this medicine if you have recently had dental work such as dental veneers, installed dentures, or filled cavities. Likewise for those of you who have a history of periodontitis gum disease.

Choice of natural swollen gum medication

Swollen gums must be treated immediately to prevent the infection from spreading to the teeth. However, when you go to the doctor, you will usually be prescribed a pain reliever and asked to come back once the pain subsides.

As a drug support aid from a pharmacy, you can try various natural methods below to help relieve pain due to swollen gums.

1. Gargle salt water

Gargling salt water helps relieve pain and relieve swelling of the gums. This is because salt absorbs water so it is effective at killing bad bacteria in the mouth.

Bacteria can only thrive in an acidic and humid environment. So when the mouth is dry, the bacteria cannot survive. You simply dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.

The trick, simply by rinsing salt water evenly in all corners of the mouth for a few seconds, and throw the water. Be careful not to swallow the water from the mouth rinse.

Routinely rinse your mouth this way at least twice a day, or until the swelling in your gums has subsided.

2. Ice cubes

Another easy, quick, and effective remedy for relieving swollen gum pain is a cold compress. The cold numbs the nerves that trigger pain around the mouth area to temporarily relieve pain.

In addition, cold temperatures stimulate the blood vessels in the face to narrow, which slows down blood flow to the affected gums. This can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain in the gums.

Place an ice cube in a clean washcloth on the affected area on the cheek. Repeat the compress several times a day until the pain subsides and the swelling of the gums slowly subsides.

3. Turmeric

The curcumin compounds in turmeric are known to function against bacteria that cause gum infections and reduce inflammation.

A study in the Journal of the Indian Society of Periodontology shows that mouthwash made of turmeric juice has the potential to prevent plaque formation on teeth and the risk of gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).

To get all these benefits, grate half a segment of turmeric then mix it with baking soda and coconut oil. Stir well until it forms a thick cream. Use it as a substitute for toothpaste every time you want to brush your teeth.

Alternatively, you can apply the turmeric paste to the gauze and roll it up. Apply this turmeric compress directly to the affected gum for a few minutes.

Home treatment as a remedy for swollen gums

Apart from natural and medical remedies, you are also advised to do home treatments to speed up the healing of swollen gums. What are some home remedies that can treat swollen gums as well?

1. Brush your teeth slowly

While you are still in the treatment of swollen gums, you still need to maintain good oral and dental hygiene.

Brushing your teeth rarely will worsen your condition. The infection may also spread to the teeth and other oral cavities.

However, you do have to be more careful when brushing your teeth. Don't brush too fast or too hard. Instead of being clean, your gums can tear, which can make the swelling worse.

2. Don't forget to floss your teeth

You need to also clean between the teeth and the gum line with dental floss (flossing). Flossing needs to be done every day after brushing your teeth.

American Dentist Association stated, flossing effective in cleaning food debris stuck between the gaps of the teeth that are difficult to reach by the bristles.

However, make sure the method is correct. If it is too rough to pull the thread, instead of the mouth being clean it will actually make the gums prone to tears and bleeding.

3. Use a safe toothpaste and mouthwash

Without realizing it, certain chemicals from dental cleaning products may aggravate the condition of your gums. That is why it is so important to read the composition label printed on the product packaging before buying it.

Make sure the composition of the toothpaste and mouthwash you use is safe so that it doesn't irritate your gums. Avoid toothpaste that contains detergents sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).

Also, avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol to treat swollen gums. Alcohol can dry out your mouth, which will worsen the swelling of your gums.

4. Stop smoking

Cigarettes are bad for oral health. Forcing yourself to continue smoking when your gums are burning will actually make the condition worse. Therefore, quitting smoking can be the best way.

This is because the toxins in cigarettes, such as tartar and nicotine, can dry out your mouth. A dry mouth will tend to become more acidic, making it very susceptible to being "colonized" by bacteria.

Smoking also weakens the immune system. That's why smokers tend to be more susceptible to gum infections than people who don't smoke. The reason is, a weak immune system will not work optimally against bad bacteria that cause infection in the gums.

5. Cut down on sugar

Oral and dental health is also affected by your daily diet. Especially sweet foods and drinks, as well as sour ones.

Sweet foods and drinks can trigger bacteria in the mouth to thrive and cause plaque formation on teeth. Gradually, plaque can cause tooth decay.

Likewise with sour foods and drinks. This decay then becomes the beginning of the infection, including the gums which eventually swell.

However, you don't have to just stop eating sugar or sour things altogether. Enough to limit the portion and frequency of eating slowly.

6. Drink lots of water

Drinking water will not immediately treat your swollen gums. However, by drinking lots of water, the risk of developing an infection due to swollen gums is lower. Conversely, not drinking enough water can actually exacerbate the infection because the mouth becomes dry and sour.

Getting used to drinking lots of water can stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth. Saliva plays an important role in moisturizing the mouth and cleaning the inside of the mouth from food debris.

The enzymes contained in saliva can also help fight infections in the mouth.

When to see a doctor

If the various drugs and treatments above do not relieve swollen gums, do not hesitate to go to a dentist immediately.

Maybe the cause of your swollen gums is a more serious disease or infection and needs to be handled by an expert right away. See a doctor immediately if any of these conditions occur:

• The gums are very painful.
• The pain does not go away even after taking pain medication.
• Gums bleeding for no reason.
• Difficulty opening your mouth, so eating, drinking, or even speaking is a very torturous activity.
• Experiencing high fever, severe headache, and weakness.

If the prescription medication that is given after the examination is also not working enough, the doctor may recommend surgery as the last solution for the swollen gums.