Medicine for swollen gums for children: 7 safe and effective options & bull; hello healthy

Swollen gums in children are a common condition and quite annoying because it can make children fussy and have no appetite. To overcome this, you need a swollen gum drug that is effective and safe for your little one.

Not all ways to treat gum disease in adults can be applied to children. There are a number of suggestions that you need to pay attention to in order not to aggravate the condition.

The following is an explanation of how to deal with swollen gums in children, either with medical drugs at pharmacies or natural remedies available at home.

The cause of the appearance of swollen gums in children

Swollen gums are a common mouth problem. This condition is characterized by soft gum tissue that is reddish in color, protruding, sensitive to stimuli, feels painful, and is unbearable.

In general, there are several things that can cause swollen gums in children, including:

• Teething of children. This starts with the growth of baby teeth in children from 5 months to 3 years of age before finally the baby teeth begin to fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth when the child is 6-7 years old. Teething in children can cause swollen gums and uncomfortable sensations in the mouth.
• Gingivitis. One of the symptoms of gingivitis (gingivitis) is swollen gums and bleeds easily, which is mainly caused by poor oral hygiene. This can be triggered if the child rarely brushes his teeth and consumes too much sweet or sour food. Untreated gingivitis can lead to gum infection (periodontitis).
• Tooth abscess. This condition is characterized by the appearance of pus-filled lumps that form around the teeth due to bacterial infection. Tooth abscess can be experienced by children if they are lazy to brush their teeth and do cleaning techniques that are not as recommended

List of medical medications for children's swollen gums

Unbearable pain and tenderness your child may feel. The use of pain relievers is effective in reducing pain and discomfort due to swollen gums. But make sure its use is in accordance with the recommendations for children.

Pain relievers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, are effective first aid kits to treat swollen gums in children. You can also find this medical drug easily in pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.

1. Paracetamol

Paracetamol or acetaminophen is an effective drug for relieving mild to moderate pain, including for gum pain and toothache. These pain relievers can be found in stores or pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.

Paracetamol can be given to babies aged 2 months to children aged 12 years and over with a dose that is adjusted based on body weight and age. Before your child takes paracetamol, you should read the dosage and the recommended use found on the package.

If you are in doubt and worried about the dosage of use, don't hesitate to ask your doctor directly.

2. Ibuprofen

If paracetamol is less effective, you can consider using ibuprofen. This drug is classified nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which work to block the production of prostaglandins, natural chemicals in the body that cause inflammation.

Ibuprofen can be given to babies aged 3 months to children aged 12 years and over. Avoid using ibuprofen in children with asthma, unless your doctor allows it.

Because ibuprofen has a stronger effect than paracetamol, you need to be careful when giving it to children.

Always follow the instructions for use on the packaging or consult directly to a doctor first for a safer dosage.

Apart from the two types above, never give other pain relievers, such as aspirin to treat pain due to swollen gums in children.

Quoted from National Health Service , avoid using aspirin in children under 16 years of age. Giving aspirin to children can trigger Reye syndrome which causes swelling of the hearts and brains of children, and can be fatal.

Choice of natural swollen gum medication for children

In addition to using medical drugs, you can also use a variety of natural remedies available at home to relieve pain from swollen gums.

Getting used to caring for oral health is also effective in avoiding diseases related to the oral cavity as the child grows later.

1. Gargle salt water

One of the benefits of gargling salt water is to avoid and reduce the growth of bacteria that cause swollen gums. It is also effective in reducing pain and soreness that is caused.

Prepare a glass of warm water and stir in 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Use a salt water solution to rinse your mouth for a few seconds until it reaches all parts of your mouth, then discard the water.

You can teach children to rinse their mouths properly and then remove the traces of the trash. Also make sure that the child does not swallow the saline solution. Do this twice a day until the pain is gone.

2. Ice compress

The cold sensation produced by an ice pack rarely makes a child fussy. To do this, just use a few chunks of ice and place them in a clean cloth.

Apply an ice pack to the swollen area until the pain and soreness disappear. The sensation of ice cold can numb the nerves and slow blood flow to the affected gum.

3. Avoid certain foods

While experiencing swollen gums, children need to avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar. Besides not being good for health, sugar can also stimulate the growth of dental plaque and bacteria which can worsen the condition of swollen gums in children.

You should first avoid foods with spicy and sour flavors. Also avoid hard foods, such as chips or popcorn that kids love.

During the recovery period, it is recommended that you provide children with a balanced diet, including vegetables and fruits.

4. Drink lots of water

Increasing the consumption of water in children is as effective as using mouthwash. Drinking water can clean the mouth from food debris and keep the mouth moist, as well as stimulate the production of saliva.

As recommended American Dental Association , children under 6 years of age are not recommended to use mouthwash (mouthwash). Mouthwash for gum problems, such as hydrogen peroxide and chloroxidine , can worsen the condition of the swollen gums in children who tend to be more sensitive.

5. Maintain the health of the child's teeth and mouth

As parents, you also need to teach the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and mouths of children from an early age. Make this activity as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, for example by brushing your teeth together, reading a fairy tale, or listening to a song about oral health.

Choose a child's toothbrush and toothpaste that catches their attention, then teach the child how to brush their teeth properly. Do the habit of brushing your teeth regularly twice a day, namely in the morning after breakfast and at night before bed.

Introduce also with habit flossing which serves to clean leftover food between teeth that are difficult to reach. If the child is 6 years old, you can also teach the use of mouthwash.

Should the child go to the dentist?

Some of the medical and natural remedies above generally function to relieve the pain they cause. If the pain due to swollen gums does not fade away and gets worse, you should immediately bring your child to the dentist.

The dentist will conduct a medical interview to find out the condition of the child, so make sure you explain as much detail as possible.

Then a physical examination will be carried out to determine the right treatment according to the problem the child is experiencing, such as tooth filling, tooth extraction, scaling , or root canal treatment (root canal treatment).

In addition, doctors can also prescribe toothache medication and antibiotics if the case is mild so that it does not require medical procedures.

If the swollen gums in children have been resolved, it is important to always maintain oral hygiene. It is also recommended to carry out routine dental examinations to the doctor every 6 months, so that the condition of the child's mouth and teeth can be well monitored.