How To Treat Your Weekend Gum Injury At Home
Posted on: 28 September 2016
If your otherwise relaxing Friday evening has been interrupted by a cut in your gums from a sharp piece of hard candy, then you will be pleased to learn that you can treat your pain with items you very likely already have in your home. To this end, follow these suggestions to quell your dental pain:
Stop the Bleeding
If your gums are bleeding, you can stop it by applying direct pressure on the area using a sterile gauze pad. Place the gauze pad directly against your gums and press on it until the bleeding stops. If you don't have any gauze at home, then you can use a square of toilet paper, a small piece of paper towel, or even just your bare finger. Applying direct pressure will stop the bleeding and help the wound to start healing.
Apply Your Baby's Teething Gel
If you have a baby in your family and use teething gel for their dental pain, then you can apply a bit of that to your own irritated gum area. The teething gel is an anesthetic and will completely numb your gums for a short period of time. This is ideal if you are in a lot of pain and need some quick relief. Dental anesthetic gels are also sold for adults over-the-counter at your local pharmacy and grocery store.
Make a Soothing Rinsing Solution
If you do not have any teething gel at home or are not in an excessive amount of pain, then you can use a rinse to help alleviate your dental pain. You can either mix a glass of warm salt water solution or you can brew a mug of tea. The salt water will help to prevent infection and help calm down the pain. The tea contains special compounds known as tannins. The natural tannins in tea are a wonderful pain reliever. For very sore gums, you can apply the spent tea bag directly to your gums for added pain relief.
Brush with a Very Soft Toothbrush
Finally, so that you do not further irritate your injured gums, you should brush your teeth with a very soft toothbrush for the next few days. If Monday arrives and your gums are still very sore or occasionally bleeding, then you need to make an emergency appointment with your dental office. When you visit your dentist, they can check the area and make sure that there is no infection or other condition that requires medical treatment.
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