7 Ways to Tackle Gum Sensitivity

Do you have swollen, irritated or painful gums? Do your gums bleed or become sore when you brush or floss your teeth?

If yes, unfortunately you are suffering from gum sensitivity. Gum sensitivity and soreness is one of the most common, yet ignored dental health problems. Pain from gum sensitivity can range from just few minutes to days and even months. Gum diseases, poor oral hygiene, unhealthy habits and stressful routine are all probable causes of this dental condition and while mild sensitivity is often ignored, severe gum sensitivity calls for serious treatment and lifestyle changes.

You can deal with less critical gum issues at home, but, in case of a severe underlying cause or associated diseases, it’ll be best to visit a dentist.  

Here are 7 ways to tackle unpleasant aches and maintain healthy gums:

1. Take Care of Oral Hygiene

Your mom probably doesn’t remind you to brush and floss your teeth anymore, so you’ve started neglecting your oral hygiene. But if you really want to protect your gums and ensure that they don’t become sensitive, it’s important to develop healthy habits in the long run.

Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft bristle toothbrush. Ask your dentist for the best technique and keep in mind that excessive or vigorous brushing might worsen the condition. Floss your teeth at least once a day. It’s also a great practice to use an antiseptic mouthwash after every meal as it’ll soothe irritated gums and kill bacteria.

2. Say No to Smoking

Smoking is a bad habit that is not just harmful for your lungs, but your whole body, especially your teeth. Apart from turning them into a nasty shade of yellow, smoking also affects your gums. If you’re a smoker, quit smoking to get rid of gum sensitivity for good.

3. Drink Water After Meals

As simple as it may seem, drinking water is a good way of washing away the remnants of food in the mouth or teeth– plus extra hydration is always a good thing!

4. Eat Food Rich in Vitamin C

Vitamin C is your gums best friend. It strengthens them and ensures that sensitivity becomes a non-issue. Try to increase the intake of citrus fruits like orange, kiwi, grapefruit and lemon as they are rich in vitamin C. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and capsicums are also great sources of vitamin C. An adult must consume 65-90 mg of vitamin C every day.

5. Avoid Stress

Stressful jobs and routines can affect both your physical and psychological health. The relation between stress and gum sensitivity might seem odd to some but you’ll observe rapid improvement in your gum condition if you manage your sleep patterns, exercise daily, be happy and take a chill pill.

6. Take Over-the-Counter Medication for Mild Distress

Mild gum sensitivity and soreness can be treated with some over-the-counter medicines too. However, you make sure you go through the medication package insert before using them. Oral gels and pain killers can help soothe gum sensitivity to some extent. These may include: Anbesol, Orajel, Chloraseptic, and Xylocaine.

7. Visit a Dentist

If the soreness doesn’t improve, make an appointment with a Jacksonville dentist right away. Overlooking lingering gum sensitivity can worsen the condition and you might be at the risk of other gum diseases. The dentist will analyze the causes, diagnose the disease, prescribe medication and suggest treatments to help you overcome the problem.