Can My Dentist Help Treat My Gum Infection?

If you have a gum infection, you may not be sure how to handle the situation. You can definitely get started by treating it on your own, but you will ultimately need to visit the dentist.

Start by making that dental appointment. Then, rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide or warm salt water. This will both ease the pain and swelling and begin the healing process.

When you see the dentist, he or she may elect to prescribe antibiotics to kill the infection. If the infection is minor, however, the dentist may simply have you continue to rinse with the salt water or hydrogen peroxide. The dentist may also prescribe medication to treat the pain and swelling.

Regardless of how the dentist treats your infection, it’s important that you improve your oral hygiene routine going forward in order to prevent further infections.

Gum infections in adults are typically caused by periodontal disease, which is usually the result of gingivitis that has not been treated. Gingivitis is caused by plaque that forms on the teeth when bacteria are not properly removed from the mouth on a daily basis. Gingivitis symptoms include bad breath and bleeding gums.

When gingivitis reaches the advanced stages, becoming periodontal disease, the problems are more severe. The gums begin to recede away from the teeth. Receding gums form pockets, which is often where the gum infections form, due to debris and food that gets trapped in the pockets. Receding gums can also expose nerves, causing pain, and can cause teeth to loosen, and even fall out.

Good oral hygiene keeps the bacteria that cause all these problems in check. Brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash are all effective ways to remove bacteria, especially if they are done diligently.

The products you choose for your oral hygiene routine are also important. For best results, stay away from commercial products and opt for all natural products made from oil of mint instead. Oil of mint is a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent, and it contains none of the artificial ingredients you’ll find in commercial dental products.

So, see your dentist to treat that gum infection. But, be sure to do your part at home, too. Stepping up your oral hygiene routine can make your mouth feel fresher and cleaner and prevent further gum infections and other periodontal problems in the future.