When you open your mouth, you can see a pair of pink fibrous structure that lies underneath your teeth. They are called gums or gingiva in medical parlance. Gums are strong mucosal tissue that holds your teeth in its place. They cover two facial bones namely the mandible and the maxilla in the mouth.
One of the most common problems in dentistry is gum infection. Mainly it is bacterial infection of gums. This dental condition is common in children as well as adults. The clinical features of infected gums are pain, swelling, redness and bleeding of gums.
Infected gums and infected tooth are different conditions. However, the health of gums and teeth is interlinked; any problem in one can have its effect on the other. Infection in the gums can be due to irritation in the gums, cavities and abscess in tooth and gum disease itself.
Gum infection can be completely cured. Antibiotics as well as natural medicines are effective depending on the severity of infection.
Causes Of Infected Gums
Gum infection is caused by bacteria. There are different types of bacteria that reside normally in the mouth. Infection in gums can develop when gums are irritated, or through infected tooth or from gum disease.
A cavity in tooth can also lead to infection in gums. A large cavity is vulnerable to get infected. If left untreated, infection from the tooth can spread into the gums. Periodontal disease and gingivitis are other reasons for infected gums. The risk of gum infection increases under certain condition;
- If you do not take proper oral and dental care.
- Eat and drink too much sugary food. Children are more susceptible as they often eat chocolates, pastries etc. Carbonated beverages are equally harmful.
- If you are not brushing your teeth and gums daily.
- Malnourishment and vitamin deficiency, especially vitamin C deficiency.
Symptoms Of Infection In Gums
Gum infection can produce several different symptoms, they are;
- Pain in gums which increases while eating food or chewing.
- Redness all over the gum.
- Swollen gum.
- Toothache.
- Gums become spongy.
- Patient cannot bear slightest touch they are extremely sensitive.
- Bleeding from gums.
- Bad breath from mouth which is not relieved even after brushing and cleaning the oral cavity as well as the teeth.
- Pus oozing out from gums.
- Teeth become loose and sensitive.
- The gum boundary with teeth gets obliterated.
- Malocclusion of teeth.
Natural Ways To Treat Gum Infection
Once the gums get infected, usually with bacteria you need to treat the condition as early as possible and prevent further deterioration of gum and teeth. Gum infection is completely curable condition. It depends on the severity of the condition.
Usually dentist prescribe antibiotics and anti inflammatory medicines. Sometimes the infected gum needs to be incised and pus drained out from it. Several natural remedies are also effective in dealing with gum infection.
- Salt water gargles are extremely useful to keep the bacteria under check and prevent its multiplication. Salt has mild antibacterial properties. Swish your mouth with salt water at least two times in a day.
- Apply clove oil on the affected gum. The active ingredient eugenol present in clove oil acts as an anesthetic. Beside the antibacterial properties are invaluable for treating gum infection.
- Apply strawberry and lemon juice on the infected gums. Strawberry and lemon both are rich source of vitamin C. This vitamin helps in fighting the infection. Massage the juice gently on the infected gum and wash your mouth after few minutes.
- Rub and eat yogurt on the gums. Yogurt consist healthy bacteria. These bacteria help the body in fighting bad bacteria that are responsible for gum infection.
- Apply garlic juice on the affected infected gum. Garlic has natural ability to fight bacteria. You can also consume garlic by adding it in your food.