Pain and bleeding gums

Question:

I am having pain and bleeding from a tooth.  Also, anything that I eat sticks between by teeth.  Do you have any advice or suggestions for medications?

Answer:

Based off of your description, it looks like you are suffering from pain from your gingiva (gums) and not your actual tooth.  However, please read our article on Toothaches to further assess the situation involving the actual tooth itself.

Inflammation of the Gums = Gingivitis

Usually, when food, bacteria, plaque, calculus, or anything else accumulates around our gums it causes an inflammatory response.  This means that the gums are sensitive, red, puffy, swollen, and bleed very easily.  It sounds like your gums are inflamed, thus causing the bleeding and pain.  This condition is called gingivitis.  A more advanced form of this ailment is called periodontitis if bone loss is involved.

How to Treat Gingivitis

So how can you treat this?  Well, your best bet is to visit your dentist for a thorough cleaning.  If severe, he/she may prescribe you antibiotics to help solve the problem.  However, here are some suggestions to help you with the situation now.

• Rinse with warm salt water to deal with the pain and sensitivity
• Use a mouthwash with chlorohexidine gluconate.  This is a mild antiseptic that is used to kill harmful bacteria in the mouth thus helping to eliminate plaque, calculus, and gingivitis.
• FLOSS EVERY DAY.  This is key to maintaining the health of your gums/gingiva.  Flossing eliminates the bacteria or food trapped under the gums.  This step is also very important for you being that food packs between your teeth.  In areas such as that, you must be sure to brush thoroughly and floss to remove all irritants.

Hope these tips help out and good luck,

SaveMySmile Team