Table of contents:
- Choice of drugs to treat bleeding gums
- 1. Pain relievers
- 2. Antibiotics
- 3. Hydrogen peroxide solution
- Other treatment options for bleeding gums
- 1. Gargle cold water
- 2. Gargle salt water
- 3. Brush your teeth more diligently
- 4. Maintain intake of vitamin C and vitamin K
- 5. Stop smoking
- 6. Eat foods for bleeding gums
- See a doctor immediately if the gums bleed frequently and in large quantities
Bleeding gums may just look swollen and feel sore at first. However, if allowed to continue, this condition can be a place to start the infection. The following is a selection of medications that you can use to treat bleeding gums before they get worse.
Choice of drugs to treat bleeding gums
There are many reasons for gums to bleed prone. Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), due to infrequent brushing, injury or hard impact in the mouth, infections (viruses, fungi, or bacteria), to certain medical conditions are some of the causes.
This condition is common, but you also have to be careful because it could be that bleeding hives are a sign of other health problems.
In many cases, swollen and bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease. However, to minimize the occurrence of infection, overcome it by treating it safely.
Therefore, how to treat bleeding gums will actually depend on the cause. Here are various drug options to treat the most common bleeding gums.
1. Pain relievers
Bleeding gums are not always accompanied by pain and tenderness. However, you can take pain relievers as a remedy for bleeding gums.
This type of drug is useful for relieving or even preventing pain that arises.
Pain relievers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen in pharmacies are effective enough to treat minor pain, such as those caused by bleeding gums.
Make sure you take the medicine according to the recommended dosage. In order not to take the wrong dose, read carefully the rules for using the medicine before you drink it.
If you still don't understand or aren't sure about its use, don't hesitate to ask the pharmacist or doctor directly.
2. Antibiotics
If the cause of your bleeding gums is due to a bacterial infection, the dentist can prescribe antibiotics as a medicine for bleeding gums.
Antibiotics can kill the bad bacteria that cause infection in your mouth, thereby preventing the infection from getting worse.
It is important to understand that antibiotics should not be taken carelessly. The doctor will determine which type of antibiotic is most suitable for your condition, as well as tell you how to use it and measure the dose appropriately.
This needs to be considered because antibiotics that are used carelessly and not according to doctor's recommendations can make the disease more difficult to treat.
Therefore, always take any medicine according to the rules of use. Ask your doctor directly if you are worried about the side effects of a medicine you are taking.
3. Hydrogen peroxide solution
A hydrogen peroxide solution is a mouthwash of choice for treating bleeding gums. Hydrogen peroxide kills the bacteria that cause infection, as well as loosens plaque and stops bleeding in the gums.
You can buy this drug at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. Do not use pure hydrogen peroxide solution as a mouthwash, as it can irritate your mouth.
Dilute a small amount of hydrogen peroxide solution in a glass of water, then gargle for 30 seconds. Discard the used water afterwards. Then, rinse your mouth with a sip of water.
Other treatment options for bleeding gums
Apart from the medical drug options above, there are also various other remedies for bleeding gums to treat bleeding gums at home. Some of the methods below may be of first aid before you go to the dentist.
1. Gargle cold water
Gargling with cold water is the fastest way to treat bleeding gums.
The cold temperature of the water is claimed to help constrict the blood vessels in the gums, thereby stopping bleeding. Slowing blood flow to the injury site can also reduce inflammatory triggers and reduce swelling and provide pain relief.
Apart from gargling with cold water, you can also place ice cubes wrapped in a thin cloth on the affected side. Compress for 15-20 minutes. If you want to repeat it, give it a pause of 10 minutes before starting to compress again.
2. Gargle salt water
You can also try gargling salt water as a remedy to stop bleeding gums.
This method has been known since ancient times to treat various diseases, including problems with teeth and mouth.
Salt can effectively help relieve inflammation and swelling of the gums. The antibacterial properties of salt also play an important role in fighting infection-causing bacteria in the mouth.
The key, don't use too much salt as a mouthwash. Just use 1/2 teaspoon of salt and dissolve it in a glass of warm water.
Gargle for a few minutes then throw the water away. You can gargle at least 2-3 times a day or until the swelling of the gums has subsided.
3. Brush your teeth more diligently
Even if your gums are shriveling, you shouldn't forget to brush your teeth. This is because this method is also a medicine to treat bleeding gums.
Being lazy or rarely brushing your teeth will exacerbate the problem, because more and more bacteria reside on the gums. Brush your teeth twice a day (morning and night before bed) every day.
To be safer, use a soft, soft-bristled brush and toothpaste with fluoride content.
Also make sure how to brush your teeth is correct. Don't brush your teeth too hard. Instead of getting better quickly, this method can actually make the gums bleed even more.
4. Maintain intake of vitamin C and vitamin K
Gums often bleed for no reason, maybe it means you are not getting enough vitamins C and K. If you have this, in addition to taking supplements, eat lots of foods high in vitamin C and vitamin K as a natural remedy for bleeding gums.
Vitamin C has the benefit of strengthening the immune system as well as fighting bacteria that cause inflamed gums. You can get Vitamin C from fresh fruit such as oranges, mangoes, guava, or strawberries.
While vitamin K is equally important for preventing and overcoming bleeding gums. Why? This vitamin works to increase blood clotting so that bleeding in the gums subsides quickly.
You can get vitamin K from broccoli, spinach, or mustard greens.
5. Stop smoking
Everyone knows that smoking is bad for health, as well as for oral health. Cigarettes can inhibit the body's resistance to fighting infections that cause bleeding gums.
Not only that, cigarettes can also make your mouth dry and taste sour. This oral condition makes it easier for the bacteria in it to multiply and worsens the infection.
Therefore, quitting smoking is the most effective solution and medicine to treat bleeding gums. Try starting out slowly by cutting back on one cigarette from day to day.
For those of you who don't smoke but are always close to the smoke, the risk of experiencing the same thing also remains. So, as much as possible avoid exposure to cigarette smoke from the surrounding environment.
6. Eat foods for bleeding gums
Apart from dental care, you also need to pay attention to the food you eat when you are experiencing bleeding gums.
The first food is meat. You can eat meat carelessly if you have bleeding gums. Make sure you choose lean meat.
Joe Tagliarini, a dentist from Comprehensive Dental Health, said that beef, mutton, and oysters are rich in zinc content. Minerals in beef serve as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and boost the immune system that can fight gum disease.
The high content of vitamin B6 in meat and seafood such as fish can help you to fight gum disease.
The combination of whole grains with milk and orange juice is also very healthy and good for gums. Calcium from milk will form healthy and strong teeth. Meanwhile, the vitamin C content of orange juice helps the gums to heal on their own.
See a doctor immediately if the gums bleed frequently and in large quantities
Gums that do not stop bleeding for more than 7 days should be checked by a dentist immediately.
Remember, there are many factors that trigger bleeding gums. Starting from things that can be avoided, such as brushing your teeth too hard, to signs of a serious medical condition that must be treated immediately.
Therefore, never underestimate the bleeding gums that you experience. In principle, immediately check with the dentist if after taking the medicine the gums are still bleeding, and are accompanied by signs such as:
- Too much blood.
- The bleeding lasted for days.
- Severe pain and tenderness in the affected gum area.
- Experiencing other symptoms such as high fever, bad breath, and difficulty chewing and biting food.