Introduction
Ointments that are used in the presence of gingivitis can be purchased in pharmacies or health food stores. When using them, however, it should be noted that such ointments belong to so-called complementary medicine and cannot be equated with professional treatment in a dental practice. The best way to counteract gingivitis is to carry out a so-called professional tooth cleaning in combination with optimizing the daily oral hygiene of the respective patient. Ointments can be additionally helpful and alleviate the typical symptoms. However, they are not suitable as the sole therapy for gingivitis.
Over-the-counter and prescription ointments against gum inflammation
In the case of gingivitis, an ointment can help to relieve the pain and speed up healing. The ointments are available in pharmacies, most of which can be used without a prescription. Accordingly, the range of possible ointments is very large.
It is best to get detailed advice at the pharmacy about which ointment is suitable for you and which ointments have been used the best. Many contain a small dose of local anaesthetics to relieve the pain. If you have your gum inflammation treated by a dentist, which is recommended, he or she will, if necessary, prescribe a suitable ointment that seems best for the patient in the specific case.
The way of application must then be according to his instructions, otherwise the instructions are to be found in the package inserts. In case of more severe inflammation, such as ANUG, treatment with hydrogen peroxide may be necessary, the use of which must be prescribed by the dentist. This fact can be explained by the fact that plant extracts such as sage, chamomile and myrrh have anti-inflammatory properties.
In addition, ointment containing rhubarb root can have a calming effect on inflamed gums and provide relief to the affected patient. In general, ointments for treating gingivitis are applied to the affected areas immediately after brushing the teeth and massaged in lightly. The excess of the ointment should not be rinsed out afterwards.
In order to strengthen the effect of the plant extracts, a mouth rinse with sea salt water can be carried out before application. Due to the antibacterial effect of the salt, this measure reduces bacterial colonization within the oral cavity. In addition, the sea salt solution also has a strong anti-inflammatory effect.
For patients who, in addition to bleeding gums and swelling of the tissue, complain of pain, the use of an analgesic ointment (e.g. Dynexan® Mouth Gel) may also be useful. Various household remedies can also lead to good results when used regularly. Many gum ointments contain local anesthetics in addition to natural substances.
Thus lidocaine is a common ingredient in such ointments. Lidocaine can inhibit the prostaglandin controlled Na+- channels and thus stop the pain. Gingivitis usually causes no pain at first, so that it often goes undetected.
If pain is present, the inflammation is already more advanced. In this case, lidocaine would relieve the pain, so that the patient’s well-being improves. In addition to the soothing effect, the ointments also contain anti-inflammatory agents to quickly treat the gum inflammation.
However, this does not replace the thorough cleaning of the teeth, as only this is the most effective remedy against inflammation of the gums. The anaesthetic ointments have a calming effect, fight the inflammation and suppress the unpleasant feeling in the oral cavity. Kamillosan is a natural remedy against inflammation.
It is mainly used in the stomach, intestines, mouth and throat area. As the name suggests, it contains camomile extracts. Kamillosan products have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects and improve wound healing.
It also helps with slight cramps caused by the pain of an inflammation. Kamillosan offers the following products: The concentrate is best suited for inflammations in the mouth area. It contains 42.8% alcohol and thus kills the bacteria.
You should keep the solution in your mouth for 60 seconds and gargle in your mouth and throat.At the same time it helps against a sick and irritated throat. Especially for inflammations in the mouth, there is the mouth and throat spray with only 25% alcohol. It is suitable for children or people for whom the concentrate is too strong.
Thanks to the long handle, it can be applied exactly to the inflamed and painful areas. Gum inflammation should be examined by a dentist. For additional therapy, herbal and homeopathic remedies are suitable to accelerate the healing process.
If the gums bleed, an ointment containing Mercurius Solubilis should be used. If there is additional pain, Silicea is suitable. As these ointments are rare and not very tasty, homeopathic globules should be used or vegetable gels containing sage or chamomile extracts.
Such are for example propolis ointments or the periodontal mouth ointment. When children are teething, small inflammations often occur in the gum area. Dentinox helps to relieve the pain and inflammation.
It also makes it easier and faster for teeth to erupt. Children should be careful with herbal remedies. Most gels or solutions have a high percentage of alcohol.
Although this is not dangerous for the child, the tincture is often too “spicy” for the child, so that the application time is not sufficient. If the child can tolerate the ointment, it can use the same as the adults. Nevertheless, one should have the child examined by a dentist. Because if you already suffer from gum inflammation as a child, it can be an aggressive form that cannot be treated easily with herbal remedies.
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