Relief of Pain in Periodontal Tissue

Gum pain can be extremely uncomfortable. Swelling, bleeding, soreness, and itchiness in the gums, or periodontal tissue, are all symptoms of periodontal disease. This occurs because of poor oral hygiene during childhood, but symptoms usually appear during the adult years. Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, can also occur simply because of poor hygiene during adulthood. This is preventable disease, but if the known prevention methods are not used, periodontal disease sufferers are usually desperate to find relief from pain in periodontal tissue.

Self-Management of the Periodontal Pain

• If a person has symptoms of periodontal disease, there are treatments that will provide initial relief from the pain. Flossing on a regular basis can actually help strengthen the gums; this helps the pain to subside. Brushing the teeth with one of the desensitizing toothpastes on the market will help alleviate the pain during brushing. Using an over the counter pain reliever can diminish gum pain significantly. If none of these options decrease the pain, a visit to the dentist becomes necessary. For pain that is somewhat minor, a dentist can prescribe pain medication or an oral rinse that helps to minimize discomfort.

In-Office Treatment for the Pain

• Sometimes the pain periodontal disease becomes so significant that a dentist's intervention is required. If the disease is in the early stages, a dentist's treatment can reduce the pain and cure the disease. The dentist does this with a treatment called scaling and root planing, which closes the "pockets" in the gums causing the periodontal tissue pain. Occasionally, the dentist needs to put a medication in a pocket after the scaling and planing procedure to further minimize plain.

Surgical Procedures for the Pain

• In certain cases, the scaling and root planing is not sufficient to treat the periodontal disease, and patients still suffer from the pain. With such patients, surgery is required. During surgery, a dentist will actually remove the tissue that is swollen and causing the pain. By removing the tissue, tartar is removed and the roots are repaired so that damaged gums can properly attach again. Additionally, it is sometimes necessary for the dentist to complete a procedure that helps repair bone that was affected by the periodontal disease. While this surgery is done to minimize pain over the long term, there will be pain that occurs in the periodontal tissue after the surgery. The dentist will likely provide medication and a mouth rinse to help minimize the pain following surgery.

Summary

• Periodontal disease is a very common condition in adults throughout the world. While a preventable disease as well as a treatable one, the pain in periodontal tissue that accompanies the disease is extremely uncomfortable. When in the minor stages of the disease, there are treatments that can be done at home to minimize pain. However, true relief from the pain will come from in-office treatments by a dentist or oral surgeon, who can ultimately cure the disease.