Toothache is such an unpleasant sensation, which, perhaps, can not be compared with anything. Due to their busyness, laziness, carefree attitude to health or because of a banal fear of doctors, many postpone a visit to the dentist until the last.
And at that moment, when it turns out to fall asleep in the evening only with anesthetic medicine, we heroically go "to give up" in the dentist's saving hands.
As dental practice shows, the vast majority of problems with teeth and gums can be avoided by regular inspection. A visit to the dental office is recommended at least 1 time in three months. But what to do if there is a clear inflammatory process in the oral cavity, accompanied by painful sensations? What actions will be most correct?
Causes of tooth and gum pain
Some people believe that taking an antibiotic for gum and tooth inflammation will be the best solution. However, this is a misconception. The first thing you need to see a dentist. This is the only correct solution when detecting even the most minor oral problems.
The dentist is able to adequately and professionally assess the situation. After examining the oral cavity, he will identify the cause of the pain.
This may be one of the following processes:
- Caries with pulpitis. This is a fairly common problem in people who do not go to the dentist on time. Neglected caries develops deep into the tooth, and the cavity deepens into the pulp. The inflammatory process affects the nerve, and a person not only experiences discomfort when the enamel comes in contact with cold, hot and sweet food. Pulpitis can cause intolerable and persistent toothache. The antibiotic here will be completely useless. It is worth taking an anesthetic drug, for example, "Nurofen", and immediately consult a dentist.
- The effect of the "dead tooth". This phenomenon is characteristic of a tooth from which a nerve has been removed. He stops responding to stimuli. However, if he is infected, pain appears and an inflammatory process develops. This can develop into an abscess, flux or purulent inflammation of the gums, which is a mortal danger to humans. With these phenomena, the doctor prescribes antibiotics, but before that he performs the procedure of opening the site to remove accumulations of pus.
- Gingivitis is an inflammation that affects the mucous membranes of the gums. It begins with the formation of tartar and the development of bacteria in it. Microorganisms release toxins, and tissues become inflamed. In this case, bleeding, discomfort and inflammation of the gums are observed. Antibiotic treatment for this disease is not always prescribed, and this decision is made only by the doctor.
- Periodontitis is an inflammatory process that affects the tissues surrounding the tooth and causes pain. This disease develops if gingivitis is not treated in time. There is a pronounced inflammation of the gums. What antibiotics are indicated in this condition, the dentist decides.
- Periodontal disease is a non-inflammatory systemic disease that affects the teeth. This is a rather difficult process, which leads to exposure of the neck, painful sensations and increased sensitivity of enamel. Loosening and tooth loss can also occur. Periodontal disease requires a comprehensive treatment, which includes flushing pathological pockets, a course of antibiotics, patchwork, splinting and correction of the underlying disease.
Why you can not choose an antibiotic yourself?
One important rule should be made clear: only a dentist prescribes an antibiotic for inflammation of the gums and teeth. Self-medication in these cases is unacceptable, since this group of drugs has several features:
- Antibiotics are not able to eliminate pain. These medications are designed to fight the bacteria that provoke it. Analgesics are intended for pain relief.
- Each antibiotic has a pronounced highly specific effect and is effective only against a specific group of microorganisms. Only a qualified specialist can choose which one is needed.
- The action of an antibiotic will be effective only in combination with special treatment. Without it, the result of using the drug will be reduced to zero.
- The course of the antibiotic must be completed. Interrupted therapy will not give the desired result.
How does a doctor prescribe an antibiotic?
The doctor prescribes the necessary antibiotic for inflammation of the gums and teeth from the generally accepted list of drugs that dental practice recommends for a specific disease.
In order for the treatment to be most productive, a smear on the flora from the patient’s oral mucosa is first taken. This is done to determine the strain of the microorganism that provoked gum disease. The reasons for this scrupulous approach are a huge variety of bacteria, each of which can be destroyed by a certain medication. This method is commonly called antibiotic susceptibility testing.
There are several groups of antibacterial drugs that are commonly used in dentistry. Further they will be considered in more detail.
Nitroimidazoles
The most common drug from this group is Metranidozole 0.5. Its peculiarity is that it is used only in combination with any basic antibacterial drug. This drug is taken three times a day, 1 tablet.
Lincosamides
The following types of drugs are used:
- "Lincomycin" 0.25 in the form of capsules, which are taken in 2 pieces twice a day. This antibiotic for inflammation of the gums and teeth is very effective, but often causes digestive upsets and dysbiosis.
- "Lincomycin" - 30% solution for injection, which are made 2 times a day, 2 ml intramuscularly. This is a good alternative to oral capsule administration.
- Clindamycin 150 mg in capsule form and Clindamycin 300 mg injection. These two remedies are preferably prescribed for periodontitis.
Fluoroquinolones
The following drugs belong to this group of antibiotics:
- "Nolitsin" 400 mg.
- Syphlox 250 mg.
- "Tarivide" 200 mg.
All of these drugs are available in tablet form and are taken one at a time twice a day.
These drugs are usually prescribed for patients with diabetes mellitus when other antibiotics do not work.
What is the best way to take an antibiotic?
The course of antibiotic therapy is usually 7-10 days, but the timing can be adjusted by the doctor for certain circumstances of the disease.
Several decades ago, domestic dentists preferred the procedure for administering an antibiotic directly to the patient's gums. Now this method is not performed, but some clinics continue to work in the same way. This treatment technique has long been excluded from the recommended procedures, as it has negative consequences, significantly exceeding the positive effect. The dangerous consequences of injecting an antibiotic into the gums include:
- Periodontal necrosis. As a result of injections, a large amount of antibiotic accumulates in the tissues around the tooth. In a short period, a large number of pathogenic bacteria die, releasing a colossal dose of toxins and cytokines. This results in the necrosis of the microbundles of the tooth and bone tissue.
- The appearance of mobility. As a result of tissue necrosis around the tooth, its strengthening weakens, and it begins to loosen.
Based on these considerations, antibiotic injections are made only intramuscularly.
Some patients experience gum disease after tooth extraction. This indicates either a weak immunity, or a violation of oral hygiene.
In any case, whether or not to take an antibiotic for this problem can only be decided by a dentist with a thorough examination.
When prescribing a course of treatment, a doctor will definitely give a number of recommendations. This is especially true for the proper use of antibiotics:
- Do not violate the reception mode.
- It is forbidden to drink alcohol throughout the course.
- The dosage is strictly adhered to.
- Despite the external improvement, the course must be completed. Reducing the deadline can reduce the result to zero.
Gum rinse
In addition to the procedures in the dentist’s office and the course of antibiotic therapy, the doctor usually prescribes the patient a mouth rinse. This manipulation is very simple and very effective, so it can be done at home. The dentist, depending on the disease, will give recommendations on how to rinse your mouth with gum disease.
This procedure combines medical and hygienic characteristics. When rinsing, food particles that are not accessible to the toothbrush are removed, and itching, pain, bleeding and inflammation are removed. You can rinse your mouth with the following antiseptic solutions:
- "Furacilin" (2-3 times a day).
- “Chlorhexidine” (every time after eating, according to the state of complete recovery).
- "Chlorophyllipt" (prepare the solution and rinse three times a day).
- "Miramistin" (3-4 times a day).
Can also be used to rinse the mouth "Rotokan" and a solution of hydrogen peroxide. They show excellent effectiveness against gum disease. Tools such as Forest Balsam and Malavit will help relieve pain, as well as perfectly eliminate bleeding and give freshness to breathing.
Herbs and plants to help gums
To your question: how to rinse your mouth with gum disease, any doctor will recommend medicinal herbs. They are no worse than medicines can help with diseases of the oral cavity. The following medicinal plants have proven themselves well:
- Calendula. One spoonful of flowers should be brewed with a glass of boiling water and let it brew.
- Chamomile. Two tablespoons of raw materials pour a glass of boiling water and insist.
Use cooled and strained infusions of herbs to rinse the gums.
They have a pronounced antibacterial effect.
The following herbs have an excellent anti-inflammatory effect:
- Sage (a spoonful of raw materials per glass of boiling water).
- Yarrow (2 tablespoons of inflorescences pour 0.5 liters of water and boil for 15 minutes).
With rinsed-down infusions, rinse your mouth, or make gum baths.
The following plants have an excellent astringent and firming effect for gums:
- Oak bark (pour a handful of raw materials into 0.5 liters of water and cook in a water bath for 30 minutes).
- St. John's wort (flowers insist on alcohol and bred in rinsing water).
All of these tools in the complex will help to cope with gum disease. However, it is worth remembering that the best remedy for diseases is a timely periodic examination by a dentist for the purpose of prevention and treatment.