Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Using home remedies
• Part 2 of 2: Medical treatment
• Tips
• Warnings

Itchy gums can be very irritating, especially if you don't know what causes them. Itchy gums can be a sign of a variety of mouth conditions, including an allergy, gum disease, or even dry mouth. Stop the itching with home remedies to relieve the irritation and visit the dentist to examine and treat oral conditions.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Using home remedies

1. Rinse your mouth with cool water. Rinsing with lukewarm or cold can remove any dirt or particles that make your gums itch and help with irritation and swelling.
   • Preferably rinse with filtered water or spring water. You may be allergic to something in the tap water that makes your gums itch.
2. Suck on an ice cube. Suck on a piece of ice if your gums are itchy. The cold will numb your gums and reduce any inflammation.
   • If you don't like ice cubes, try a popsicle or something else that is frozen.
   • Let the ice melt and you'll keep your mouth hydrated and the itchiness may diminish even further.
3. Gargle with salt water. Depending on the cause of the itching, gargling with salt water can provide relief. Rinse with salt water until your gums are no longer itchy.
   • Put a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle with the salt water for 30 seconds, focusing on your gums. Spit out the water when you are done.
   • Do not swallow the mixture or use it for more than 10 days in a row.
4. Rinse with a solution of hydrogen peroxide. Make a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. This solution can reduce itching and inflammation.
   • Put 3% hydrogen peroxide in an equal amount of water.
   • Rinse with this mixture for 15 to 30 seconds and then spit it out.
   • Do not use hydrogen peroxide for more than 10 days.
   • You can also rinse with liquid propolis, although it can stain your teeth. Put six to ten drops of propolis in a glass of water and rinse for a minute before spitting it out.
5. Make a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste and apply it to your gums. This paste can tackle a bacterial infection that is causing the itching.
   • Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of filtered or spring water. Add small amounts of water until you have a thick paste.
   • You can also try a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
6. Spread some aloe vera on it. Recent research has shown that aloe vera can help with oral irritation. Rub some on your itchy gums to get relief. You can find aloe vera in many forms, all of which can help with itchy gums, such as:
   • Toothpaste and mouthwash
   • Gel, which you can mix with water and drink or apply directly to your gums
   • Spray
   • Juice, which you can rinse with
7. Do not eat too much spicy and acidic foods. Consider avoiding any foods and drinks that make itching and irritation worse. Avoid spicy and sour foods and tobacco products.
   • Notice which foods make the itching worse. This could indicate an allergy as the cause of your itchy gums.
   • Eat foods that won't make the itching worse. Try yogurt and ice creams, which can cool and soothe your gums.
   • Foods and drinks such as tomatoes, lemons, orange juice and coffee can make itching and irritation worse.
   • Do not use tobacco products as they can cause the itching or make it worse.
8. Reduce stress. Research has shown that psychological stress can contribute to periodontal disease. Reducing stress in your life can help with itchy gums.
   • Avoid stressful situations as much as you can.
   • Exercise and restful activities can reduce stress.
9. Maintain good oral hygiene. Keeping your mouth clean is essential to reduce itchy gums. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss and clean your tongue once a day.
   • Rinse your mouth after every meal.

Part 2 of 2: Medical treatment

1. Go to the dentist. If you have itchy gums and they haven't gotten better after 7 to 10 days of home remedies, make an appointment with your dentist. He / she can find out where the discomfort is coming from and find the right treatment.
   • Itchy gums can be caused by a fungal infection, a bacterial infection or a virus; certain medications, lack of certain nutrients; ill-fitting prostheses; teeth grinding; an allergie; stress or periodontal disease.
   • Make an appointment as soon as possible. With some gum disease, you won't notice all the changes to your mouth or gums.
   • Tell the dentist when the symptoms started, which remedies you tried, and what relieves or makes the symptoms worse.
   • Let your dentist know if you have any medical conditions and what medications you are taking.
2. Get examined and diagnosed. If your gums are itchy, your dentist can check for gingivitis, which is a mild gum disease that can have a variety of causes. Once he / she knows what's causing your itchy gums, he / she can create the best treatment plan for you.
   • Your dentist may be able to diagnose gingivitis or other gum disease just by looking at your teeth, gums, and oral cavity. He / she will especially check if your gums are red, swollen and bleeding excessively, as these are the symptoms of gingivitis.
   • Your dentist can also refer you to another doctor, such as an internist or allergist, to rule out underlying causes.
3. Get treatment. Depending on the diagnosis, the dentist may prescribe medication to relieve the itching. You can also be given medications to treat underlying oral or other conditions.
4. Get your teeth cleaned. In many cases, itchy gums or gingivitis are caused by plaque or tartar. If you get your teeth cleaned properly, you will remove the cause of the itching and your mouth will be healthier. Your dentist or dental hygienist can use one of the following procedures:
   • Scraping, which removes tartar above and below the gumline.
   • Root planing, which involves scraping the surface of the root to get rid of bacteria and infected spots. This creates a smooth surface where your gums can easily grow back to. It is a simple procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia.
   • Laser treatment, which removes tartar, but is less painful than scraping or root planing.
5. Get antiseptic treatment. If your dentist chooses to plan or scrape, he / she can apply an antiseptic to the gum pockets. This can remedy the condition further. Your dentist can put the following things in the pockets:
   • Antiseptic pieces with chlorhexidine. These are placed in the pockets after root planing and always release a little of the active substance.
   • Microspheres containing the antibiotic minocycline. These are placed in the pockets after planing or scraping.
6. Use oral antibiotics. Your dentist can also prescribe oral antibiotics such as doxycycline to use after cleaning. This can correct the inflammation and prevent tooth decay.
7. Take oral antihistamines. An antihistamine can neutralize allergens and relieve itchy gums. If your condition is the result of an allergy, take an antihistamine as needed. Some antihistamines you could take are:
   • Cetirizine, available as 10 mg tablets, one of which may be taken per day.
   • Loratadine, also available as 10 mg tablets, and the dosage of this is 1 tablet once a day.
8. Use lozenges or a spray. Suck on an anesthetic lozenge or use a spray. These products contain a light anesthetic that will temporarily relieve you of the itching.
   • Use these lozenges or spray every two to three hours as instructed in the package insert.
   • Suck the lozenge until it has melted. If you swallow it, your entire throat may become numb and it may be difficult to swallow.
9. Use a bactericidal mouthwash. A bactericidal mouthwash with chlorhexidine disinfects your mouth and relieves itching. Rinse your mouth with this rinse at least twice a day.
   • Put 15 ml of mouthwash in a cup and rinse for 15 to 20 seconds before spitting it out.
10. Consider periodontal surgery. If the itchy gums are caused by gum disease, you may need surgery. Consider this option if your dentist finds you have advanced gum disease. There are a few procedures that can help you:
    • A flap surgery, in which the gums are loosened from the teeth and jawbone, after which plaque is removed and your gums are sutured so that it fits tightly again. This is performed under general anesthesia so that you do not notice the operation.
    • Bone and tissue grafts, in which jaw bone lost due to severe gum disease is replaced.

Tips

• Go to the dentist every six months to keep your gums and teeth healthy and to prevent gum problems.
• Drink plenty of water, eat healthy and make sure you get enough vitamins A and C. That is good for your oral health.

Warnings

• If the itching persists for more than a few days or is accompanied by bleeding, or if the symptoms get worse after trying home remedies, see the dentist as soon as possible.