Ointments and gels for toothache: a review of pain-relieving ointments for teeth

Many adults experience such a symptom as gum inflammation. It is characterized by bad breath, redness of the gums and bleeding. A good effect in the case of this disease is provided by complex treatment prescribed by a periodontist. The specialist may recommend topical medications and, if necessary, prescribe oral antibacterial agents or physical therapy.

As local therapy for gum inflammation, medications containing antiseptics, anti-inflammatory and analgesic substances are usually prescribed. They can be used in the form of rinses, irrigations, and applications. Let's talk about the most famous medications for gum inflammation.

Content:

Types and purpose
Anti-inflammatory
Painkillers
Wound healing
Comprehensive periodontal treatment
Rules of application

The products of the pharmaceutical industry are extremely diverse, including those for dental clinics. Without outside help, it can be difficult to figure out when gum ointment is needed and how an anesthetic dental gel differs from it. The review article will help classify the products prescribed by dentists according to their effects and composition, but this is in no way a guide to their independent use.

Names of antibiotics used for inflammation of the dental nerve and root

The dentist prescribes medications to suppress infection based on the results of an examination of the problem area. When the nerve is inflamed, it is difficult to eat and drink; throbbing or aching pain accompanies a person throughout the day and intensifies at night.

Before starting therapy, the doctor conducts an allergy test and interviews the patient to identify contraindications.

Antibiotics help eliminate inflammation of the root and dental nerve:

Ciprofloxacin.
Azithromycin.
Amoxiclav.
Azithromycin.
Ampiox.
Doxycycline.
Digital

Types and purpose

Gum inflammation is a widespread problem. There are many reasons for it, but the results are always the same: they turn red and bleed, and there is an unpleasant odor from the mouth. Periodontists practice complex treatment: antibacterial medications for oral administration, physical therapy and local therapy.

For local therapeutic effects, antiseptics and analgesics are used in powders and rinsing solutions, but ointments and gels that act in a targeted, effective and long-lasting manner are more convenient. They are quickly absorbed, therefore they actively influence the affected tissues, shorten the healing time and alleviate the patient’s condition. Their peculiarity is the almost complete absence of contraindications, except for individual intolerance and a minimum of adverse reactions compared to other dosage forms.

All such preparations, spread and rubbed into the oral cavity, are usually classified into groups that differ in the basis that binds the active components:

gels are water-soluble, they are light and have good absorption, so the active components immediately reach the diseased organ in full, in addition, the film formed on the surface acts as an additional protection for the mucous membrane:
ointments are oily, have a dense and heavy consistency, which is poorly absorbed and washed off with saliva.

Only a doctor will be able to select the right type of medicine, based on the clinical picture of the disease and taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

Signs of teething

Most often, the first teeth appear at the sixth to eighth month, but in some babies the incisor may emerge as early as four months or, conversely, teething will be delayed for six months. All this is quite normal for a healthy little organism.

Since the tooth literally needs to cut through soft tissue to appear, the first symptoms will be redness and slight swelling of the gums in this place. In addition, the following symptoms may indicate the rapid eruption of the first teeth:

Increased amount of saliva.
Over the course of a few weeks, you may notice that drool is dripping and even leaking from your mouth - this is normal during the teething period.
Itchy gums.
The tooth that is preparing to appear irritates the gums, causing itching and unpleasant pain. The child, trying to reduce discomfort, more often puts toys and pacifiers, various other objects and his hands into his mouth.
Appetite and sleep disturbances.
Unrelenting itching prevents the child from falling asleep and prevents him from eating properly.
Heat.
Some children experience an increase in temperature during this period; be careful; if the fever does not subside for more than two days, consult a doctor.
Stool disorder.
Diarrhea often accompanies the appearance of the first teeth, but you should also be very careful with it. If it intensifies, is too intense, or lasts more than two days, or is accompanied by a change in the color and smell of the stool, be sure to tell your doctor.
Symptoms of ARVI.
Since a cutting tooth causes inflammation in the oral cavity, it is quite logical for a runny nose and cough to appear. The main thing is not to confuse these symptoms with a real disease.

Anti-inflammatory

They help relieve pain, relieve swelling and itching, and reduce bleeding. They are prescribed after dental operations on the gums, after tooth extraction, implantation and other complex manipulations. This is a large group for the complex treatment of diseases with inflammatory and infectious processes:

Gingivitis. Infection of the oral cavity occurs due to insufficient hygiene due to the accumulation of microorganisms. Bleeding of the affected areas and the development of severe complications are possible.
Stomatitis is painful inflammation localized on the tongue, cheeks, and gums.
Periodontitis is a disease that threatens the loss of a fragment of the jaw, with the formation of plaque, stones, and suppuration. It is painful.
Periodontal disease is the gradual destruction of tissues surrounding and holding the elements of the jaw in their sockets, as well as mucous membranes and bone, causing atrophy, a decrease in bone volume with exposure of tooth roots.

Very popular in this line:

Metrogyl Denta is a combined antibacterial gel for the treatment of infections of various etiologies.
Dental, in addition to anti-inflammatory properties, has analgesic and wound healing properties.
Solcoseryl is most in demand in dental practice. Unlike many others with similar effects, it is a medicine, not a balm, therefore it is often used for candidiasis, viral, traumatic and ulcerative necrotic stomatitis. Accelerates tissue regeneration.
Cholisal - antimicrobial and analgesic effects. Inhibits the inflammatory process, reduces heat at the site of application.

Injections of antibiotics into the gums –

I would like to say a few words about such a treatment method as injections of antibiotics into the gums. This method of treatment has never been used abroad due to the enormous harm that such injections cause to the gums. In Russia, this method of treatment was previously very common due to its low cost and low qualifications of dentists (in conditions where the treatment of periodontal diseases is not carried out by periodontologists specially trained for this, but by any ordinary dentist).

Below we will explain why, if a clinic offers you a course of antibiotic injections into your gums, you should immediately run away from this clinic and look for another clinic/another doctor. The visible part of the treatment is basically that injections into the gums can actually lead to a decrease in the intensity of inflammation (bleeding, pain, swelling and redness of the gums are reduced). Although some patients may already experience gum abscessation at this stage, this is especially common in the presence of deep periodontal pockets.

How are antibiotic injections given in the gums?

Injecting an antibiotic directly into the gum results in the creation of a terrifyingly high concentration of antibiotic in the gum and bone tissue around the tooth. The antibiotic lincomycin is usually prescribed. In low concentrations it is bacteriostatic, but in high concentrations it begins to have a bactericidal effect, which leads to the immediate destruction of a very large number of pathogenic microorganisms (and not gradually, as it should be). The death of pathogenic bacteria is always accompanied by the release of a large number of toxins, various pathogens, as well as so-called “cytokines” (inflammatory mediators).

When too many of them are thrown out at the same time, this leads to the appearance of multiple foci of necrosis in the periodontium (the periodontium is the ligamentous apparatus of the tooth, with the help of the fibers of which the tooth is connected to the bone tissue). Such areas of necrosis heal with the formation of scar tissue, the formation of which initially gives the appearance of strengthening the tooth, but, unfortunately, the joy does not last long. Normal periodontium of teeth is adapted to bear a large mechanical (chewing) load, which cannot be said about scar tissue. And as soon as the area of attachment of the tooth to the bone decreases due to the normal periodontium, a mechanical overload of the ligamentous apparatus of the tooth occurs.

As a result, the bone tissue around the tooth begins to dissolve, which leads to an even greater increase in its mobility. Moreover, in this case, mobility will no longer be associated with inflammation, but with a decrease in bone level, as well as a decrease in the area of periodontal attachment of the tooth root to the bone. And this is irreversible mobility, which cannot be corrected by any treatment.

Painkillers

Indicated for severe pain, rubbed into the location of the pain symptom, after surgical manipulations to alleviate the condition during the recovery period. Anesthetic gel for teeth is often used during teething in babies.

All medicines are different in composition, so they are divided into categories:

Anesthetic. It contains lidocaine, which can cause allergies, so it should only be prescribed by a doctor. They are used for severe pain and are characterized by a rapid effect. A prominent representative is the pain-relieving gel for gums Kamistad; Kalgel and Dentinox are popular and effective.
Antiseptics. Lidocaine and other analgesics are not included; the anesthetic effect is imparted by an anti-inflammatory effect that reduces swelling. A typical representative is Cholisal, indispensable for teething, as it does not cause side symptoms and rarely gives allergic reactions.
Homeopathic - created on the basis of plant extracts, therefore they are often used in pediatric dentistry. They can relieve pain for a short time, but do not cope with severe pain. The most popular children's dental ointment is Baby Doctor or Pansoral.

Diarrhea after taking antibiotics –

Taking antibiotics can often lead to the development of diarrhea, and there is even such a term as antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Most often, diarrhea is caused by penicillin derivatives and cephalosporins (β-lactam antibiotics) - especially their tablet forms, although the development of diarrhea is possible after their intramuscular or intravenous administration. The main pathogen that leads to the development of diarrhea is Clostridium perfrogens. The rapid growth of this pathogen occurs due to the fact that antibiotics suppress not only pathogenic flora, but also bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, enterococci and Escherichia coli, which under normal conditions inhibit the growth of Clostridium perfrigens.

But the mechanism of development of diarrhea can be complex, i.e. may take into account not only the suppression of beneficial microflora. For example, clavulanic acid as part of a number of antibiotics can increase intestinal motility, thereby causing hyperkinetic diarrhea. Antibiotics of the cephalosporin group (especially cefixime or cefoperazone) are poorly absorbed from the intestinal lumen, which can lead to so-called hyperosmolar diarrhea.

Diarrhea most often occurs –

in 10-25% of cases – when prescribing drugs “amoxicillin + clavulanic acid”,
15-20% – when prescribing cefixime (this is a cephalosporin),
5-10% – when prescribing ampicillin or clindamycin,
2-5% – when prescribing other cephalosporins (except cefixime), as well as macrolides (erythromycin, clarithromycin),
and only 1-2% when prescribing fluoroquinolones.

Conclusions: i.e. If you have already had cases of diarrhea after taking Amoxiclav or Augmentin (containing amoxicillin and clavulanic acid), then it is better to opt for other groups of antibiotics. First of all, these are modern fluoroquinolones, and it is especially worth paying attention to those fluoroquinolone preparations that are combined with tinidazole (for example, Tsiprolet-A or Tsifran-ST).

Another type of severe antibiotic-associated diarrhea is called “pseudomembranous colitis”. Its development is already associated with another microorganism - Clostridium difficile. The development of pseudomembranous colitis is primarily associated with the use of clindamycin, ampicillin and cephalosporins. Moreover, unfortunately, experience shows that the risk of its development when taking Russian antibiotics is much higher.

How to reduce the risk of diarrhea after taking antibiotics -

Firstly, taking probiotics in parallel can help you with this. These are drugs that contain bacteria that are beneficial to our intestines. There are a large number of probiotics, for example, some of the best are the drug Linex, as well as Bifiform. Keep in mind that it is better to choose multicomponent preparations that contain several types of beneficial bacteria.

Probiotic Bifiform (30 capsules) –

Another option to reduce the risk of diarrhea is to choose an antibiotic combined with tinidazole or metronidazole (if the risk of diarrhea is high, and if indicated). We hope that our article: Antibiotics for toothache and gum disease was useful to you!

Sources:

1. Dental education of the author of the article, 2. Based on personal experience as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, dental surgeon, 3. National Library of Medicine (USA), 4. “Systemic antibacterial drugs in periodontology” (Mazur I.P.), 5. “Sensitivity of microbial associations of periodontal pocket exudate and odontogenic focus to antibacterial drugs” (Makeeva I.M.).

Wound healing

Their main purpose is to accelerate natural regeneration and stop the inflammatory process. Used in dentistry for the treatment of injuries in the following cases:

surgical intervention, for example, when removing a chewing element or surgery on bone tissue;
in the presence of ulcers, fistulas, ulcers and necrosis;
mechanical injury;
for burns of the mucous membrane (for example, hot food or drinks).

Also indicated for a complex of therapeutic procedures. For example, in case of periodontal damage, pain-relieving ointment for gums Levomikol or Parodontocyte is often used for restoration and accelerated regeneration.

Attention! Almost all of the above medications are over-the-counter, but the choice of a specific drug should only be made by a doctor. Particular care must be taken when using anesthetic dental gel for infants.

Gum massage during teething

Since drug treatment cannot be considered completely safe, you should try more moderate options first. We have already talked about one of them above - these are teethers. In addition to these, other measures can be taken. For example, switch to chilled food and drink. This will help reduce the discomfort a little.

Gentle gum massage will also be an effective solution. Be very careful, since your baby's gums are very delicate, if you overdo it, there is a risk of increasing the pain. Therefore, you should approach massage wisely and with balance. And most importantly, with full knowledge of the methodology.

The massage consists of three main stages:

Preparation.
If you decide that you will massage your gums with your finger, you need to trim your nails well, rinse thoroughly, and disinfect. It is very important to get rid of any dirt on your hand. But since this is quite difficult, there is a simpler and more convenient option - use special finger pads or napkins. They can not only massage your gums, but also gently clean your first teeth of food debris. Wet wipes "ASEPTA BABY" from 0 to 3 years help reduce pain during teething, effectively cleanse the oral cavity of food debris, and reduce the risk of inflammation. Each napkin is individually packaged; when using, you do not need to rinse your mouth with water. So you can have a massage not only at home, if necessary. Place the napkin on your finger, now you can proceed directly to the massage itself.
Massage.
Both infants and older children need to move massage movements from the edges of the disturbing areas to the site of eruption. Lightly rub the gums, stroke or apply a little pressure. All these movements can be combined. Watch your baby's reaction and choose the option he likes best. You don’t have to worry that you won’t be able to reach all the places; the soft fibers of the finger napkin will help you massage hard-to-reach areas. Remember that the procedure should be carried out only where the roots of the teeth are. There is no need to massage the eruption site itself, as this can worsen the child’s condition, cause discomfort and make it difficult for the tooth to emerge.
Hygiene.
As early as six months, you can accustom your child to the need for daily oral care. At this time, it is already recommended to use a special children's brush instead of a finger napkin, as well as toothpastes intended for children. For example, ASEPTA BABY paste, made on the basis of plant extracts. This product does not contain resin or abrasive substances, so it is excellent for newly erupted baby teeth that are still fragile. The paste has a pleasant taste, which will make the cleaning process more enjoyable. At first, watch the cleaning, and when the child grows up, he can do everything on his own.

Teething massage is an effective procedure that can not only reduce discomfort, but also reduce the use of medications. But it is very important to be extremely careful when performing a massage, both for infants and older children. Babies' gums are much more tender than those of adults. But if you do everything correctly, then after a fairly short time you will notice that the baby has become more comfortable, he has calmed down, and the teething itself is faster and easier.

Comprehensive periodontal treatment

Therapy for periodontal diseases is long and complex. The process of destruction of the tissues surrounding the tooth has already begun, and ointment for strengthening the gums or preparations with a gel structure are effective to strengthen them. Depending on the condition of the oral cavity, ointments are prescribed:

Heparin. Slows down blood clotting, normalizing microcirculation. The benzocaine it contains provides pain relief. Apply by appliqué.
Levomekol. Heals wounds, relieves inflammation. It is also applied as applications, as it is poorly absorbed by the mucous membrane.
Troxevasin/Troxerutin. A gel-based anti-inflammatory medication with venotonic, angioprotective (improves blood flow and metabolism) and anti-edema effects. Strengthens the walls of capillaries and increases their elasticity.
Asepta. Antiseptic ointment with propolis containing chlorhexidine and metronidazole to fight infections. Contains coenzyme Q10, so it adheres well to the gums without being washed off by saliva. Antimicrobial, antipruritic, analgesic agent accelerates epithelial regeneration and improves metabolic processes.
Cryogel. Also, for strengthening, with an antimicrobial and drainage effect, it is placed in the periodontal pocket.

Most of them are dispensed from pharmacies without a prescription and have no special contraindications or adverse reactions. But they must be prescribed by a dentist, in accordance with the clinical picture.

What to prepare for rinsing gums at home?

Chamomile

A powerful natural antiseptic used to eliminate inflammation. Among herbs for rinsing gums, chamomile occupies a leading place.

How to use:

Pour 1 tablespoon into a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 40 minutes and rinse 3 times a day after meals.

Oak bark

Oak bark is an indispensable rinse for gums. Has an astringent and hemostatic effect.

How to use:

Pour 3 tablespoons of bark into a glass of boiling water, keep in a water bath for half an hour, strain, bring the volume to 200 milliliters with boiled water and rinse 5 times a day after meals.

Sage

Rinsing with sage has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.

How to use:

Pour 200 milliliters of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of leaves, leave for 40 minutes, rinse 3 times a day after meals.

Baking soda

A baking soda rinse for gums reduces pain and promotes healing.

How to use:

1 teaspoon per glass of boiled water. If your gums are inflamed, rinsing with soda should be done after eating, after brushing your teeth. Use immediately, do not store!

Salt

Rinsing gums with salt has a disinfecting effect.

How to use:

1 teaspoon of salt per 1 glass of boiled water. To enhance the medicinal effect, it is best to rinse with salt and soda at the same time!

5% iodine solution

Has an antimicrobial effect.

How to use:

To rinse your gums with iodine, one drop per glass of boiled water is enough. It is better if it is lightly salted, for example, sea salt.

Propolis

The waste product of bees relieves pain well and heals wounds.

How to use:

Propolis for rinsing gums is used in the form of an alcohol tincture: 30 drops per 1 glass of boiled water, rinse 3 times a day after meals.

If you don’t have time to brew herbs, you can just as easily use pharmaceutical alcohol tinctures made from them to rinse your gums.

Rules of application

In order for medications to have the necessary effect, before using them you need to brush your teeth, rinse and dry your mouth thoroughly, and wash your hands with soap. Apply gels and ointments with your finger, rubbing them into the mucous membrane with a light massaging movement. After this, you should not drink or eat for half an hour. The duration of the therapeutic course is determined by the attending dentist, but usually until the inflammatory and other symptoms disappear.

For preventive purposes, you can use herbal preparations and rinsing solutions. Toothpastes that have proven their effectiveness and are recommended by professionals are useful: Lakalut, Paradontax, President. They should be used for prevention for a month, and then take a break.

Expert opinion . Even the best toothpastes are only preventive measures; they can promote healing, but are not a cure, so if any dental ailments appear, you should consult a doctor, and not try to eliminate them with home recipes: they still won’t help, and any disease will is much more treatable in the initial stages.

How to choose medications for gum disease in adults

Medicines for gum inflammation and the duration of their use can only be recommended by a periodontist based on an examination of a particular patient.

In the early stages of the disease, professional cleaning and the use of topical antiseptics may be sufficient to relieve symptoms. Metronidazole tablets are also sometimes used. To improve regeneration, local use of Solcoseryl, a propolis solution, may be indicated.

If gum inflammation has spread throughout the oral cavity, the patient feels unwell, and a general blood test shows signs of inflammation, a course of antibiotics is prescribed. Immunostimulants, vitamins and agents for restoring microflora are also used.

Where can I buy

Traditional herbal medicine puts forward high quality medicinal raw materials as the main requirement for independent production of medicines. High-quality folk remedies in finished form, as well as ingredients for their preparation, are offered by the Russian Roots online store. Delivery of ordered goods in Moscow and the Moscow region is carried out by couriers, and in other regions by mail. You can also purchase the required product in our herbal pharmacies in Moscow.

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