Should gingivitis be treated with hot compresses or cold compresses?

Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
Updated on September 13, 2024
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When patients experience gingivitis, this condition is generally related to inflammation within the body, a prolonged habit of poor diet leading to decreased immune function, resulting in inflammation of the gums. When gingivitis occurs, since it involves inflammation, it is generally recommended to apply cold compresses to relieve the pain somewhat; one should definitely not apply hot compresses as they might increase the local inflammation. It is advised that patients undergo appropriate medical treatment. They can take some anti-inflammatory drugs orally, such as Metronidazole or Tinidazole, or a combination with antibiotic anti-inflammatory drugs. If the pain is severe, one can also use antipyretic analgesics to alleviate local tooth pain. Most importantly, patients should develop good dietary and lifestyle habits.

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Can I eat mutton with gingivitis?

When patients have gingivitis, it is generally advised not to eat lamb. Because lamb is considered a heat-inducing food, and the inflammation in the patient's body is often caused by excessive internal heat. Eating lamb in such cases could potentially exacerbate the condition, making the symptoms more severe. It is suggested that patients can eat some chicken, duck, or fish instead, as these high-quality protein sources are good choices for the body. Additionally, it is important to keep the diet light and avoid spicy and irritating foods. Try to avoid foods that can cause internal heat, such as lychee or durian, which are considered heat-inducing fruits. It's appropriate to consume some kiwi and dragon fruit, which can provide a substantial amount of vitamins and also help in the repair of teeth.

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong
Internal Medicine
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Symptoms of gingivitis

Gingivitis is a common and frequently occurring disease. If it is not treated in time, it can lead to pulpitis, periodontitis, and even cause dental pain, necrosis, tooth loosening, and loss. When gingivitis occurs, the gingival tissues exhibit vascular congestion, leading to a change in the color of the gums from normal pink to dark red or purplish red. Additionally, symptoms of gingivitis include edema and a change in the appearance of the gums, which become looser and do not adhere tightly to the teeth. There may also be pain, increased fragility of the gums, and spontaneous bleeding, particularly noticeable during brushing and when biting hard objects.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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What should I do if I have gingivitis?

Gingivitis is characterized by symptoms such as bleeding while eating or brushing teeth. Sometimes, bloodstains may be found on the pillow upon waking up, which are also signs of gingivitis. Gingivitis can sometimes cause pain while eating, necessitating timely and thorough treatment, which includes both initial and maintenance phases. The initial treatment involves removing irritants around the teeth, including tartar, dental plaque, or soft deposits around the gums, followed by medicated rinsing. After controlling gingivitis, it is necessary to enter a regular maintenance phase with check-ups every six months, and any existing tartar should be promptly removed.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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The difference between periodontitis and gingivitis

Periodontitis and gingivitis have essential differences. Gingivitis is the early stage of periodontitis. Both gingivitis and periodontitis involve the formation of periodontal pockets, but the pockets in gingivitis are pseudo pockets, caused by inflammation of the gums which leads to the local proliferation or swelling of the gums, enveloping part of the tooth crown. In contrast, the periodontal pockets in periodontitis are true pockets, caused by the resorption of the alveolar bone, a condition that accompanies the loss of alveolar bone. Therefore, the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis lies in whether there is bone loss or not.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Why does gingivitis cause the gaps between teeth to become bigger?

If the patient has gingivitis, prolonged gingivitis is subject to chronic inflammatory stimulation, which can lead to the atrophy of gum tissue and is harmful to the health of the gum tissue. When gum tissue begins to atrophy, gaps between teeth may become larger. Therefore, it is advised for patients to maintain good oral hygiene daily to prevent chronic gingivitis from adversely affecting oral health. Furthermore, if gaps between teeth enlarge, prolonged development may lead to tooth loosening or loss. Hence, patients must pay attention to oral hygiene, rinse their mouth promptly after meals to remove food debris, and regularly get their teeth cleaned to remove tartar and plaque, which is beneficial for oral health.