Before you attempt to treat itchy gums, you should first try to find the cause of the symptoms by consulting a dentist. Some of the primary causes of gum problems include an allergic reaction to food or medication, gingivitis, and periodontitis. There are various ways to treat causes of itchy gums including home remedies, various non-surgical treatments, laser therapy, and periodontal surgery. The treatment may vary depending on the severity of the infection and mild cases generally heal quickly without invasive procedures. More intense cases of itchy gums may require extensive and repetitive treatment.
Mild allergic reactions to food or medication can often be resolved by the use of home remedies. Gargling with lukewarm saltwater or anti-bacterial mouthwash may relieve discomfort and gradually repair the gum area. Other home remedies include using various oils to treat gum problems including peppermint, clove, or sage oil. Some of these oils can be found in toothpastes, which may be a less potent treatment than rubbing oil directly on the gums. These remedies sometimes work instantly, or you may need to repeat treatment several times.
Gingivitis is often treated with non-surgical methods including a dental cleaning; this helps by removing the excessive plaque that can cause itchy gums. Other methods include scaling and root planing which is the in-depth removal of plaque from periodontal pockets and the removal of bacterial toxins on the root. Laser therapy is a less invasive form of scaling and root planing that is performed throughout several sessions with a laser. Most of these treatments should be repeated at least twice a year to prevent the recurrence of diseases that cause itchy gums.
Periodontal surgery is primarily used when gingivitis goes untreated and becomes periodontitis. The most common types of surgery used for this disease may include soft tissue grafts, pocket reduction, and regenerative procedures. Soft tissue grafts are generally used on patients who have receding gums and the tissue around the root is generally replaced by tissue from the pallet of the mouth. Pocket reduction surgery involves folding the tissue of the gums, removing excess bacteria, and reattaching the tissue to prevent the pockets from deepening. Regenerative procedures also involve folding the gums back and cleaning bacteria but afterwards tissue-stimulating proteins are administered to promote tissue regeneration.
Although surgery is generally used for extreme cases of gum disease, it ultimately relieves itchy gums and other symptoms associated with disease. Home remedies should not be administered until you have consulted with a dentist and are assured that there is no sign of serious gum disease. If caught in time, most gum problems are generally treated with non-surgical procedures.