Gum Pain: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Gum pain, also known as gingivitis or periodontitis, is a condition characterized by inflammation and irritation of the gums, often caused by poor oral hygiene, bacterial infection, or underlying health conditions such as diabetes or vitamin deficiencies.

If left untreated, gum pain can lead to severe health issues, including tooth loss, bone degeneration, and cardiovascular disease. To alleviate gum pain, herbal remedies such as aloe vera, chamomile, and eucalyptus can be applied topically in the form of mouthwashes or toothpaste, while turmeric and ginger can be consumed as teas or supplements, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.

However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before using any medicinal herbs to avoid interactions with medications or exacerbating underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of gum pain, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of gum pain?

The main causes of gum pain are various and complex, involving both bacterial and non-bacterial factors.

Periodontal disease, caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar, is a primary cause of gum pain, leading to inflammation and infection of the gums. Additionally, gum recession, often due to aggressive tooth brushing or gum disease, exposes roots and causes pain. Other causes include tooth grinding or bruxism, which can lead to gum recession and pain, and gum irritation from mouthwashes, toothpaste, or dental materials.

Furthermore, systemic conditions such as diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, and hormonal changes can also contribute to gum pain and inflammation.

• Periodontitis: Periodontitis is the most common cause of gum pain, resulting from inflammation and infection of the gums and bone supporting the teeth, typically caused by poor oral hygiene and plaque buildup.
• Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a common cause of gum pain, characterized by inflammation and infection of the gums, often resulting from poor oral hygiene, plaque buildup, and tartar accumulation.
• Tooth Decay: Tooth decay is a common cause of gum pain, resulting from the demineralization of tooth enamel due to bacterial acid production, often caused by poor oral hygiene, infrequent brushing, and sugary diets.
• Gum Recession: Gum recession is a cause of gum pain, resulting from the exposure of the roots of the teeth due to gum loss, often caused by aggressive tooth brushing, gum disease, and genetics.
• Bleeding Gums: Bleeding gums are a cause of gum pain, resulting from inflammation and irritation of the gums, often caused by poor oral hygiene, plaque buildup, and gum disease.
• Tooth Sensitivity: Tooth sensitivity is a cause of gum pain, resulting from the exposure of the dentin of the teeth due to gum recession, often caused by aggressive tooth brushing, gum disease, and acidic diets.
• Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections are a cause of gum pain, resulting from the invasion of bacteria into the gums and surrounding tissues, often caused by poor oral hygiene, gum disease, and compromised immune systems.
• Viral Infections: Viral infections are a cause of gum pain, resulting from the invasion of viruses into the gums and surrounding tissues, often caused by compromised immune systems, herpes simplex virus, and hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes are a cause of gum pain, resulting from the fluctuations in hormone levels, often caused by pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies are a cause of gum pain, resulting from the lack of essential nutrients, often caused by inadequate diets, malabsorption, and gastrointestinal disorders.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for gum pain?

The main medicinal herbs used for gum pain are Zingiber officinale, Salvia officinalis, Mentha x piperita, Curcuma longa, Echinacea purpurea, Eucalyptus globulus, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Capsicum annuum, Aloe barbadensis, Cinchona officinalis.

Zingiber officinale contains gingerols and shogaols which exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, reducing pain and swelling. Salvia officinalis is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing plaque and preventing infection. Curcuma longa, or turmeric, contains curcumin which inhibits inflammatory cytokines and pain-causing enzymes, providing relief from gum pain.

Other herbs such as Mentha x piperita, Echinacea purpurea, Eucalyptus globulus, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Capsicum annuum, Aloe barbadensis and Cinchona officinalis also possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, contributing to the relief of gum pain.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale contains compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which help to reduce pain and inflammation associated with gum pain.
• Salvia officinalis: Salvia officinalis contains salvenolic acids that exhibit antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to combat gum infections and reduce inflammation.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita contains menthol and menthone, which have local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to numb and reduce pain in the gums.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa contains curcumin, a compound that exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to reduce inflammation and pain in the gums.
• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea contains alkylamides and caffeic acid derivatives that exhibit anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties, helping to combat infections and reduce inflammation associated with gum pain.
• Eucalyptus globulus: Eucalyptus globulus contains eucalyptol, a compound that exhibits antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to combat gum infections and reduce inflammation.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra contains glycyrrhizin, a compound that exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to reduce inflammation and pain in the gums.
• Capsicum annuum: Capsicum annuum contains capsaicin, a compound that exhibits analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce pain and inflammation in the gums.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis contains aloin and aloe-emodin, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, helping to reduce pain and inflammation in the gums.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis contains quinine, a compound that exhibits anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, helping to reduce pain and inflammation in the gums.

What are the main herbal preparations used for gum pain?

The main herbal preparations used for gum pain are Decoction, Salve, Tincture, Capsule, Topical Cream, Gel, Tea, Poultice, Suppository, Ointment.

Decoction involves steeping roots, bark, or other hard plant materials in boiling water to extract their active compounds, often used for inflammation and pain relief. Salves and Ointments are topical preparations, containing herbs like clove or eucalyptus, applied directly to the gum for localized relief. Tinctures, Capsules, and Suppositories contain concentrated herbal extracts, often used for systemic pain relief, while Topical Creams and Gels, like tea tree oil, provide additional moisturizing and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Herbal Teas, like peppermint, and Poultices, made from crushed herbs, may also be used to reduce gum pain and inflammation through their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Decoction: A decoction of Salvia officinalis (sage) helps with gum pain by releasing its bioactive compounds, which include flavonoids and phenolic acids, that have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling and ease discomfort in the gums.
• Salve: A salve made from Calendula officinalis (calendula) helps with gum pain by providing a protective barrier on the gum tissue, while its anti-inflammatory compounds, such as triterpenoids, reduce swelling and promote wound healing.
• Tincture: A tincture of Myrrh (Commiphora molmol) helps with gum pain by releasing its bioactive compounds, which include terpenoids and sesquiterpenes, that have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can reduce swelling and prevent infection in the gums.
• Capsule: A capsule containing Turmeric (Curcuma longa) helps with gum pain by releasing its bioactive compound, curcumin, which has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can reduce swelling and promote healing in the gums.
• Topical Cream: A topical cream made from Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) helps with gum pain by providing a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect on the gum tissue, while its bioactive compounds, such as aloin and aloe-emodin, reduce swelling and promote wound healing.
• Gel: A gel made from Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) helps with gum pain by releasing its bioactive compounds, which include flavonoids and phenolic acids, that have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that can reduce swelling and promote healing in the gums.
• Tea: A tea made from Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) helps with gum pain by releasing its bioactive compounds, which include glycyrrhizin and flavonoids, that have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can reduce swelling and ease discomfort in the gums.
• Poultice: A poultice made from Willow bark (Salix alba) helps with gum pain by releasing its bioactive compounds, which include salicin and flavonoids, that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can reduce swelling and ease discomfort in the gums.
• Suppository: A suppository made from Capsaicin (Capsicum annuum) helps with gum pain by releasing its bioactive compound, capsaicin, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce pain and swelling in the gums.
• Ointment: An ointment made from Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) helps with gum pain by releasing its bioactive compound, terpinen-4-ol, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent infection and reduce swelling in the gums.