I will say up front that I have been to a dentist and I have an appointment with a periodontist on September 23rd. I am looking for suggestions as what to do in the meantime.
Background information: For the past month (approximately), I have been experiencing a dull pain in the gums surrounding my back two molars on the lower left side of my mouth. This pain increased significantly after having a filling done on that side, but I am not sure if that relates. Anyway, since then it has been very difficult to floss and brush the area without extreme pain (though I have been doing so anyway). I have not been finding that the area is bleeding when I am flossing or brushing (and I am using proper technique), though my dentist mentioned that there was some bleeding when he used the probe to measure pocket depth around those teeth. The pain is most severe after flossing, but I have found that eating on that side causes slight discomfort and drinking water (or any liquid that kind of swishes around) also causes some pain.
I decided to go to the dentist after a month of very regular brushing and flossing. He visually and manually expected the area, used the periodontal probe and revealed that there were slightly deeper pockets in the area and that the gums appeared to be inflamed. They also took an x-ray and didn't say one way or the other whether it revealed anything. In the end, he said that "something" is obviously going on and that my gums are inflamed, so he would feel more comfortable if I saw a specialist, As I mentioned, this appointment is on the 23rd of September.
I am looking for suggestions as to things I can do to either help the gums heal or at very least reduce the pain I am experiencing until I am able to go to the specialist. I have been flossing at least once a day and brushing after each meal, and using an antibacterial, alcohol-free mouthwash (Oral-B). When the pain is very severe (usually at night after flossing), I will occasionally use orajel.
Is there anything else I can do to help soothe or preferably heal the affected area? Responses from professionals or people who have had gum problems in the past would be very much appreciated!
Background information: For the past month (approximately), I have been experiencing a dull pain in the gums surrounding my back two molars on the lower left side of my mouth. This pain increased significantly after having a filling done on that side, but I am not sure if that relates. Anyway, since then it has been very difficult to floss and brush the area without extreme pain (though I have been doing so anyway). I have not been finding that the area is bleeding when I am flossing or brushing (and I am using proper technique), though my dentist mentioned that there was some bleeding when he used the probe to measure pocket depth around those teeth. The pain is most severe after flossing, but I have found that eating on that side causes slight discomfort and drinking water (or any liquid that kind of swishes around) also causes some pain.
I decided to go to the dentist after a month of very regular brushing and flossing. He visually and manually expected the area, used the periodontal probe and revealed that there were slightly deeper pockets in the area and that the gums appeared to be inflamed. They also took an x-ray and didn't say one way or the other whether it revealed anything. In the end, he said that "something" is obviously going on and that my gums are inflamed, so he would feel more comfortable if I saw a specialist, As I mentioned, this appointment is on the 23rd of September.
I am looking for suggestions as to things I can do to either help the gums heal or at very least reduce the pain I am experiencing until I am able to go to the specialist. I have been flossing at least once a day and brushing after each meal, and using an antibacterial, alcohol-free mouthwash (Oral-B). When the pain is very severe (usually at night after flossing), I will occasionally use orajel.
Is there anything else I can do to help soothe or preferably heal the affected area? Responses from professionals or people who have had gum problems in the past would be very much appreciated!