Notifications
Clear all

[Closed] Sensitive Gums Driving Me Nuts—Saltwater Rinse or OTC Gel?

208 Posts
174 Users
0 Reactions
1,027 Views
Posts: 19
(@music_nate)
Eminent Member
Joined:

I feel you on the saltwater thing... took me ages to get used to it, and honestly, I still dread it sometimes. OTC gels helped ease my anxiety a bit—might be worth a shot. You're definitely not alone in this struggle.

Posts: 16
(@mobile793)
Eminent Member
Joined:

"I feel you on the saltwater thing... took me ages to get used to it, and honestly, I still dread it sometimes."

Totally relate to this. Saltwater rinses always made my gums feel better eventually, but man, the first few times were rough. I remember standing over the sink psyching myself up just to swish it around for 30 seconds. OTC gels were a lifesaver for me too—especially when my gums were extra sensitive. Hang in there, it does get easier with time... or at least more tolerable.

Posts: 8
(@melissaguitarist)
Active Member
Joined:

"I remember standing over the sink psyching myself up just to swish it around for 30 seconds."

Haha, this is exactly me. Saltwater rinses definitely help, but man, the taste and feeling took forever to get used to. I found that warming the water slightly made it a bit less shocking to my gums. OTC gels were decent too, but honestly, nothing beats the relief I got from switching to a softer toothbrush. Might be worth trying if you haven't already...

space_susan
Posts: 12
(@space_susan)
Active Member
Joined:

Totally relate to the toothbrush thing—switching to a softer brush made a huge difference for me too. Saltwater rinses are helpful, but honestly, I found them kinda harsh if my gums were already irritated. One thing that really helped me was using toothpaste specifically for sensitive gums. Took a week or two to notice, but it definitely calmed things down. Might be worth checking out if gels aren't cutting it...

Posts: 19
(@hunter_echo)
Eminent Member
Joined:

Interesting you're finding saltwater rinses harsh—I get where you're coming from, but in my experience, it's usually about the concentration. I've had patients who reported irritation from saltwater, and nine times out of ten, they're mixing it way too strong. A teaspoon of salt in a full cup of warm water is plenty, stronger isn't necessarily better and can actually make things worse.

Toothpaste for sensitive gums is a solid suggestion, but honestly, sometimes it's not enough on its own. I've seen good results when people pair it with an alcohol-free antimicrobial rinse—something gentle like CloSYS or even diluted hydrogen peroxide (just make sure it's properly diluted). Personally, I've found that combination tackles inflammation faster than toothpaste alone.

And yeah, soft brushes are a must. But also watch your technique—brushing gently at a 45-degree angle toward the gums rather than scrubbing horizontally makes a big difference. Seems minor, but you'd be surprised how many gum issues clear up just by tweaking brushing style a bit...

Page 27 / 42
Share: