I had a similar experience with aloe gel—tried it for about two weeks straight and honestly didn't see much improvement either. My dentist never mentioned aloe specifically, just recommended the usual salt rinses and OTC gels like yours did. Eventually, I went for a second opinion, and the new dentist suggested trying a toothpaste specifically for sensitive gums. Surprisingly, that helped more than anything else I'd tried before. Might be worth asking about alternatives next time you're in... everyone's gums seem to have their own weird preferences.
Interesting you mention sensitive toothpaste—I tried that too, but honestly didn't notice much difference. Weirdly enough, switching to a super soft-bristle toothbrush and brushing way gentler made the biggest impact for me. Guess gums really are picky...
Sensitive gums are such a pain, literally. Totally get what you're saying about the soft-bristle brush—made a huge difference for me too. Funny enough, I went through a whole dental drama myself before figuring that out. First I tried sensitive toothpaste (meh, didn't do much), then saltwater rinses (felt soothing but temporary), and finally those gels (sticky mess, not worth it). The real game-changer was actually changing how I brushed. Turns out I'd been scrubbing like I was cleaning grout off bathroom tiles... gentle circles, people, gentle circles.
Anyway, sounds like you're already on the right track. Gums really do have their own weird preferences—like they're the picky eaters of the mouth or something. Hang in there, it gets better once you find your combo.
"Turns out I'd been scrubbing like I was cleaning grout off bathroom tiles... gentle circles, people, gentle circles."
Haha, exactly my experience. Took me ages to realize brushing harder wasn't better—just more painful. You're definitely onto something with technique over products... patience pays off eventually.
Haha, been there myself—used to brush like I was sanding down furniture. Took me forever to realize that gentle circles and a soft-bristle brush were the real MVPs. Technique definitely beats brute force here. Also found that switching to a toothpaste specifically for sensitive gums helped a ton. Curious though, anyone tried electric toothbrushes? Heard mixed things about whether they're gentler or just hype...
