I've tried aloe gel before, and yeah, it's gentle, but honestly it didn't really help much with the soreness. Saltwater rinses sting a bit at first, but after a couple days they seemed way more effective for me...maybe worth the initial discomfort?
I totally get where you're coming from with the aloe gel. It feels soothing at first, but honestly, it never really did much for my soreness either. Saltwater rinses were definitely a game changer for me, even though those first couple rinses were pretty rough—I remember standing at the sink thinking, "Seriously, is this worth it?" But after a few days, the difference was noticeable enough that I stuck with it.
One thing that helped me was starting with lukewarm water instead of cold or hot. Somehow that seemed to lessen the sting a bit. Also, don't make it too salty—just a pinch or two in a cup of water is plenty. Too much salt and you're basically torturing yourself (been there, not fun). If you're still struggling, maybe alternating between saltwater rinses and a gentle OTC numbing gel could give you the best of both worlds. Hope your gums feel better soon... sensitive gums are no joke.
Totally relate about the aloe gel—not much luck with it myself. Saltwater rinses were helpful for me too, but honestly, what really made a difference was switching to a super soft-bristle toothbrush. I didn't realize how much my old brush was irritating my gums until I swapped it out. Also, gently massaging the gums with my finger after brushing seemed to ease the soreness a bit... might be worth trying if you're still struggling. Hope things improve soon, sensitive gums can really wear you down.
