There does seem to be a number of people (like i) that get this sometimes.
I must say though that I describe it as an itch as it's the closest possible known sensation (for me) than i can relate it to. But for me it's not an itch so to speak. It's a feeling where my gums feel a certain numbness, but a numbness that you can't ignore. I feel like i need to itch my gums to get through the numbness so i can feel them, even though that feeling is pain. It's like a pain that i like. The pain, obviously albeit painful, is more pleasant that the numbness.
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I must say though that I describe it as an itch as it's the closest possible known sensation (for me) than i can relate it to. But for me it's not an itch so to speak. It's a feeling where my gums feel a certain numbness, but a numbness that you can't ignore. I feel like i need to itch my gums to get through the numbness so i can feel them, even though that feeling is pain. It's like a pain that i like. The pain, obviously albeit painful, is more pleasant that the numbness.
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Chewing gum helps!!! :-D
Well i have had this itching sensation on my gumline at my front teeth for about 1 year now. It comes and goes for me, it can come for about a week and go, only to be back in another 3-4 weeks. It nearly drives me mad. I have tried listerine, brushing constantly, and flossing but nothing works. I just dont get it, i hope someone with a remedy comes up real soon
Every two to four weeks I start feeling itching in my gums: not on the surface, but on the inside, at the center or core where my teeth are. This feeling isn't localized to any one or even a few teeth, although it's more intense along the molars and rear teeth. It will start very gently and then a day or two later increase to a level at which it's hard to concentrate on everyday tasks.
When that happens, I use a toothpick holder a dentist gave me: I break off 1/3 of a toothpick and use this device to hold it so I can scrape along my gums close to where they meet the teeth (front and back). I spend about 20 minutes at this; I try not to draw blood, but sometimes the toothpick comes away with a little red on it. At the end, the itching isn't gone, but seems reduced (or maybe the pain from the scraping interferes with the itching). Then I take a small pellet-sized piece of paper tissue, hold it between each pair of top/bottom teeth one at a time, bite down, and rotate my jaws to effectively wiggle the teeth back and forth. Within a few hours, the itching will be effectively gone until 2-4 weeks later.
This has been going on for about 20 years. It seems to be causing some premature gum recession, but nothing that alarms my dentist. I am male, age 41. I did not have braces when I was a child.
I will add that I have quit smoking several times. Whenever I do, and all my nerve endings are growing back, I notice a similar sort of "deep" itching in other areas of my body (solar plexus, head, and others). During these times, the gum-itching is out of control, too.
I notice that the itching is worse when I'm hungry, and better once I've eaten. Chewing gum does help temporarily. I exercise aerobically for an hour at a time, three times a week. The itching seems more likely to flare up when I skip exercise sessions; keeping on my routine helps keep it under control.
When that happens, I use a toothpick holder a dentist gave me: I break off 1/3 of a toothpick and use this device to hold it so I can scrape along my gums close to where they meet the teeth (front and back). I spend about 20 minutes at this; I try not to draw blood, but sometimes the toothpick comes away with a little red on it. At the end, the itching isn't gone, but seems reduced (or maybe the pain from the scraping interferes with the itching). Then I take a small pellet-sized piece of paper tissue, hold it between each pair of top/bottom teeth one at a time, bite down, and rotate my jaws to effectively wiggle the teeth back and forth. Within a few hours, the itching will be effectively gone until 2-4 weeks later.
This has been going on for about 20 years. It seems to be causing some premature gum recession, but nothing that alarms my dentist. I am male, age 41. I did not have braces when I was a child.
I will add that I have quit smoking several times. Whenever I do, and all my nerve endings are growing back, I notice a similar sort of "deep" itching in other areas of my body (solar plexus, head, and others). During these times, the gum-itching is out of control, too.
I notice that the itching is worse when I'm hungry, and better once I've eaten. Chewing gum does help temporarily. I exercise aerobically for an hour at a time, three times a week. The itching seems more likely to flare up when I skip exercise sessions; keeping on my routine helps keep it under control.
I too have this itching I feel sometimes it makes me crazy. Does everyone with itching also have allergies? I take zertec.
I'm not so alone :o . Out of curiosity, I googled "flossing scratching itch" and I found this! For as long as I can remember I've had "itchy gums". It's not something I'm constantly aware of, but it's DEFINITELY evident when I do things like brush my teeth, floss, or chew gum (and other random times that I decide to prod at my teeth). My "itch" is focused between my premolars (the two teeth behind my canines) on both sides. (between teeth 12&13, and between 4&5). Right in between. Once I'm aware of the itch, I can't help but incessantly jab at the little triangle of gum flesh sticking between my teeth. I usually try to avoid drawing blood, but... it happens.
I too have always had a squeaky clean dental bill of health. But I've always had allergies (grass, dogs/cats, hayfever, pollen.. you name it). Asthma as well. My allergies are a constant thing- I've been told I may have nasal polyps. In response to the last poster, I've been taking Zyrtec since elementary school on and off, and a ton of similar meds. I'm 22 now. -sigh-
My preferred methods have been poking (ouch!), keeping a string of floss between the sets of teeth and pulling at it, & I almost laughed when I read this:
because I've constantly bitten tagger tails in half and slid them between my teeth like dental floss. Plus when you bite down it gives the best sensation- hands free itch relief! That's right- I managed to mess with my teeth during class, watching movies, driving- AND with minimal effort.
My mom has said she gets the same sensation (in a different place), so I never really thought of it as odd until talking to others (Because I'm not weird enough already... ). I've mainly endured the annoyance (and bittersweet relief). Anyway, sorry for the long post, but after reading all these, I think I'll definitely ask my dentist next time I'm there to see what his opinion is.
I too have always had a squeaky clean dental bill of health. But I've always had allergies (grass, dogs/cats, hayfever, pollen.. you name it). Asthma as well. My allergies are a constant thing- I've been told I may have nasal polyps. In response to the last poster, I've been taking Zyrtec since elementary school on and off, and a ton of similar meds. I'm 22 now. -sigh-
My preferred methods have been poking (ouch!), keeping a string of floss between the sets of teeth and pulling at it, & I almost laughed when I read this:
because I've constantly bitten tagger tails in half and slid them between my teeth like dental floss. Plus when you bite down it gives the best sensation- hands free itch relief! That's right- I managed to mess with my teeth during class, watching movies, driving- AND with minimal effort.
My mom has said she gets the same sensation (in a different place), so I never really thought of it as odd until talking to others (Because I'm not weird enough already... ). I've mainly endured the annoyance (and bittersweet relief). Anyway, sorry for the long post, but after reading all these, I think I'll definitely ask my dentist next time I'm there to see what his opinion is.
I get this occasionally - It's currently been bothering me for the last few days. Some things that have been said here I can relate to, for example it sometimes comes on after intense exercise. For me it's in the lower front teeth, and particularly between 22 and 23. Right now I feel like I want to pull those teeth out, but I suspect it wouldn't actually help.
I don't scratch my gums - it wouldn't help, because the itchy sensation is deep down inside the gum. The itch is often triggered when I get something stuck between my teeth, but then can persist afterwards. Flossing helps temporarily and I feel like I want to lever the teeth apart from each other on either side of the locus of the itch (those lower front teeth of mine are particularly crowded, with one having grown sideways).
Something which no-one else seems to have said - the sensation come and goes, but when it's coming it seems to be enhanced by coffee and particularly red bull (so maybe caffeine).
I don't scratch my gums - it wouldn't help, because the itchy sensation is deep down inside the gum. The itch is often triggered when I get something stuck between my teeth, but then can persist afterwards. Flossing helps temporarily and I feel like I want to lever the teeth apart from each other on either side of the locus of the itch (those lower front teeth of mine are particularly crowded, with one having grown sideways).
Something which no-one else seems to have said - the sensation come and goes, but when it's coming it seems to be enhanced by coffee and particularly red bull (so maybe caffeine).
I have itchy gums too. It's focused on the bottom front 4 teeth. Been to numerous dentists and 2 different neurologists. Many x-rays done but nothing shows up. Nobody knows what's the problem. It started about 2 years ago. The last neurologist recommended regular weekly visits to an atlas orthogonist which I tried for several months but without any improvement. Now she's suggesting bio feedback so I can learn to ignore the feeling. It's been very annoying and distracting. I poke with my fingernail and floss, chew gum. I find if I wear a dental guard to bed it helps in ignoring the feeling. Even try crunching on stuff like Doritos cause it helps a little. This is crazy. First neurologist said it was trigeminal neuralgia (which is an awful disorder) but the other 2 neurologists said it's not because that condition is painful and only on one the side of the face. This is just in front and not painful just terribly itchy. I eat healthy, work out often and take a lot of vitamins. Could it be a food allergy? Vitamin related? Stress related? I need help with this. Can't bear it being a permanent thing.
I can not get over this!! I also have ONE tooth that almost constantly itches! This has been going on for about a year now. My husband is constantly telling me to keep my hands out of my mouth becasuse i have to itch this one tooth. I have very good teeth and my dentist also says there is nothing wrong. I fee like it is driving me crazy sometimes! I would love for someone to tell me what is wrong. It is above one of my eye teeth and it is JUST THIS ONE TOOTH. I brush and floss daily and have since i was a child. I have always seen my dentist regularly since I was only 5.
Have had itching gums forever. Background: 50 years old, male, wore braces, no drugs, athletically active, no significant medical issues but had periodontic surgery 30 years ago to treat my gums. My latest dentist thought this could be an allergic reaction to SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate) in toothpaste so I have been using SLS free toothpaste (Natural Dentist, some Tom's brands) for over a year and find improvement but is no panacea. I also feel better for many weeks after a dental cleaning.
One topic I don't see raised in these postings is I find that poking my gums will make me very tired - I have to be particularly careful when driving late at night as my gums may go sceaming but I know if I jab them I might fall asleep at the wheel. Anyone else find this?
One topic I don't see raised in these postings is I find that poking my gums will make me very tired - I have to be particularly careful when driving late at night as my gums may go sceaming but I know if I jab them I might fall asleep at the wheel. Anyone else find this?
I have the same problem. I just want to cut my gums with a razor or something sharp! How come dentist don't know about this and dont' have a solution?!!?!? I've been to many dentist and they laugh when I say I have itchy gums! I'm glad there are others who know what I'm talking about. Now I have to find a solution!
I get itchy gums every once in a while too! it happens mostly when I have a cold - you know...the ones with all the sniffling- and my gums around my eye teeth get to be unbearable itchy. I poke at them a lot to try and scratch them but I end up just toughing it out because nothing works. This thread really helped :-) because I didn't know what it was but I think its that post nasal drip thing.
I am having this problem. Just really developed in the beginning of March. They think it is candida. I also have fluid in my left ear. Will see Ent. It is not fun. I am trying the candida diet. How are you doing wit the problem. Did you get any answers. ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed **
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Thank you Joan Koehler.
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Thank you Joan Koehler.
Im sitting here laughing to tears, both of happiness to find out Im not a complete freak and because you guys are all so funny.
Let's get organized people, let's find a solution! So far from all the postings, I've gathered the following common characteristics/comments:
1. braces? Let's do a count, how many of us have had braces
2. Gender? I've heard this may be a hormonal thing? anybody else heard that itchy gums can be due to hormonal reasons?
3. Cold/Sinus.
4. Gum disease, Peridontal disease (not the same as gingivitis) Ha anyone seen a peridontist, not a dentist but a PERIDONTIST?
5. dry mouth? very interesting. People flaring after exercising? dehydrated? I am a notorios water-avoider. Could this be it?
I was convinced I had gum disease, and I've gotten a clean bill of health. My symptoms also began in chldhood. I almost think its an allergy. Starting today, I will make a log of all the food I consume on the day before and on the day I experience these flares of itchiness. I am starting to believe that if we all make a list, we may be able to find the allergent causing these evil attacks from hell. Help. I will share my results. Today is obviously a bad day, yesterday too. I am logging my diet, and activities for these days until I find a common thing in my log. Hopefully I can find whatever is triggering this! good luck. I feel like I know you all, my freak friends.
Also, has anyone ever directed a dentist to this site. Somone could be making millions. Can you imagine how many of us are out there, experiencing the same issue? For the last 34 years, I thought I was alone. Someone needs to find a cure. I will buy it!!!:)