The earliest stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis and gum disease can lead to tooth loss. You can treat gingivitis easily at your home, so you should not be worried about this condition. Some symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen, and inflamed gums which may bleed when a person brushes his teeth. Gingivitis is a very common condition, despite the fact it is preventable. Gingivitis happens when the plaque (which is a sticky film made of bacteria) builds up on your teeth because of the starches and sugars in your food.
If it stays on your teeth longer than a few days, then it can harden under your gums and it can form a substance called tartar. As time passes, this can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, so you may need your dentist to clean your teeth to prevent serious problems. Home remedies can help you to deal with your gingivitis. It has been shown that natural remedies can be really effective, especially if you are able to take a sample of bacteria that is under your gums and use treatments that are specific to that bacteria.
If you have severe tooth pain, extremely swollen or inflamed gums, gums that bleed a lot, and extremely bad breath, then talk with your doctor as soon as possible. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from gingivitis before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies, so in this way, you can avoid possible side effects.
Here are some home remedies for gingivitis:
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Turmeric:
One study done in 2015 was shown that turmeric gel can help effectively to prevent plaque and gingivitis. This is possible due to the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric. Also, turmeric has antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. It can help with the treatment of reddening and bleeding of the gums. You can use turmeric gel as your home remedy for gingivitis.
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric, so you can use it as your home remedy too. If you are allergic to turmeric, then do not use it as your home remedy for gingivitis. You should brush your teeth and rinse them thoroughly. Then, apply this gel to your gums and let the gel sit for ten minutes. Then, swish the water around your mouth to collect all of the gel. Then, spit the water out and repeat two times per day.
Clove:
There needs to be done a lot more studies in the future, but several studies were shown that clove has the potential to prevent plaque and reduce inflammation. This is because clove has antioxidant and antiviral properties which can help you to get relief from the pain. You can apply cloves topically as your home treatment for gingivitis. You should mince about one teaspoon of cloves and then dip a damp cotton ball into the minced cloves, getting as much as you can onto the cotton ball.
Then, you need to gently rub the clove–covered cotton ball onto your gums and let the cloves sit on your gums for about a minute. Then, swish the water around your mouth to collect all of the cloves and spit the clove water out. You should not use the clove in large quantities or for long periods of time.
Coconut oil pulling:
Coconut oil has lauric acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In one study done in 2015 was found that using coconut oil pulling significantly can reduce the plaque and signs of gingivitis. Coconut oil pulling has other benefits too, like clear sinuses, relieving headaches and tension, freshening breath, and whitening teeth. You need to put one to two teaspoons of fractioned coconut oil (which is liquid at room temperature) into your mouth and swish the oil around your mouth for 20 – 30 minutes.
But, you need to be careful not to let the oil touch the back of your throat. You need to spit the oil out after the time is up and rinse your mouth with water. Then, spit the water out and drink a full glass of water. Then, brush your teeth. This type of natural treatment is safe to practice. You should be careful not to swallow the liquid because it has toxins and bacteria pulled from the tissue in your mouth.
It is okay to swish the oil around for a smaller amount of time until you are able to tolerate 20 minutes of swishing. Some people find it helpful to swish several times per day for shorter sessions.
Guava leaf mouthwash:
Guava leaves are used for a long period in traditional history to manage oral hygiene. Many studies are shown that it has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which have a positive effect on controlling plaque. Also, guava leaf mouthwash can freshen breath, relieve pain and reduce gum inflammation. You need to crush 5 – 6 tender guava leaves with a mortar and pestle. Then, add the crushed leaves to one cup of boiling water.
You need to simmer for 15 minutes and allow this home remedy to cool and add a small amount of salt. Then, swish the lukewarm mouthwash in your mouth for up to thirty seconds. Then, spit out the solution and repeat 2 – 3 times per day.
Sage mouthwash:
In one study done in 2015 was found that sage mouthwash can help to lower the bacteria that cause dental plaque. The participants in this study were able to rinse with the solution for up to 60 seconds without experiencing any irritation. You should boil one to two cups of water and then add two tablespoons of fresh sage or one teaspoon of dried sage to the water. Then, let it simmer for up to 5 – 10 minutes.
Then, let it strain and let the water cool. You need to use this home remedy to rinse two to three times per day. This home remedy has anti-inflammatory properties which can help to heal swollen gums and treat the infection.
Tea tree oil mouthwash:
One study done in 2014 was shown that the tea tree oil mouthwash can help significantly reduce gingival bleeding. You should add up to three drops of tea tree oil in a cup of warm water and then swish this home remedy in your mouth for up to thirty seconds. Then, spit out this home remedy and repeat it 2 – 3 times per day.
Also, you may want to add a drop of tea tree oil to your toothpaste when you are brushing your teeth. When you are trying the tea tree oil for the first time, then you need to use a highly diluted amount. High concentrations of this oil can cause mild burning, rash, and an allergic reaction. Also, the tea tree oil can cause interactions with herbs, dietary supplements, and certain drugs.
Aloe Vera mouthwash:
One study done in 2016 was shown that the Aloe Vera is very effective just as chlorhexidine in reducing gingivitis and plaque. Both methods can significantly reduce the symptoms of gingivitis. Aloe Vera juice does not need to be diluted like other mouthwash options. Before you use the Aloe Vera juice, you should be sure that it is 100% pure.
You need to swish the Aloe Vera juice in your mouth for thirty seconds and then spit out this home remedy. You need to repeat this natural treatment 2 – 3 times per day. If you have an allergic reaction to Aloe Vera gel or juice, then you should not use this home remedy.
Lemongrass oil mouthwash:
One study done in 2015 was shown that lemongrass oil is more effective than the traditional chlorhexidine mouthwash because it can help to reduce plaque and gingivitis levels. You should dilute two to three drops of lemongrass essential oil in a cup of water and then swish this home remedy in your mouth for up to thirty seconds. Then, spit out the solution and repeat it two 2 to 3 times per day. Generally, this home remedy is safe to use, but it is very potent. You should always start with a highly diluted mixture so that it will not cause you further irritation.
Green tea:
This is one of the most effective home remedies which you can use to treat gingivitis. You can regularly sip on green tea, so it will help you in the natural treatment of gingivitis. This home remedy has antioxidants that can help to reduce inflammation and it can counteract the body’s inflammatory response to bacteria in the mouth.
Saltwater:
There was one study done in 2016 in which it said that the saltwater rinse can be very beneficial for healing gums that are inflamed by gingivitis. We know that salt is a natural disinfectant and it can help the body to heal itself. Also, saltwater can help you to get relief from the bad breath, remove particles of food, reduce bacteria, help ease pain and soothe your inflamed gums.
You need to add one–half to three–quarters of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and mix it well. Then, swish this natural treatment in your mouth for up to 30 seconds and spit out this home remedy. You need to repeat it two to three times per day.
References:
What is Gingivitis? And How to Treat Gingivitis Naturally. https://www.dentalherb.com/blog/what-is-gingivitis/ .
Four effective gingivitis home remedies. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319268 . Published September 6, 2017
10 Gingivitis Home Remedies That Actually Work. https://www.readersdigest.ca/health/conditions/gingivitis-home-remedies/ . Published December 3, 2019
- Gingivitis: Natural Remedies You Can Find in Your Kitchen. https://www.india.com/lifestyle/gingivitis-natural-remedies-you-can-find-in-your-kitchen-3621130/ . Published April 4, 2019
