Our home remedies for gingivitis are simple and effective ways of treating the early signs of gum disease. Experience healthy gums using only natural products.
Gingivitis signals the earliest stage of gum disease and several home remedies exist to help you treat it and its symptoms. Gingivitis can progress to severe gum disease, called periodontitis, if left untreated. This more serious form of the disease can lead to receding gums and tooth loss.
According to the CDC, 47% of Americans over the age of thirty suffer from some form of periodontitis. When combined with good oral hygiene and a low sugar diet, home remedies for gingivitis can stop gum disease from progressing into a more serious issue.
What is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums and is caused by a build-up of plaque and bacteria on the teeth. It can develop into an infection, cause gums to bleed, and can also be painful. The most common cause of gingivitis is inadequate dental hygiene but other factors do increase your risk of developing it. They include:
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Family history of gum disease
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Some medications – particularly those that affect saliva flow
- Oral contraceptives
If you do suffer from gum disease, it is important to visit your dentist. The following home remedies for gingivitis are not intended to replace any forms of professional input and should instead complement them. If you are experiencing gingivitis, here are a few easy solutions you can try at home.
1. Make Yourself a Magic Mouthwash
There are several options when it comes to ingredients for a home mouthwash remedy for gingivitis. Salt water is a simple way to start or pure aloe vera juice can also be effective. Alternatively, you might want to try a more advanced option. Several essential oils can bring a host of relief and healing properties to your inflamed gums.
Top Essential Oils:
- Lemongrass oil has been found to be as effective as the alcohol-based chlorhexidine mouthwashes available in pharmacies.
- Clove oil possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties and has been used for centuries as a numbing agent for dental pain. It can potentially reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth and the pain.
- Tea tree oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent that can also be added to your mouthwash. Like lemongrass, research has found that tea tree oil could be an effective nontoxic substitute for chemical agents used to treat gingivitis.
To make and use magic mouthwash:
- Add 3 drops of your chosen oil (or 1 drop of each of the above) to 1 cup of water
- Swish the solution in your mouth for up to 30 seconds.
- Spit out the solution.
- Repeat 3-4 times per day.
2. Pull Yourself a Pint of Coconut Oil
Oil pulling is an ancient practice that originated in the traditional medicine system of ancient India called Ayurveda. It involves swishing oil in your mouth to remove bacteria from the body via the gums. This home remedy for gingivitis is believed to cure more than thirty systemic diseases when practiced correctly under guidance from an Ayurvedic practitioner.
A recent study found that oil pulling resulted in a statistically significant decrease in plaque, gingival scores and bacterial counts. Coconut oil contains lauric acid – a strong antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory agent. Research findings strongly support using coconut oil for oil pulling to significantly reduce plaque and signs of gingivitis.
How to practice oil pulling:
- Put 1 to 2 teaspoons of fractionated coconut oil into your mouth.
- Swish the oil around for 20 to 30 minutes as tolerated. Be careful not to let the oil touch the back of your throat and do not swallow as the oil contains toxins from your gums.
- Spit the oil out after 20-30 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with water and spit.
- Rinse again.
- Drink a full glass of water.
- Brush your teeth.
3. Spice it Up With Tasty Paste
You likely have some of nature’s most potent anti-inflammatories resting on your spice rack in the kitchen – ginger and turmeric. Gingerol is just one of many medicinal compounds found in ginger that give this spice the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant medicinal properties.
Turmeric contains another powerful anti-inflammatory called curcumin, which when combined with ginger is a great combination for an excellent home remedy for gingivitis. Beware that turmeric can stain your teeth, so do not apply the paste if you are going out soon after.
To use this treatment:
- Mix the powdered roots with a few drops of warm water until you have a paste.
- Apply directly to your gums and it allow to absorb.
- Apply as often as needed.
Eliminate The Need For Home Remedies For Gingivitis
Just a few simple things could help prevent the need for home remedies for gingivitis in the future. Keeping sugary drinks and foods to a minimum is important to reduce plaque formation. Prevent the development of gingivitis with the following tips:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Replace your toothbrush throughout the year
- Consider using an electric toothbrush, which may be more effective at removing plaque and tartar
- Floss daily, and use a mouth rinse to help reduce plaque between your teeth
- Get regular professional dental cleanings
- Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
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