Gingivitis can be defined as the earliest stage of gum disease. Symptoms of gingivitis include red or swollen gum that may bleed when brushing your teeth. Although these symptoms are easier to ignore, they are a sign of dire consequences to come if left unchecked.
Eventually, gingivitis will lead to periodontitis, an advanced gum disease that can lead to loss of teeth and plant the seeds for other chronic illnesses to fester. This includes life-threatening conditions like heart attack, lung diseases, etc.
Thankfully, there are natural home remedies that can effectively take care of gingivitis for good.
Before we look into those natural remedies, here are some common practices you should follow diligently to avoid gingivitis:
1. Brush your teeth twice a day
2. Floss everyday
3. Replace your toothbrush after every three months
4. Use a natural mouthwash
5. Limit Sugar
6. Visit a dentist at least once a year
7. Avoid smoking or chewing of tobacco
With that out of the way, let’s look at some of the best home remedies available to clear gingivitis.
Best Natural Remedies for Gingivitis
1. Homemade Mouthwash
There are several homemade mouthwash options that can help you maintain your oral hygiene, and curb the development of gum diseases like gingivitis. Here are a few options, you can easily make and use at home:
Tea Tree Oil Mouthwash
A mouthwash made out of tea tree oil can significantly reduce the bleeding of the gums. To make it at home, add 3 drops of tea tree oil to a cup of warm water and swirl the mixture in the mouth before spitting it out.
Aloe-vera Mouthwash
Aloe vera can also make for an effective mouthwash against gingivitis. Aloe-vera juice does not need any diluting and can be used on its own. Use it like you would any other mouth wash.
Sage Mouthwash
A study conducted in 2015 showed that bacteria causing plague could be killed using sage mouth wash. To make sage mouthwash, add 2 tsp of fresh sage or 1 tsp of dried sage to boiling water.
Let it simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture and let it cool. Your sage mouthwash will be ready for use.
You can also make mouthwashes out of lemongrass oil and guava leaves to overcome the symptoms of gingivitis.
2. Saltwater Rinse
Saltwater has long been known to harbor disinfectant qualities. It can help relieve inflamed gums and also reduce gingivitis significantly. To effectively use saltwater rinse;
1. Boil Water and let it cool
2. Mix ¾ tsp of salt in the water
3. Swirl the water in the mouth and spit it out
4. Repeat three-time daily
3. Turmeric Gel
Turmeric, because of its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, can help prevent plaque and gingivitis. Turmeric gel can be easily picked from health food shops. For effective use, apply it to the gums and let it be for 10 minutes before rinsing it out with water.
4. Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an ancient oral hygiene practice, whose roots can be traced back to India. Oil pulling basically involves swirling of oil in the mouth for around 30 minutes. Oil pulling can eliminate bacteria from the mouth and also prevent plaque from developing around our gums. If you are going to practice oil pulling, we recommend using coconut oil. Keeping oil in the mouth for 30 minutes can be pretty difficult, so start out with a shorter time period. Do not swallow the oil.
The Bottom Line
The above remedies will not only help clear gingivitis but also help you maintain an impeccable level of oral hygiene. Apart from these, also try to incorporate more vitamin C and antioxidant-rich food in your diet. The deficiencies of both in the body have been directly linked to severe gum diseases like gingivitis. Avoid smoking, as one cigarette can make your body lose 25 mg of Vitamin C.
Be ahead of the curve, and do visit a dentist at least once a year. Rest assured, the above remedies will keep your teeth healthy and your smile beautiful.
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