Gingivitis is a condition in which the gums get inflamed. It’s typically caused by plaque and bacteria. Although gingivitis is a non-destructive issue, if left ignored, it can turn into periodontitis and eventually tooth loss. However, in addition to losing your teeth, you run the risk of getting heart problems, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Therefore, before using home remedies for bleeding and swollen gums, it’s best to visit a periodontal clinic to tell your doctor which home treatments you might want to try. Here are some effective things that can help relieve gum inflammation:
Using a mouth rinse that’s made of the herb sage can help alleviate inflammation, as it contains some anti-inflammatory compounds. According to a recent study, daily rinsing with a sage mouthwash can significantly reduce the number of bacteria that lead to gingivitis. Just add two tablespoons of fresh or one teaspoon of dried sage to one cup of boiling water, strain, and let cool.
Rinsing with coconut oil is a quite popular way to relieve gingivitis and improve mouth microflora. Although the effectiveness of coconut oil as a dental remedy lacks scientific evidence, many people report that it’s actually helpful. According to a small study of 40 people published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, rinsing with coconut oil for 10 minutes once a day for a week can lower plaque.
It’s no surprise that regular flossing can help combat gingivitis and prevent other dental issues. Flossing is an effective way to remove food particles from in between teeth, where toothbrushes can’t reach. This, in turn, helps prevent plaque accumulation, a culprit of periodontal disease. It’s also important to make regular appointments with your dentist to prevent serious oral problems.
Regular consumption of green tea is an easy way to boost overall health and prevent periodontal disease. This is due to the fact that green tea is high in various antioxidants that help lower inflammation and might counteract the body’s inflammatory response to bacteria in the mouth. This will help alleviate swelling and bleeding caused by gingivitis.
The polyphenols found in green tea might also help inhibit the growth of gingivitis-causing bacteria.
Turmeric is a popular spice that’s added to many Indian dishes. It’s well known for its amazing health benefits like lowering overall inflammation, increasing the antioxidant capacity of the body, improving brain function, lowering the risk of heart disease, and helping to prevent cancer.
Since the spice possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, it can be used to fight gum inflammation as well. Applying a paste made of one teaspoon of turmeric, a half teaspoon of salt, and a half teaspoon of mustard oil can provide relief from gingivitis when rubbed onto gums twice a day.
Lemongrass oil has been shown to effectively lower the levels of plaque that contribute to gingivitis and periodontal disease. This oil can actually be a great substitute for a traditional mouthwash. Just dilute two to three drops of lemongrass oil in a cup of water, swish, and spit it out.
Regular brushing is an obvious tip for gingivitis that should be done twice a day. It’s actually the best way to maintain good dental health and avoid periodontitis.
Since hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antiseptic that can eliminate harmful mouth bacteria, it’s worth trying to use it for gum inflammation. Dilute 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and mix it 50:50 with water. You can also put some in your water flosser to get rid of the bacteria more effectively.
