Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum
disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness and swelling
(inflammation) of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be
aware that you have the condition. But it's important to take gingivitis
seriously and treat it promptly. Gingivitis can lead to much more serious gum
disease (periodontitis) and eventual tooth loss.
The most common cause of gingivitis is poor
oral hygiene. Good oral health habits, such as brushing at least twice a day,
flossing daily and getting regular dental checkups, can help prevent
gingivitis.
Healthy gums are firm and pale pink. If your
gums are puffy, dusky red and bleed easily, you may have gingivitis. Because
gingivitis is seldom painful, you can have gingivitis without even knowing it.
Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include:
- Swollen gums
- Soft, puffy gums
- Receding gums
- Occasionally, tender gums
- Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss, sometimes seen as
redness or pinkness on your brush or floss
- A change in the color of your gums from a healthy pink to dusky red
- Bad breath
.jpg)
Remedies
for Gingivitis
1. Sea
Salt Solution
Dissolve
about ½ a teaspoon of sea salt in 1 cup of warm water. Drink, but do not
swallow the solution, and swish it for half a second and then spit it out. Do
this several times in a day, especially after meals.
2. Honey
After
brushing your teeth in the morning, rub some honey on the infected gums.
3. Tea
Bag Compress
After
steeping a tea bag in water for a few minutes, do not throw away the bag. Let
it cool down and then place it on the infected area for 5 to 6 minutes.
4. Lemon
and Salt Paste
Mix together
in a bowl ½ teaspoon of salt and the juice of 1 lemon. Apply the paste on your
teeth and leave it on for a few minutes. Rinse it off by gargling with some
warm water.
5.
Cranberry Juice
Drink 4
glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice every day. This will keep the bacteria
away from your teeth.
6. Baking
Soda
Make a paste
by mixing baking soda with a few drops of warm water. Brush your teeth with
this paste. It will offset the acids that cause gum diseases.
7. Sesame
and Coconut Oil
To cut loss
of blood due to bleeding gums, simply massage the gums with sesame or coconut
oil before brushing your teeth. Do this twice a day.
8. Clove
Oil
Simply massage your
gums with the oil to reduce the swelling of the gums.
9. Raw
Vegetables
Eat 3 to 4 raw
vegetables every day to clean your teeth and restore the flow of blood.
10.
Echinacea Extract
Add 1½
teaspoon of Echinacea extract to a glass of hot water and use it as a mouth
wash. Echinacea helps reduce inflammation and, at the same time,
strengthens immunity.
11.
Rubbing Gums
Using your fingertips,
rub your gums every morning before brushing your teeth. This motion helps
circulate blood in the gums. Thus, prevents any form of oral disease.
12.
Vitamin C
Eat lots of
fruits and vegetables which are affluent in vitamin C or ask your pharmacists
for some vitamin C supplements.
13.
Mustard Oil
Mix a pinch
of salt in 1 tablespoon of mustard oil, and apply it on the gums in circular
motions. Keep doing this for 3 to 4 minutes and then rinse it off with warm
water. Do this two times in a day until the swelling reduces.
14.
Cayenne Powder
Sprinkle a
bit of cayenne powder on your toothpaste every time you brush. This will help
prevent periodontal disease and will also kill all the microorganisms in the
mouth.
15.
Crunchy Organic Foods
Eat lots of
crunchy organic foods as they cleanse the tooth enamel.
16. Fiber
Rich Foods
Eat lots of
whole grain, fruits and green vegetables which are rich in fiber. Not only
does it improve your immunity, but also helps fight bacteria in the mouth.
17.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Mix equal
portions of drinking water and hydrogen peroxide. Swish it in your mouth but do
not drink it. Repeat 4 to 5 times in a week.
18. Alum
Dissolve
alum powder in 1 glass of drinking water. Use this water to rinse your mouth at
least 3 times in a day. This effectively reduces the swelling of the gums.
19.
Calcium
Calcium
makes bones and teeth stronger. Make sure you intake ample calcium daily.
- Guava skin has a high content of
vitamin C. Roast a ripe guava and sprinkle a bit of salt to it. Add a few
drops of lemon juice and eat it. Alternatively, you can also chew guava
leaves to reduce the swelling.
- Lemon juice is another good source of
vitamin C. Take a glass of warm water and squeeze a lemon in it. Utilize
it as a mouthwash after brushing.
20.
Turmeric
Mix together
50 grams of turmeric powder, 2 teaspoons of alum powder, 100 grams of neem
powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Rub the powder on your teeth and gums three
times a day.
21.
Cosmetic Clay
In a bowl,
mix ¼ cup of cosmetic clay with some baking soda. Add a few drops of tea tree
oil, 1½ cups of vegetable glycerin, 1/8 cup of powder sea salt and a few drops
of myrrh solution to it. Store it in a cool and dry place and use it as
toothpaste.
Most
dentists recommend regular checkups to identify gingivitis, cavities (caries)
and other dental conditions before they cause troubling symptoms and lead to
more serious problems. If you notice any signs and symptoms of gingivitis,
schedule an appointment with your dentist. The sooner you seek care, the better
your chances of reversing damage from gingivitis and preventing its progression
to periodontitis.