When it comes to gum disease, the best remedy is prevention. The earliest form of gum disease — gingivitis — is easily preventable by eliminating plaque from your teeth and gums before it becomes tartar, which only dentists can remove. So before moving to home remedies for gums disease treatment, here are some basic tips for preventing gingivitis in the first place. At Impression Dental, we invest a lot of time and energy in preventative dentistry in Edmonton, including by providing these resources.
Preventing gum disease
To remove as much plaque as possible before it becomes tartar and before it can fuel the cycles that produce oral problems — including tooth decay and gum disease — follow these tips:
● Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and ideally after every meal
● Use only toothbrushes (or better yet, an electric toothbrush) with soft or extra-soft bristles
● Replace that toothbrush with every new season (every three months)
● Floss every day and use a natural (alcohol-free) mouthwash
● Attend dental checkups with a dentist in Edmonton at least annually, and ideally every six months
● Have your teeth cleaned annually by a dentist near you
● Don’t smoke (or quit smoking)
● Minimize your consumption of sugar and, when you do eat sugar, brush your teeth right away
Responding to gum disease
Periodontal (gum) disease comes in two stages: Gingivitis and periodontitis. In its minor gingivitis stage, symptoms are minor, and the infection can be reversed relatively quickly. Often you can reverse symptoms without needing to see a dentist for gum disease treatment near you. Here are some home remedies to try:
Gargle with a saltwater rinse to soothe swollen and inflamed gums, reduce pain, rinse away food particles, improve your breath and reduce the presence of bacteria in your mouth.
If gargling with saltwater alone didn’t help, try these mouthwashes. Make a lemongrass mouthwash by adding two or three drops of essential lemongrass oil to a cup of water before swishing it in your mouth for 30 seconds two to three times daily. Another essential oil-based alternative is a tea tree oil mouthwash. Add no more than three drops of tea tree oil to a cup of warm water and use it just like a lemongrass mouthwash. Or, add one drop of tea tree oil to your toothbrush and toothpaste and brush normally. (Don’t overdo the lemongrass or tea tree oil; at too strong a concentration, they can be irritants.)
For a non-irritating option that doesn’t need to be diluted, swish 100% pure aloe vera juice from a health food or natural health store for 30 seconds two to three times daily.
A mouthwash made from the herb sage has been shown to reduce plaque-causing bacteria without irritation. Add two tablespoons of fresh sage to one or two cups of boiling water and let it simmer for five to 10 minutes. After straining and letting the water cool, use the solution like a mouthwash two to three times daily.
If symptoms persist or worsen, though, you may be developing the more serious condition, periodontitis, that can not be treated with home remedies or improved oral hygiene. If your symptoms worsen or persist, make an appointment with a dentist near you for their advice and help to return your gums to good health. A slightly more labour-intensive alternative is guava leaf mouthwash to reduce inflammation, pain and bad breath. To make it, crush five or six guava leaves in a mortar and pestle before adding the crushed leaves to one cup of boiling water and simmering for 15 minutes. Once the solution cools, add a pinch of salt and use the solution like mouthwash for 30 seconds, two to three times daily.
Here are a couple of things to remember about these home remedies. First, never swallow any of the mouthwash alternatives. Second, use these options in addition to a renewed commitment to the preventative tips we listed. If you don’t see your symptoms improve, make an appointment with a dentist that prioritizes preventative dentistry near you.
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