Have you ever noticed a bit of blood in the sink after brushing and flossing? That’s one of the most common symptoms of gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to the later stage, periodontitis. At this point, your teeth may become loose and even fall out! In order to prevent this from happening, here are a few home remedies you can use to stop gingivitis in its tracks.
Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene
The first step in preventing gingivitis from worsening is to make sure you’re cleaning your teeth properly. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Make sure you’re not scrubbing your teeth too forcefully, as that can irritate your gums.
Also, floss at least once a day (ideally after every meal or snack). Flossing is the best way to prevent gum disease, since it’s the only way to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and along your gumline.
Lastly, avoid smoking or chewing tobacco. People who use tobacco are more than twice as likely as nonsmokers to develop gum disease.
Rinse with Saltwater
Salt has natural antibacterial and disinfectant properties that can actually help your body heal itself. Swishing a saltwater solution around in your mouth can help soothe irritated gums, ease pain, and reduce trapped food particles and the number of bacteria in your mouth.
To create a saltwater rinse, let half a teaspoon of table salt dissolve in an eight-ounce glass of water. Swish the mixture around in your mouth for up to 30 seconds, then spit it out. Repeat two or three times a day until your symptoms are gone.
Homemade Mouthwash
If rinsing with saltwater isn’t relieving your gingivitis, don’t worry. There are plenty of options to craft your own mouthwash at home that should reduce your inflammation and pain, such as:
- Dilute two or three drops of lemongrass oil into a glass of water and rinse for 30 seconds a few times a day
- Swish 100% pure aloe vera juice in your mouth for 30 seconds a couple of times a day
- Add two or three drops of tea tree oil to a glass of water and rinse
Just remember to not swallow any of these mixtures. Always spit them out after rinsing.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling entails swishing oil certain types of oil around in your mouth for 20-30 minutes to rid your mouth of bacteria and toxins, particularly those that cause gum disease. The most popular method involves coconut oil.
Take 1-2 teaspoons of fractionated coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for about half an hour. Spit it out, rinse with water, drink a full glass of water, and then brush your teeth.
While all of these methods are great for reducing your symptoms, it’s still a great idea to give your dentist a call if your gum inflammation persists.
About the Author
Dr. Jenna Bagley earned her degree in dentistry at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and has been working as a dentist in Greenfield, MA for 20 years and counting. Her practice offers periodontal therapy to treat gum disease. If you find that your symptoms aren’t subsiding after trying the remedies in this post, contact Dr. Bagley’s office at (413) 772-0842.