Natural Home Remedies For Gingivitis (Gum Inflammation)

Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums due to deprecation in oral health and unhygienic lifestyle.

It occurs mainly after the formation of slimy films of bacteria that amass on the teeth, known as plaque.

Plaque accumulates for months and years to turn into tartar and that causes bleeding of gums, bad breath and swelling of gums. This non-destructive periodontal disease is called Gingivitis.

In this article, you will learn the causes, symptoms and home remedies to cure it.

Gingivitis Causes

1. Plaque Formation – The invisible and sticky film formed in your mouth is basically the composition of germs and bacteria combined with sugar and starch. One must remove plaque from one’s mouth daily.

2. Tartar. If plaque lasts on your teeth for longer, it turns into tartar by the gum line that collects bacteria. It’s not only difficult to remove but offers a protective shield for bacteria that later causes irritation in the gums.

3. Gingiva becoming inflamed – Settlement of tartar and plaque on your teeth for prolonged time leads to inflammation in gums. The gums swell and starts to bleed, and tooth begins to decompose. This can lead to eventual tooth decay.

Gingivitis Symptoms

1. You can feel inflammation in gums and they turn puffy inside your mouth.

2. We know that healthier the gum, the tighter will it be. But if infected by gingivitis, gums turn softer.

3. The gums begin to recede and the lower ends of your teeth come to exposure.

4. You will often find your gums bleeding, mostly during flossing or brushing.

5. Healthy gums are pinkish, but infected gums become peculiarly reddened.

6. Due to growing bacteria in the mouth, you will find a foul smell in your mouth.

Home Remedies for Gingivitis

1. Oil Pulling

What all you need:

• Coconut Oil

• Sesame Oil

Directions:

1. Fill your mouth with coconut or sesame oil.

2. Rinse your mouth with this oil and make sure the oil reaches every corner of you mouth.

3. Rinse your mouth with water after spitting out the oil from your mouth.

How it works: Oil pulling helps in freeing the mouth from all forms of bacteria.

2. Baking Soda

What all you need:

• Baking Soda

• Warm water

Directions:

1. Make a paste with warm water and baking soda

2. With your index finger brush your teeth with this paste

3. After 1 minute of cleaning teeth with baking soda, rinse off with clean water.

How it works: Baking soda is basic and neutralizes those acids in the mouth that lead to various gum problems. Infections in gums are also lessened by the application of baking soda.

Tip: Rinsing properly is necessary after using baking soda in the mouth so that no particle is left behind.

3. Clove Oil

What all you need:

• Few drops of clove oil.

Directions:

1. Apply the oil directly to your inflamed gums with your index finger.

2. Leave it on for about 3-5 minutes.

3. Rinse off with water.

How it works: Clove contains eugenol along with antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that cleanse the mouth of any possibilities of germs built-up.

Tip: You can do this twice or thrice a day

4. Aloe Vera

What all you need:

• One fat Aloe Vera leaf

• One teaspoon

Directions:

1. Scoop out the gel from the Aloe Vera leaf with the spoon and beat the gel evenly.

2. Apply this gel on your teeth and gel and leave it on for about 5 minutes.

3. Wash your mouth thoroughly with water later.

How it works: Aloe Vera contains healing compounds and anti-inflammatory substances that soothe down inflamed gums.

Tip: You may want to use a little honey to the gel to negate its bitter taste.

5. Lemon Juice

What all you need:

• Juice of one lemon

• One cup of lukewarm water

Directions:

1. Add the lemon juice to water and stir well.

2. Swish this lemon-water solution in your mouth for a couple of minutes like a mouthwash and spit it out.

3. Follow up by rinsing your mouth with plain water.

How it works: The ascorbic and citric acid present in lemon have antimicrobial effects on all oral germs and bacteria.

Tip: You may use it during bedtime too.

6. Tea Tree Oil

What all you need:

• Few drops of tea tree oil

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

Directions:

1. Add the tea tree oil to your toothpaste after squeezing it on your toothbrush.

2. Brush as usual.

How it works: The essential oil with amazing antimicrobial properties kill germs and bacteria in the mouth.

Tip: You can also use it to massage your gems at bedtime.

7. Salt

What all you need:

• A teaspoon of table salt

• Few drops of water

Directions:

1. Wet the salt with a little water.

2. Apply the wet salt to your teeth.

3. With your index finger, massage gently for 2 minutes.

4. Rinse your mouth with water.

How it works: Salt kills all oral germs

Tip: Don’t use a toothbrush

8. Guava Leaves

What all you need:

• Few clean guava leaves

Directions:

1. All you have to do is chew these clean guava leaves for 5 minutes.

2. Make sure the juice of these leaves reach every corner mouth.

3. Spit it out and wash your mouth with water.

How it works: Even the leaves of guava are boosted with antimicrobial richness that keeps the mouth healthy

Tip: Do it every morning if you can.

9. Turmeric

What all you need:

• Turmeric paste or powder

• Water

Directions:

1. Make a solution with water and turmeric

2. Swish with it like mouthwash for a few minutes

3. Spit and wash mouth with plain water

How it works: Antiseptic properties in turmeric help kill oral bacteria and germs.

Tip: Brush your teeth with toothpaste to make sure the turmeric doesn’t stain your teeth yellow.

10. Peppermint

What all you need:

• Peppermint leaves

• Drinking water

Directions:

1. Soak the leaves in water overnight.

2. Use this water as mouthwash twice daily.

How it works: While it soothes the mouth and body, peppermint is an effective home remedy for gingivitis

11. Cranberry Juice

What all you need:

• Organic cranberry juice

• Drinking water

Directions:

1. Dilute the juice with drinking water.

2. Use it as a mouthwash twice a day.

How it works: Cranberry juice checks the multiplication of bacteria in mouth keeping gingivitis at bay.

Tip: Use sugar free cranberry juice. You can also drink a glass of cranberry juice every day for better results.

12. Sage

What all you need:

• One tablespoon of sage powder

• A pinch of common salt

• A glass of drinking water

Directions:

1. Add the sage powder and salt in boiling water and cool it down.

2. Use this solution as mouthwash for 2 to 3 times a day.

How it works: Sage cures inflammation and treats tooth cavity. Its anti-microbial components reduces swelling of gums too.

13. Hydrogen Peroxide

What all you need:

• 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution

• Water

Directions:

1. Mix the solution well with water

2. Use it as a mouthwash twice daily

How it works: Hydrogen Peroxide solution kills bacteria that lead to gum disease.

Tip: Do not go for highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide.

14. Green Tea

What all you need:

• Two green tea bags

• One cup water

Directions:

1. Bring the water to a boil and dip the tea bags.

2. Drink the green tea or use it as a mouth wash twice daily

How it works: The free radical scavengers and detoxifying elements alleviates gingivitis and ensures overall oral health.

Tip: You may add a teaspoon of honey if drinking as tea.

15. Sage

What all you need:

• One tablespoon of sage powder

• A pinch of common salt

• A glass of drinking water

Directions:

1. Add the sage powder and salt in boiling water and cool it down.

2. Use this solution as mouthwash for 2 to 3 times a day.

How it works: Sage cures inflammation and treats tooth cavity. Its anti-microbial components reduce swelling of gums too.

16. Myrrh

What all you need:

• Myrrh

• One cup drinking water

Directions:

1. Add Myrrh to a cup of lukewarm drinking water.

2. Gargle with this water or use it as a mouthwash

How it works: Myrhh kills bacteria that goes on to form gingivitis in your mouth.

Tip: Use in the morning or at bedtime.

17. Neem

What all you need:

• A fig from the need tree.

Directions:

1. Use the fig of neem tree to brush your teeth daily

How it works: Every part of the neem tree has nature’s goodness that makes the body strong and fights germs

Tip: You can also use powdered neem leaves to rub your teeth instead.

18. Lemongrass oil

What all you need:

• Few drops of lemongrass oil

• Regular toothbrush

• Regular toothpaste

Directions:

1. Squeeze a little toothpaste on the toothbrush and add few drops of lemongrass oil to it.

2. Brush your teeth as usual and rinse off.

How it works: The astringent properties in the essential oil strengthen gums, remove bacteria from oral cavity preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

19. Ginger

What all you need:

• Fresh ginger paste

Directions:

1. Rub the fresh ginger paste to your teeth and gums and massage for five minutes.

2. Mouthwash with plain water.

How it works: It treats swollen gums and stops bleeding too.

20. Black Seed Oil

What all you need:

• Few drops of Black Seed oil

• Warm water

Directions:

1. Make a solution with the essential oil and water.

2. Use this solution as a mouthwash for at least a week.

How it works: Black seed oil with its anti-microbial qualities cure gingivitis and swollen gums.

Tip: You can also run the oils directly to your gums.

21. Basil Leaves

What all you need:

• Basil leaves paste

Directions:

1. Use the basil leaves pate to rub your gums and teeth for 2 minutes every morning.

2. Follow up with rinsing the mouth thoroughly.

OR

1. Dilute the basil paste in lukewarm water and form a green solution

2. Use this solution as mouthwash every morning.

How it works: With the antiseptic and Ayurveda properties, basil leaves stop bleeding of gums and soothes tooth ache.

22. Mustard Oil and Salt

What all you need:

• Half teaspoon of salt

• One teaspoon of mustard oil

Directions:

1. Mix the mustard oil and common salt well.

2. Rub your teeth and gums with this paste for two minutes.

2. Rinse with plain water.

How it works: Mustard oil-salt mixture has antimicrobial properties that restore the health of inflamed gums.

23. Cayenne Powder

What all you need:

• Cayenne powder

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrush

Directions:

1. Mix the cayenne powder and toothpaste.

2. Brush your teeth as usual.

How it works: Cayenne powder restricts the growth of bacteria and heels gingivitis after regular use.

24. Alum Gargles

What all you need:

• A teaspoon of Alum powder

• Water

Directions:

1. Mix the alum powder in water.

2. Swish your mouth with this solution.

How it works: Alum works greatly toward reducing swollen gums, or oral infections.

25. Listerine

What all you need:

• Listerine

Directions:

1. Swish with Listerine every morning after brush

How it works: Listerine is an effective antiseptic mouthwash aimed at killing oral bacteria and germs.

Tip: If possible use twice daily.

Mouth Clearing Tips to Reverse Gingivitis

1. Brush twice every day.

2. To make sure you are using a brush with firm bristles, change your toothbrush every two months.

3. Wash your mouth at least with plain water after every meal.

4. Stop smoking and chewing tobacco.

5. Floss daily.

6. If you observe tartar formation on your gum line, do visit a doctor at the earliest.

When to See Your Doctor?

Though the above home remedies can treat gingivitis effectively, in case of severe bleeding, and swollen gums, do not hesitate in booking an appointment with your dentist.

Also, you must visit the dentist once every six months to remove plaque/tartar and to ensure the general oral health.

Quick FAQs

1. What’s the sticky film I find on my teeth on waking up?

This slimy film is called plaque, that thin layer or bacteria, sugar and starch. You much get rid of it every day.

2. What’s the link between gums diseases and gingivitis?

Gum diseases are the first step toward gingivitis. If left unattended, gums diseases will result in bleeding and swelling, and ultimately lead to gingivitis.

3. But why are my gums bleeding at all?

Bleeding gums are a red alert and often give you hints of severe danger in oral health.

4. Do all mouthwashes treat or gingivitis or gum disease?

That would depend on what ingredients have been used to make the mouthwash. Listerine is an amazing product that puts up a great fight against every oral disease.

I hope this article has given insight into some of these queries; how to cure gum disease without a dentist, gingivitis cure hydrogen peroxide, how to get rid of gum infection without antibiotics, gingivitis symptoms, gingivitis treatment antibiotics, home remedy for bleeding gums, mouthwash for gingivitis, how to strengthen gums naturally.

If you still have question, comment below.