Strangely, the idea of using home remedies to help yourself can appear radical and hippy to some. This is because we have been conditioned to outsource the responsibility of our health to medical professionals. Ultimately, we are all responsible for our own wellbeing. This is not to suggest that it is an either or situation. Rather, working together with your dentist or GP can be a fruitful relationship and home care gingivitis treatments may be part of the overall solution which stops its progression. Gingivitis is the early period of gum disease and the most likely time to arrest serious damage.
“For various ailments, natural remedies have been traditionally used. To defend against common disorders, medicinal plants are progressively used as nutritional supplements. Gingivitis and periodontitis are widespread and can affect most of the world’s population. Gingivitis is a very common, non-destructive inflammatory disease of gums that causes redness and irritation of the gingiva (gums), but periodontitis causes permanent damage to teeth’ subsidiary structures. Herbal medicines are getting popular for the treatment of such types of disorders due to being economical with their medicinal effectiveness, compatibility, and nontoxicity.”
– Rani N, Singla RK, Narwal S, Tanushree, Kumar N, Rahman MM. Medicinal Plants Used as an Alternative to Treat Gingivitis and Periodontitis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022 Sep 6;2022:2327641. doi: 10.1155/2022/2327641. PMID: 37941972; PMCID: PMC10630018.
Don’t Be Ginger About Your Early Gum Disease, Get Herbal
The foundational basis for your home treatment of gingivitis should be brushing up on your oral care. Ensure that you are cleaning your teeth frequently but not aggressively. It is funny but many of us have not updated our teeth brushing techniques since childhood. Too many of us are doing it rote without thinking much about what we are wishing to achieve. My advice is to immerse yourself in the available content online – there are videos and step by step accounts of best practice by dentists and experts. In addition, to this new commitment on the cleaning front, keep your mouth regularly lubricated with pure water to flush out food bits from your teeth and gums. Reduce or cut out sugary foods, as bacteria feeds on sugar. Likewise reduce foods high in acids. Drink plenty of pure water every day and keep sipping it throughout the day to keep your oral cavity lubricated. Dry mouth is a major cause of gum disease. Many medications exacerbate the dry mouth problem; therefore you need to sip plenty of pure water.
– Coconut Oil Pulling
Swishing coconut oil in your mouth for around 5 minutes can reduce the amount of plaque and calm down inflammation of the gums. Don’t drink the coconut oil. Spit it out into the rubbish bin, as it will become a solid at room temperature. Don’t spit it down the sink because it will block your drain pipes.
– Rinsing With Salt Water
Salt water is great for healing. 1 teaspoon of salt per 250 ml of pure water. Gargle the salty water for some 30 seconds inside your mouth before spitting out and repeating. Do this at least 3 times a day. It will promote healing of gum wounds.
– Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda is one of those all purpose wonders and is great added to your existing toothpaste. Alternatively, you can make your own dentifrice by mixing 1 teaspoon baking soda with a little bit of warm water. Make the paste to your desired thickness. Gently rub the paste upon your gums for 30 seconds. Rinse out afterwards with salty pure water. Do this 3 times a day until your gums do not feel tender. Of course, consult with your dentist.
– Turmeric Done Topical
Turmeric has been the flavour of the month for some time, as it has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties. Applying it topically onto your gums with a little warm water to make a paste gives great benefit to gingivitis gums. Mix 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric with a little warm water to form a paste. Gently apply to gums and let it sit there for 10 minutes. Stay relaxed. Rinse with warm water afterwards to remove the paste. Spit out and repeat rinsing process until all traces are gone. Do this twice a day until gum tenderness is gone.
– Aloe Vera Mouth Wash
A scientific conference into the effectiveness of herbal remedies saw aloe vera came in in top 3 as the most effective natural agent. Mix 150 ml of aloe vera with 300 ml of pure water. Gargle a mouth wash volume of it in your oral cavity for some 30 seconds. Spit out. Repeat 3 times per day until your gums no longer feel tender. Aloe vera is a great healer.
– Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree is the great Australian healer. The naturally antibacterial oil derived from this botanical source is great at fighting bacteria. Be careful with it and only use tiny drops of it, as it can be toxic in large doses. Mix 2-3 drops of tea tree oil in 250 ml of warm water. Use as mouth wash for 30 seconds. Do not swallow! Spit it out. Rinse and spit that out too, repeatedly. Monitor your reaction to it and consult with your dentist if you have any concerns. Once a day until your gums no longer feel tender.
– Green Tea
Green tea is a wonderful habit to get into for those with gingivitis. There are many naturally occurring phytochemicals in green tea.
A Good Diet Delivers The Best Medicine
Often ailments like gum disease can be an opportunity for sufferers to embrace the empowering shift to taking greater responsibility for their own health and wellbeing. It can be a wakeup call that you cannot go on treating your body like a waste dump. What we choose to put inside our body reflects upon who we are and what we value in life. Good natural food is about long lasting positive outcomes, whereas junk food and processed foods are about convenience and manufacturers making money. Eat more green leafy vegetables, pulses, grains, and fresh fruit for your microbiome. Reduce the amount of meat you eat. Cut out processed meats. Don’t drink too much alcohol. Eat well and learn how to prepare your own healthy meals. Take responsibility for your diet and your life. Drink plenty of pure water every day. Keep sipping that water throughout the day. Your gums will thank you, as will your entire physical and mental wellbeing.
