Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a gum disease causing swelling, inflammation, and bleeding of the gum tissues.

Gingivitis is caused by irritation from tartar and plaque. Gum disease doesn't usually hurt, so the first signs of gingivitis people usually notice are bleeding gums when they brush their teeth or floss. Healthy gums are pink and firm, while gums with gingivitis can be dark red and swollen.

Plaque is a thin film formed by bacteria naturally present and their by-products that continuously form a coating on your teeth. When plaque builds up between your teeth, hardened deposits called tartar form in the gum line making ideal hiding spaces for bacterial toxins.

Bacteria produce toxins that irritate gums, making them red and swollen. If the bacteria are not removed, the connecting tissues of the gums are damaged and recede, tooth to bone connection is weakened, resulting in a deep pocket between tooth and gum.

Poor oral hygiene is the number one cause of gingivitis, but there can also be other lifestyle and medical conditions that cause a person to have gingivitis. Smoking, substance abuse, and poor nutrition are some of the lifestyle risk factors. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, decreased immunity, viral and fungal infections, diabetes, and old age also increase the risk of gingivitis.

Gingivitis can lead to serious periodontal disease when left untreated.

Home Remedies for Gingivitis

Many people don't know they have gum disease until they have a checkup with the dentist. The dentist will help you treat gingivitis before it develops into a more serious issue called periodontitis. Home remedies are commonly safe, but if your gingivitis is not improving with natural remedies, check with your dentist to avoid more serious problems.

Visit your Dentist

The most helpful and effective remedy is visiting your dentist for proper cleaning and advice. Tartar is hard to remove by brushing alone and requires professional cleaning.

Brush and Floss Regularly

Good oral health and care of your teeth and gums are your first defense against gingivitis. Be sure to brush your teeth for three to five minutes, at least twice daily, for good oral hygiene.

For proper brushing, brush at the gumline where gingivitis begins. This plaque-catching area is the most neglected area during brushing. Brush at a 45-degree angle so that you can clean both your teeth and gums. Shimmy rather than scrape your brush across the teeth.

Use an electric toothbrush, if possible, to maximize cleaning. Statistics show that an electric rotary toothbrush tends to remove 98 percent of plaque compared to the 48 percent that hand brushing typically removes.

Use a soft brush and replace it every three months. Floss before or after brushing, especially if you've eaten foods that tend to get stuck between teeth.

Salt Water Rinse

One of the best ways to reduce gum inflammation is to rinse your mouth with salt water. The salt water helps to pull fluid quickly from sore, inflamed, and swollen gums.

To help fight gum disease and gingivitis:

  • Mix 1 teaspoon of salt water with 1 cup warm water.
  • Gently swish the water around the mouth for 15-30 seconds.
  • Do not swallow the water. Spit the water out when finished.
  • Repeat the process 2 times a day.

Gum Proxabrush

A proxabrush is a good tool to use to reduce gingivitis. A proxabrush is a specially designed toothbrush shaped like a tiny bottle brush that easily slides between teeth or under your crown or bridge to reach places a regular toothbrush cannot.

Tongue Brush

Brush or scrape your tongue to remove any bacteria or toxins hiding there. You can buy a tongue scraper at the store or use another dull-edged implement- a demitasse spoon, tongue depressor, or toothbrush. Scrape from back to front ten or fifteen times.

Plaque Reducing Mouthwash

A good mouthwash can also help support good oral health by reducing bad breath and fighting bacteria, plaque buildup, and gingivitis. Find a mouthwash with active ingredients that reduce dental plaque, such as Cetylpridinium chloride or domiphen bromide. Some mouthwashes with essential oils, such as eucalyptus and menthol, have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Look for a mouthwash with Fluoride to help strengthen enamel and fight tooth decay, helping reduce further tooth destruction. Ask your dentist what they recommend and follow the manufacturer's or your dentist's instructions.

Water and Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse

  • Mix 3/4 cup of warm water
  • 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide (3% ).
  • Swish this mixture around your mouth for at least 3 minutes
  • Spit out the mixture and repeat
  • DO NOT SWALLOW

Hydrogen peroxide is harmful if ingested. Hydrogen peroxide loses strength when exposed to light, so pour the remaining solution down the drain. Do this three times a week to reduce bacterial growth.

The water and hydrogen peroxide solution can also be used in a Waterpik, which can help irrigate between tight and hard-to-reach areas. It may also be easier for some people to use than dental floss.

Coconut Oil Pulling

Coconut oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and coconut oil pulling can help reduce plaque and signs of gingivitis. Oil pulling should be done for at least 2-3 minutes. Use one teaspoon of fractionated coconut oil, swish, spit and rinse.

Good Nutrition

Gingivitis is to the gums, as osteoporosis is to the bones. Like the body's skeletal structure can become brittle and shrink, so can your jawbone. To bolster your bones, make sure you have plenty of calcium-enriched foods such as dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt), eggs, salmon, almonds, protein, fiber and dark greens, fruits, and vegetables, and reduce sugar intake.

Although it won't cure gingivitis, vitamin C can reduce bleeding gums. Other vitamins such as Vitamin D, K, Potassium, and Vitamin A can help too.

Lifestyle Changes

Natural cures for gingivitis include simple lifestyle changes. Avoid excessive smoking and alcohol consumption which can cause problems with your gums due to dehydration and vitamin and mineral depletion.