Dentistry-Online

Home remedies for gum inflammation

introduction

A gingivitis, too Gingivitis called, describes an inflammation of the gum line caused by bacteria.
The periodontium is not affected, but untreated gingivitis can turn into periodontitis. Home remedies are often used, but these should not be the sole treatment, but should only be used as a support.

Read more on the topic: What helps with inflammation of the gums?

Home Remedies - An Overview

These home remedies can be used as an aid to treating gum inflammation. They are prepared either as a tincture, as a cooled tea for rinsing, or in the form of ointments:

sage
chamomile
Tea tree oil
ginger
Cloves
Saline solutions

Also read our article: Ointments for inflammation of the gums

sage

Sage has long been used as a home remedy for all inflammations in the mouth and throat. Sage has anti-inflammatory, soothing and antibacterial effects, so it can be used optimally for the relief of gum problems.
In addition to the classic sage teas that you get in every supermarket, sage leaves are even better suited. You can get these at markets, in health food stores or in drugstores. Take a teaspoon of sage leaves and pour 250ml of boiling water over it. Then let it steep for 10 minutes. Once the tea has cooled down to drinking temperature, you rinse your mouth with it. The ointment solution is moved from left to right in the mouth so that the entire gum is adequately washed. The process is repeated over the course of the day. Chamomile can also be used for this.

chamomile

Chamomile has been a home remedy for fighting inflammation since ancient times. Chamomile also soothes the gums in the oral cavity and can minimize symptoms of gingivitis.
For this, chamomile extract should be diluted with water or cooled chamomile tea to rinse the oral cavity several times a day. The antibacterial effect of chamomile ensures that the swelling and reddening of the gums go down and the pain is alleviated.

Due to the multiple causes of inflammation of the gums, a home remedy cannot help cure the severely pronounced forms. In these cases, or if no timely relief from chamomile has been achieved, the dentist must be consulted, who may resort to a mouth rinse with chlorhexidine digluconate or to medical therapy. A time frame of one to a maximum of two weeks applies as a guide.
Otherwise, there is a risk that a simple inflammation of the gums will develop into periodontitis, in which the entire dental bed is affected by inflammation and, if left untreated, tooth loosening and cardiovascular disease can result.

You may also be interested in this topic: The effects of chamomile

Cloves

In addition to the home remedies just mentioned, there is another one that has been used for a long time for any inflammation in the mouth and throat area, namely the clove.

Either you use some clove oil and dab it directly on the inflamed area. Alternatively you can use a cotton swab or you can make a mouthwash solution from clove oil. Approx. 9-11 drops of the oil are dripped into lukewarm water and then your mouth is rinsed with it. Again, the solution has to be spit out after use. The carnation is also said to have a disinfecting and antibacterial effect.
Before the first use, it should be tested whether there is a clove allergy. It should also be used in small doses, as otherwise it can be toxic. The clove oil can be purchased in pharmacies and on the Internet and is usually a mixture of clove bud, clove leaf and clove stem oil.

Read more about this: Cloves

Tea tree oil

The tea tree oil, which has been used for a long time in Australia, has also proven itself in this country for some time as a home remedy for various diseases of the body. Initially used more on burns, warts and blemished skin, dentistry has also discovered the effect on gum inflammation.
Not only can it reduce inflammation and speed the healing process by preventing bacteria from multiplying, but it also disinfects small wounds in the mouth and reduces the possibility of re-inflammation.
So it can be used prophylactically by putting a drop on the toothbrush and spreading it on the teeth. In the case of inflamed gums, use a cotton swab to apply it directly to the inflamed area. Alternatively, you can put a few drops in lukewarm water and rinse your mouth with it. It also ensures fresh breath and nicer teeth. Caution is advised, however, because tea tree oil should not be swallowed; it is spit out again after use. Tea tree oil is available in drugstores, pharmacies or on the Internet. Small amounts are sufficient because an opened bottle should be used up as quickly as possible.

You may also be interested in this topic: Medicines for gingivitis

ginger

Another home remedy is ginger.
It not only has a beneficial effect on a cold, but can also be used to treat gingivitis due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can buy ginger bulbs cheaply in almost every supermarket. You cut off a small piece of the tuber, remove the woody peel and place it on the inflamed gums and let it work there briefly. Ginger can also be used as a tea. To do this, simply add hot water to small pieces of the fresh tuber.

Similar topics you might be interested in: Antibiotics for gingivitis

salt

Mouthwashes are often used in the treatment of inflammation of the gums in order to rid the mouth of harmful bacteria. They can be used as a support, but they are not enough as the sole tooth cleaning agent.
In addition to chemical mouthwashes, a mouthwash solution can also be quickly made at home from salt. Salt is available in every household; it is best to use sea salt. To do this, you take some lukewarm water, dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in it and rinse your mouth with the solution, just as you would with a traditional mouthwash. The salt water washes gently around the gums and teeth and kills the bacteria that are present. The solution should be spit out after use so that the bacteria can get out of the mouth and excessive amounts of salt are unhealthy for the body.

More information on this topic: Gargle with salt water - that's how it's done!

Home remedies for children

The various home remedies that are believed to help treat gum inflammation in adults are not all suitable for children.
Even when diluted, essential oils can cause cramps, respiratory problems and even respiratory arrest in children, which is why substances such as mint oils, menthol and camphor are dangerous for children up to 2 years of age.

Gum inflammation can quickly develop in children, especially during the period of tooth change, which can usually be treated with home remedies and disappears within a few days. In the case of inflammation of the gums, mouthwash solutions such as chamomile and sage tea can safely be used. Rinsing several times a day can soothe irritated gums. Clove oil diluted with water also has an antibacterial effect that alleviates signs of inflammation and minimizes pain. In the case of slight swellings, brief cooling with a cold pack is also helpful to relieve the pain of inflammation.

However, if the inflammation is not reduced by the home remedies, a dentist must be visited to treat the inflammation of the gums with medication if necessary.

homeopathy

Homeopathic preparations can be used to support gum inflammation. However, their effectiveness has not been proven by studies.
The Globuli Mercurius solubilis is used especially for swollen gums and redness in the oral cavity. In the D12 potency, five globules are taken three times a day. The application time usually lasts seven to ten days.

Globules also have the advantage of supporting the immune system, so that the body can better fight the infection and thus fight the gingivitis faster. Nevertheless, globules should not be used as the sole form of therapy, but rather serve as additional support in addition to dental therapy.

Because if the gingivitis was caused by adhering plaque and food particles, the globules cannot provide relief if the remains have not been professionally removed by the dentist. Therefore, an agreement with the treating dentist is considered to be the method of choice so that the globules have positive effects and thus promote a dental therapy path.

Home Remedies During Pregnancy

Especially during pregnancy, natural remedies are often used in the event of inflammation of the gums, so as not to risk permanent damage to the child.

Inflammation of the gums during pregnancy is not uncommon, as hormonal changes can increase or change the saliva flow and saliva composition.
During this time, great importance is attached to oral hygiene in order to avoid dental interventions during pregnancy. If you notice inflammation of the gums, it is always advisable to visit the dentist to discuss the best possible therapy.

Rinsing with a saline solution can achieve the desired effect, or sage and chamomile are very effective and can be used without hesitation. Treatment with clove oil is also possible. Together with a professional teeth cleaning, the gum inflammation should be quickly brought under control.

Please also read our topic: Bleeding gums during pregnancy

causes

The cause of the inflammation is the plaque that forms on the teeth after they eat.
If this is not removed, the colonizing bacteria can not only attack the hard tooth substance, but also wake up the body's immune reaction against bacteria, so that the gums react with inflammation. In addition, the bacteria produce enzymes and toxins that additionally irritate the gums.

Learn more about this:

Causes of gingivitis
Proper dental care

Summary

There are many different home remedies that promise relief for gum inflammation. These include saline solutions, clove and tea tree oil, but also sage and chamomile. In any case, however, the opinion of a dentist should still be obtained so that, together with the home remedies, you can provide quick relief.