Tender, swollen, and bleeding gums indicate oral health trouble such as gingivitis. If the symptoms are new, you’re in the good territory; you have time on your side.
However, if you have ignored the symptoms for several weeks or months, it’s a good idea to take action promptly. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are 200,000 reported gingivitis cases annually. A diagnosis ensures the patient’s condition. This is the first stage of periodontal disease. Once it progresses, the patient’s teeth and gums enter the danger zone.
Gum issues develop because the plaque, film, and bacteria surrounding the teeth remain in place for several weeks and months. The substances eat away at the teeth and cause cavities.
It also sits on the gums, causing inflammation and bleeding. After receiving treatment, it takes a few weeks to months for the condition to resolve.
The good news is that the first stage of periodontal disease doesn’t require extensive dental treatment. Combining professional teeth cleanings with a couple of home remedies help the gums and teeth become healthy again.
Here we cover seven gingivitis home remedies to try today.
1. Brush Your Teeth Daily
Oral health begins with teeth brushing twice a day. Teeth brushing is a simple task that many Americans skip or don’t complete correctly.
To start remedying gingivitis at home today, brush your teeth. The correct technique requires spending 30 seconds in each quadrant. Hold the toothbrush at an angle against your teeth. Don’t press the brush too hard against them.
Consider watching online tutorials for visual help. For additional assistance, purchase rechargeable, electronic toothbrushes with sensors and timers.
Treat brushing your teeth correctly like a habit instead of a chore to start remedying signs of gingivitis.
2. Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly
If you’re practicing solid toothbrushing techniques, you can still experience gingivitis. Good technique but the wrong tools cancel out brushing regularly.
A worn-out toothbrush has bristles that can no longer knock off the plaque, bacteria, and film from your teeth. Even though you’re brushing twice a day, weak bristles don’t complete their job.
Toothbrush bristles and replacement heads wear out in three to four months. Thus, replace them accordingly. When you replace it, you’ll notice the difference immediately.
3. Floss Daily
To remedy the symptoms of gingivitis at home ensure that you floss daily. Flossing reaches the plaque, bacteria, and food particles that hide in between your teeth and crevices.
Many Americans skip flossing because their gums bleed. Bleeding is not ideal. However, dentists encourage patients to continue flossing daily anyway. Gum bleeding indicates that something in between the teeth is bothering the gums.
Once the gunk hiding in between the teeth is gone, the bleeding will stop. If the bleeding persists, it’s a sign that the periodontal disease has advanced. Visit your dentist for more information and help.
4. Salt Water Rinse
Saltwater rinses have several uses. They’re great for healing mouth sores and preventing infection after a serious dental treatment.
The salt helps disinfect the gums. Grab a glass. Pour up to ¾ teaspoon of salt and fill the water with lukewarm water. Swish a gulp of the rinse in your mouth for 30 seconds. Spit out. Repeat two to three times a day.
5. Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is similar to saltwater rinses. Instead of salt, pour up to one teaspoon of oil into a glass. Fill it with warm water and take a gulp.
Swish the oil rinse in your mouth for up to 30 seconds. Spit it out. Repeat two to three times a day.
6. Use Fluoride Oral Care Products
Several dental brands produce toothpaste and mouthwash that contains fluoride. To remedy gingivitis, use fluoride oral care products, namely those with stannous fluoride.
The ingredient helps combat the bacteria that cause periodontal disease symptoms.
7. Visit the Dentist
When the symptoms of gingivitis persist, make an appointment to see your dentist. If you visit their office once every six months, it’s enough to keep the oral health issue away.
Plus, a dentist gives their patients additional tips for keeping their mouth healthy at home. Making the bi-annual dental exam a habit helps prevent gingivitis from becoming something more serious. It allows the dental team to check in on your teeth, gums, and mouth.
For example, if you experience jaw pain, speak with your dentist about it. JS Dental Lab offers a jaw pain origin guide here. If you understand the pain’s potential causes, you have more preparation for your dental appointment.
Conclusion
If you experience symptoms of gingivitis, several home remedies exist to treat it. Using proper teeth brushing technique is often enough to fix it. The goal is to prevent plaque, bacteria, and the film from coating your teeth for an extended time.
When symptoms persist, it’s a sign that something more serious is happening in your mouth. Contact your dentist to schedule an exam.
