Home Remedies for Gum Disease

A periodontal disease can be described as any condition affecting your gums as well as the other structures that support your teeth. In most instances, a gum infection is not a very serious health condition. However, an infection in the gums could lead to a lot of pain, discomfort and other problems such as bleeding, toothache, swelling, tenderness, bad breath and inflammation. Gum problems are not the same as tooth problems because your gums cannot be properly controlled by flossing, brushing and rinsing. However, healthy gums and teeth do go hand in hand, since they benefit each other when the right oral hygienic measures are followed.

Most instances of gum infections can be cured by a dentist quite easily. Treatment for gum infections may vary, depending on the severity and duration of the condition. Some of the gum diseases can get cured with medications, whereas others may require surgery. Given below are some of the cures that may be suggested for a gum infection. These include –

Non-surgical treatments

Antibiotics
Incision draining
Professional dental cleaning
Scaling and root planning

Surgical treatments

Bone graft
Bone surgery
Flap surgery or pocket reduction surgery
Guided tissue regeneration
Soft tissue graft

In addition to traditional dental treatment, you could also try using certain home and natural remedies to cure gum problems. Given below are some of the most commonly recommended home remedies for gum disease.

Sea salt: Dissolve a small amount of sea salt in a cup of warm water. Take a sip of the solution and swish it in your mouth for about half a minute, before spitting it out. Use this homemade mouthwash after brushing your teeth in the morning and at night. This remedy reduces swelling in the gums and draws the infection out of the abscesses.

Baking soda: This remedy does not directly relieve the symptoms of a gum infection, but it neutralizes the acids in the mouth, which in turn reduces the chances of tooth decay and gum disease. Take a cup of warm water and add a small amount of baking soda to it. Dip your toothbrush into this solution and then apply the paste, before brushing your teeth.

Tea bags: The tannic acid in used or soaked tea bags can be very effective in relieving gum infection. After steeping a tea bag in boiling water, allow it to cool for a while. Place the cooled tea bag on the affected part of your gum for about 5 minutes or so.

Honey: The antibacterial and antiseptic properties present in this remedy make it very effective in treating gum infections. After brushing your teeth, just rub a small amount of honey on the area of the gum that is problematic. Honey can be applied to the entire oral region also without any fear. However make sure that you do have too much of it.

Cranberry juice: Drinking up to 4 ounces of unsweetened cranberry juice can reduce gum infections by preventing bacteria from sticking to the teeth.

Lemon: The anti-inflammatory properties present in lemon juice can be quite helpful in the treatment of gum infections. Moreover, lemons contain vitamin C, which can enable your gums to fight off the infection. Squeeze the juice of a lemon and add a pinch of salt to it. Mix the lemon juice and salt well, so that it looks like a paste. Apply this paste on to your teeth and leave it on for a few minutes, before gargling with water.

While these home remedies are quite safe if used correctly, it is best to speak with a doctor before trying any of them. You could also try a few herbal remedies to treat gum infections. These herbs include –

Aloe Vera gel
Calendula tincture
Chamomile
Cinnamon oil
Clove oil
Echinacea
Garlic
Goldenseal
Hawthorn berry
Myrrh
Olive leaf extracts
Peppermint oilHowever, there are a few side effects associated with some of these natural remedies. Therefore, it is important for you to check with a doctor, before trying any of them. Also speak with your doctor about the right way in which these remedies should be used.

There are also several ways in which gum infections can be prevented. You could reduce your risks suffering from gum problems by –

Following a good dental care routine, which includes brushing your teeth twice a day, as well as using a mouthwash

Flossing your teeth or using an interdental cleaner, to get rid of food particles and bacteria from between the teeth

Scheduling regular appointments with the dentist and undergoing a professional cleanup at least once every 5 to 6 months.

Quitting unhealthy practices like smoking

Chewing your food thoroughly during mealtimes, in order to stimulate your gums

Restricting your intake of foods that are high in sugar, which could include sodas, juices, sweets, chocolates, candies, cookies, cakes and so on.

Increasing your intake of foods that are high in vitamins, minerals and nutrients such as calcium, folic acid and zinc.

In case your gum infection does not go away in spite of using home and natural remedies, speak to your dentist right away.

References

http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/GumDiseases/PeriodontalGumDisease.htm
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Gum_disease