There are a number of natural home remedies that you can try to treat a gum infection. While these treatments won’t cure your infection, they can help reduce the symptoms and ease your pain.
One of the oldest and most effective remedies is to rinse with salt water. Rinsing with lukewarm saltwater will reduce inflammation and discomfort.
What is Gum Infection
A gum infection is an inflammation of the soft tissues that surround and support your teeth. It can occur when you have poor oral hygiene or if plaque build-up isn’t removed by regular brushing and flossing.
Gum infections are a common problem and can be hard to detect, but they’re usually painless if treated early on. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to more serious issues such as tooth loss.
If your gums are red, swollen or bleed easily, it’s best to see a dentist. Your dentist may use a dental probe to check for pockets between your teeth and the gums, or look at x-rays of your mouth.
Rinse your mouth with a mixture of salt water several times daily to help reduce swelling and pain. This helps kill bacteria that’s causing the infection and prevents them from coming back.
Another way to reduce gum infections is to swish a solution of hydrogen peroxide in water. This solution can help eliminate tartar and sooth sore gums.
Clove oil is also an effective home remedy for swollen gums. It has anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties that help fight gum problems.
If you have a severe gum infection, your dentist will recommend treatment options. Treatments such as root planing and scaling, or a gingivectomy can be used to treat the infection and heal it. Your dentist will decide on the right option for you based on the severity of your condition and your personal risk factors.
Causes of Gum Infection
A gum infection is caused by a buildup of bacteria within the tissues around your teeth. This causes inflammation and pain. The infection is generally a result of poor oral hygiene and can be treated by implementing some simple home remedies.
Brushing, flossing and rinsing your mouth daily are all essential in preventing and treating a gum infection. These habits help remove leftover food and plaque to prevent bacterial growth, which leads to the development of tartar, and can cause gingivitis.
Other common causes of gum disease include bad diet, smoking, and using dentures or bridges that are not fitted properly. This can lead to gum inflammation and infection, which is why it’s important to see a dentist regularly for treatment of any oral health problems.
The most common form of gum disease is gingivitis, which involves swelling and redness of the gums. This is the early stage and can be treated with a few simple home remedies.
However, if left untreated, this can lead to periodontitis, which is an advanced form of gum disease that requires more aggressive treatment. This can cause bone loss, pain, and bleeding in the gums.
Fortunately, there are many simple and affordable home remedies you can use to treat gum infection. Some of these include:
Home Remedies For Gum Infection
There are some home remedies that can be used to treat gum infections. These are simple to use, safe and can be effective in reducing pain and swelling.
Using a cold compress on a sore gum can reduce inflammation and help to relieve the pain. You can make a compress by wrapping ice in a clean towel or washcloth.
Another way to soothe swollen gums is to apply garlic paste to the area. Garlic is known to have antimicrobial properties, which can prevent the growth of bacteria and kill them.
You can also use clove oil to reduce swelling and pain in the gums. The oil can be applied directly to the gums or it can be mixed with water to form a gel. You can swish it around your mouth for about thirty minutes.
Swishing a mixture of equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water in your mouth can also reduce the pain of gum infection. This can be done a few times a day.
Drinking herbal teas like Fenugreek and Goldenseal can also be helpful for reducing swollen gums. They have antibacterial properties and can be easily found in grocery stores.
Swishing warm saltwater can also help to reduce swollen gums by removing bacteria from the mouth and causing fluids to move away from the area. Salt helps to prevent bacteria from growing and can also eliminate pain.
Natural Ways To Help Gum Infection
If you’re suffering from a gum infection, there are some natural ways that you can help treat the problem. These treatments can relieve your pain and reduce inflammation.
The first option is to use hydrogen peroxide, which has antibacterial properties. It can be swished around your mouth and spit out, two or three times a day. However, make sure you get a low-concentration hydrogen peroxide (like 3% or 35%). It may cause damage to your gum tissue if used in concentrated form.
Another effective home remedy is to apply baking soda on the infected tooth and gums. This can help kill bacteria and remove plaque. You can do this by mixing a half tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of water and swish it in your mouth.
Tea is also an effective home remedy for a tooth infection because it contains tannins that kill bacteria and help reduce inflammation. Steep a tea bag in boiled water for a few minutes and then apply it on your teeth for up to five minutes.
Essential oils, such as thyme oil and clove oil, can also be helpful for a tooth infection. These oils are often used for medicinal purposes and can be very helpful in relieving pain and inflammation from a tooth infection.
Another remedy is to try oil pulling, which involves swishing a small amount of olive oil, coconut oil, or oregano oil in your mouth for 30 minutes a day. It’s believed that it can help reduce pain, bacteria, and bad breath.
When to see a dentist
If you are experiencing any type of pain or discomfort in your teeth, make an appointment to see a dentist. It is important to determine the cause of your pain so that a proper treatment plan can be developed.
Besides tooth pain, your dentist may be able to identify other non-dental issues that could be causing your symptoms. For example, if you have jaw pain that is accompanied by redness or swelling over a large area of the gums and skin in your mouth, this should be evaluated.
The redness of your gums can be a sign of gingivitis or an abscess. These are very serious dental health problems that require immediate attention.
Your dentist will be able to prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection and provide a plan for the appropriate treatment. Your dentist may also recommend a procedure called root planing to remove bacteria from your roots.
You should also visit your dentist if you have bad breath that won’t go away with regular brushing and flossing. Bacteria in your mouth can lead to a buildup of plaque, which can cause gum disease.
Gum disease can be painful, but it is a relatively mild condition that usually clears up within a week or two. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to more serious problems like periodontitis. This severe form of gum disease can destroy the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth.
Conclusion
Some of the best home remedies for gum disease involve simple, inexpensive items from your kitchen cabinet. One of the best options is a salt water rinse, which can help reduce inflammation and kill germs on contact. Another is a do-it-yourself ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth.
A good oral massage using aloe vera gel and a bit of vitamin E-rich olive oil is also a time-honored gum disease remedy that’s easy to do at home. The gel has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help your gums heal faster. The trick is to do this at least once a day and if possible, twice. In addition to aloe vera, other natural treatments include garlic and chamomile teas, which are anti-inflammatory in nature. They have also been shown to kill bacteria and reduce swelling. You can also try baking soda, which is a good antibacterial agent on its own. The best part is it’s cheap and readily available. However, you should still visit your dentist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Your dentist will be able to give you the best advice on what to do next, especially in the case of an infection.