28 Home Remedies to Treat Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a type of periodontal disease that causes inflammation of the gums and tissues surrounding the teeth. It is very difficult to diagnose it in its first stage and you may not even know that you are suffering from gingivitis until your gums move back causing indefinite destruction to your teeth. In the early stages of gingivitis, there is a build-up of plaque which causes the gums to swell and bleed when you brush your teeth. During this stage, the teeth are still attached to their sockets and there is no damage to the tissue. If left untreated, it will develop to periodontitis. This is when the gums pull away from the teeth. Plaque then begins to form in the space, and if ignored at this stage, the teeth can become loose and fall off. While plaque is the first cause of gingivitis and other medical conditions such as diabetes, HIV, pregnancy, menstruation, puberty, menopause and cancer can also lead to the spread of gingivitis.

As there is no pain associated with gingivitis, there are a few symptoms one can look out for including red and swollen gums, bleeding gums, bad breath, shifting teeth and pulling back of the gums away from the teeth. Oral hygiene is of utmost importance to prevent gingivitis, but there are plenty of home remedies one can try to treat gingivitis at its early stage.

Home Remedies for Gingivitis

1. Sea Salt Solution

Dissolve about ½ a teaspoon of sea salt in 1 cup of warm water. Drink, but do not swallow the solution, and swish it for half a second and then spit it out. Do this several times in a day, especially after meals.

2. Honey

After brushing your teeth in the morning, rub some honey on the infected gums.

3. Tea Bag Compress

After steeping a tea bag in water for a few minutes, do not throw away the bag. Let it cool down and then place it on the infected area for 5 to 6 minutes.

4. Lemon and Salt Paste

Mix together in a bowl ½ teaspoon of salt and the juice of 1 lemon. Apply the paste on your teeth and leave it on for a few minutes. Rinse it off by gargling with some warm water.

5. Cranberry Juice

Drink 4 glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice every day. This will keep the bacteria away from your teeth.

6. Baking Soda

Make a paste by mixing baking soda with a few drops of warm water. Brush your teeth with this paste. It will offset the acids that cause gum diseases.

7. Sesame and Coconut Oil

To cut loss of blood due to bleeding gums, simply massage the gums with sesame or coconut oil before brushing your teeth. Do this twice a day.

8. Clove Oil

Simply massage your gums with the oil to reduce the swelling of the gums.

9. Raw Vegetables

Eat 3 to 4 raw vegetables everyday to clean your teeth and restore the flow of blood.

10. Echinacea Extract

Add 1½ teaspoon of Echinacea extract to a glass of hot water and use it as a mouth wash. Echinacea helps reduce inflammation and, at the same time, strengthens immunity.

11. Rubbing Gums

Using your finger tips, rub your gums every morning before brushing your teeth. This motion helps circulate blood in the gums. Thus, prevents any form of oral disease.

12. Vitamin C

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables which are affluent in vitamin C or ask your pharmacists for some vitamin C supplements.

13. Mustard Oil

Mix a pinch of salt in 1 tablespoon of mustard oil, and apply it on the gums in circular motions. Keep doing this for 3 to 4 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water. Do this two times in a day until the swelling reduces.

14. Cayenne Powder

Sprinkle a bit of cayenne powder on your toothpaste every time you brush. This will help prevent periodontal disease and will also kill all the microorganisms in the mouth. 

15. Crunchy Organic Foods

Eat lots of crunchy organic foods as they cleanse the tooth enamel.

16. Fiber Rich Foods

Eat lots of whole grain, fruits and green vegetables which are rich in fiber. Not only does it improve your immunity, but also helps fight bacteria in the mouth.

17. Hydrogen Peroxide

Mix equal portions of drinking water and hydrogen peroxide. Swish it in your mouth but do not drink it. Repeat 4 to 5 times in a week.

18. Alum

Dissolve alum powder in 1 glass of drinking water. Use this water to rinse your mouth at least 3 times in a day. This effectively reduces the swelling of the gums.

19. Calcium

Calcium makes bones and teeth stronger. Make sure you intake ample calcium daily.

• Guava skin has a high content of vitamin C. Roast a ripe guava and sprinkle a bit of salt to it. Add a few drops of lemon juice and eat it. Alternatively, you can also chew guava leaves to reduce the swelling.
• Lemon juice is another good source of vitamin C. Take a glass of warm water and squeeze a lemon in it. Utilize it as a mouthwash after brushing.

20. Turmeric

Mix together 50 grams of turmeric powder, 2 teaspoons of alum powder, 100 grams of neem powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Rub the powder on your teeth and gums three times a day.

21. Cosmetic Clay

In a bowl, mix ¼ cup of cosmetic clay with some baking soda. Add a few drops of tea tree oil, 1½ cups of vegetable glycerin, 1/8 cup of powder sea salt and a few drops of myrrh solution to it. Store it in a cool and dry place and use it as toothpaste.

Herbal Remedies for Gingivitis

22. Kava Root and Myrrh Gum Powder

Mix equal portions of kava root powder and myrrh gum powder, 5 drops of any essential oil and 1 teaspoon of white oak bark solution to form a paste. Use this paste to brush your teeth daily.

23. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil works as an antibiotic and antiseptic agent. Apply a few drops of tea tree oil on your gums and rub it in circular motions.

24. Acacia Catechu

Acacia catechu has the ability to stop bleeding. Wash your hands and then apply the paste of this herb on the gums, make sure that you coat them evenly. Keep the paste for 2 minutes, and then rinse it off with warm drinking water.

25. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is an excellent remedy for curing gingivitis. It reduces the swelling in gums.

• Apply aloe vera cream on the affected area. Let it sit there for some time, and then wash it off with water.
• Extract the gel from an aloe vera leaf and apply directly on the affected area. Wash the gel off with drinking water.
• Mix aloe vera cream in a cup of warm water and swish it.

26. Mint Leaves

Soak a few mint leaves in water for about 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the leaves and use this liquid as a mouth wash.

27. Sage Powder

Add 1 tablespoon of sage powder to a cup of water and let it boil. Allow the liquid to cool down and then add a pinch of salt.  Drink this solution every day after brushing your teeth to soothe the inflamed gums.

28. Herbal Powder

Combine ¾ teaspoon of peppermint leaf powder, 2 teaspoons of white oak powder and 1/8 teaspoon of clove powder. Massage your gums with this powder on daily basis.

Do’s

• Do not rush while brushing. You must brush for two minutes daily in the morning and at night before going to bed.
• Always use a tongue cleaner after brushing.
• Floss your teeth to remove any bacteria that may have found its way into the mouth.
• Listerine mouth wash is ideal to remove any tiny bacteria present in the mouth.
• Visit your dentist on a regular basis.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat food rich in Vitamin E and C.

Don’ts

• Refrain from smoking.
• Do not stress.
• Cut down on sugar rich foods like fruit juices, sweets and white flour.