14 Effective Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Gingivitis

Gum soreness or gingivitis can be really excruciating. Due to this discomfort, you cannot drink or eat anything or even speak properly. To relieve you from this trauma, we have explained how to get rid of gingivitis here.

It is critical to pay attention to your dental health to prevent gingivitis. Gingivitis, or gum soreness, is a prevalent dental ailment these days. It is a painful periodontal condition that affects the gums. Gums that are inflamed and bleeding, as well as gums that begin to retreat from the teeth, are signs of periodontitis. But first, let’s talk about gingivitis.

The symptoms are frequently too subtle to be detected, but when they do appear, the agony can be excruciating. If left untreated, this condition can cause a great deal of discomfort as well as subsequent difficulties (1). Let’s take a look at what causes this gingivitis and how to treat it. Scroll down!

What Are The Causes Of Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is caused by plaque build-up in the teeth, which is basically a build-up of bacteria (1). This plaque is made up of bacteria, food debris, and mucus. Poor dental hygiene is one of the main reasons for plaque build-up, which leads to gingivitis. Other factors that increase the risk of gingivitis include:

• Hormonal changes during pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Infections or systemic diseases (that affect the entire body)
• Certain medications like birth control pills (2)

If you are already suffering from gingivitis, going to the dentist is not the only solution. There are many home remedies that can relieve the pain. Here’s a list of the top home remedies for gingivitis that can provide relief from this painful condition.

How To Get Rid Of Gingivitis At Home

1. Saline Gargles For Gingivitis Relief
2. Aloe Vera Gel For Gingivitis
3. Baking Soda To Get Rid Of Gingivitis
4. Clove For Gingivitis Relief
5. Cranberry Juice For Gingivitis
6. Lemon Juice For Gingivitis
7. Mustard Oil And Salt For Gingivitis
8. Cayenne Powder For Gingivitis
9. Sage For Gingivitis
10. Alum Gargles To Get Rid Of Gingivitis
11. Listerine For Gingivitis
12. Coconut Oil To Get Rid Of Gingivitis
13. Tea Tree Oil For Gingivitis Relief
14. Green Tea For Gingivitis

Gingivitis Home Remedies

1. Saline Gargles For Gingivitis Relief

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon table salt
• A glass of warm water

What You Have To Do

1. Prepare a solution by mixing the salt in water.
2. Gargle with this solution after you brush your teeth.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this 3-4 times in the day, especially after your meals.

Why This Works

Salt water is an antibacterial (3). It soothes the gums and helps to reduce the swelling caused due to gingivitis (4).

2. Aloe Vera Gel For Gingivitis

You Will Need

An aloe leaf

What You Have To Do

1. Cut the leaf sideways and transfer the gel present inside to a container.
2. Apply a layer of this gel on the affected gums.
3. You can either leave it on or gargle after a few minutes with plain water.

Store the rest of the aloe gel in an airtight container.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply aloe vera gel twice a day.

Why This Works

The application of aloe vera gel on the gums can help you get rid of inflamed gums as well as bacteria build-up. This is because aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory and healing compounds (5).

3. Baking Soda To Get Rid Of Gingivitis

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Water

What You Have To Do

1. Add enough water to the baking soda to make a paste.
2. Apply this paste on the gums with clean fingers.
3. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and then rinse your mouth.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this once or twice a day.

Why This Works

This remedy will go a long way in fighting the bacteria that cause gingivitis. Baking soda neutralizes the pH in its surroundings and exerts bactericidal effects on the plaque-causing bacteria. It also cools and soothes the inflamed gums (6).

Caution

Be careful to not get any baking soda on your teeth. Multiple and repetitive applications of baking soda can damage the tooth enamel.

4. Clove For Gingivitis Relief

You Will Need

1-2 drops clove oil

What You Have To Do

1. Apply the essential oil directly on the inflamed gums.
2. Leave it on.

You can also place 2-3 clove pieces near the gums if you do not have clove essential oil.

How Often You Should Do This

Reapply clove oil 2-3 times in the day.

Why This Works

If we are talking about oral health, no list is complete without the mention of clove. Eugenol is the most active component found in clove, and it has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties (7).

5. Cranberry Juice For Gingivitis

You Will Need

Fresh or organic cranberry juice

What You Have To Do

Drink cranberry juice during the day. If the juice is too acidic for your teeth, dilute it with some plain water and then drink it.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink 2-3 glasses of cranberry juice in a day.

Why This Works

The consumption of sugar-free cranberry juice not only helps to reduce the multiplication of bacteria but also checks their spread, thus keeping gingivitis at bay. The proanthocyanidins present in cranberry juice prevent the bacteria from forming a biofilm on the teeth and gums. The juice also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that speed up the healing process of the bleeding and swollen gums (8).

6. Lemon Juice For Gingivitis

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• A cup of water

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the lemon juice with water and use this as a mouthwash.
2. Swish this solution in your mouth for 1-2 minutes and then spit it out.
3. Rinse your mouth clean with plain water.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this homemade mouthwash every morning and night until you get relief.

Why This Works

Lemon contains citric acid and ascorbic acid that exert antimicrobial effects on the oral bacteria (9).

7. Mustard Oil And Salt For Gingivitis

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon mustard oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the oil and salt.
2. Massage your gums with this for 2-3 minutes using your fingers.
3. Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to remove all traces of the oil.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this twice every day to get rid of gingivitis symptoms.

Why This Works

The inflamed gums can be soothed by massaging them with the mustard oil-salt mixture. Both these ingredients possess antimicrobial properties, and they will restore the health of your gums (10).

8. Cayenne Powder For Gingivitis

You Will Need

• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Cayenne powder

What You Have To Do

Add a pinch of cayenne powder to your regular toothpaste and brush your teeth with this.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this remedy every day until the gingivitis infection heals.

Why This Works

Cayenne powder relieves the discomfort caused by gingivitis and also prevents further gum problems by restricting the growth of bacteria. Capsaicin is the key component that is responsible for these effects (11, 12).

9. Sage For Gingivitis

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon sage powder
• A pinch of salt
• A glass of water

What You Have To Do

1. Boil the sage powder in water for a few minutes. Remove from the flame and add the salt. Mix well.
2. Once this solution has reached lukewarm temperature, rinse your mouth with it.

You can prepare a larger quantity of this herbal mouthwash and store it in a capped bottle.

Alternate Method

1. Brew some sage herbal tea by steeping a tablespoon of dried sage leaves in a cup of hot water.
2. Sip on this tea while it is warm.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this mouthwash every day, preferably twice a day.

Why This Works

Sage is often used to deal with oral inflammation, be it in the gums or the tooth cavity. When used for gingivitis, it treats the infection with its antimicrobial components and reduces the swelling as well (13).

10. Alum Gargles To Get Rid Of Gingivitis

You Will Need

• 1/2 teaspoon alum powder
• A glass of warm water

What You Have To Do

Dissolve the alum in water and gargle with it.

How Often You Should Do This

Rinse your mouth with this 2-3 times in a day.

Why This Works

Redness and swelling can be reduced by gargling with alum water. It works by killing the bacteria that has accumulated in your oral cavity and is causing gingivitis symptoms (14).

11. Listerine For Gingivitis

You Will Need

Listerine mouthwash

What You Have To Do

Use it as directed on the bottle.

How Often You Should Do This

Use Listerine twice a day.

Why This Works

This mouthwash that is commonly found in most bathrooms can help you a lot in dealing with oral infections. It contains the perfect combination of antimicrobial essential oils and antiseptics that cleanse your mouth thoroughly (15). The regular use of Listerine or a similar mouthwash will help prevent oral problems in the future.

12. Coconut Oil To Get Rid Of Gingivitis

You Will Need

• 1-2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
• Lukewarm water

What You Have To Do

1. Swish coconut oil in your mouth for 5-10 minutes.
2. Spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with lukewarm water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this every day, either in the morning or at night.

Why This Works

Oil pulling or oil swishing is gaining popularity for its cleansing and antimicrobial benefits. Coconut oil absorbs all the food debris and other impurities from your oral cavity. It also reduces the bacterial growth and swelling with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (16).

13. Tea Tree Oil For Gingivitis Relief

You Will Need

• 1-2 drops tea tree oil
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush

What You Have To Do

Place a drop or two of the essential oil on your toothpaste and brush as usual.

How Often You Should Do This

Use tea tree oil every day along with your regular toothpaste.

Why This Works

Tea tree oil is an antimicrobial essential oil that works against a variety of bacteria (17). Oral pathogens that cause gingivitis can be easily eliminated by simply including this oil in your daily dental care routine.

14. Green Tea For Gingivitis

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon green tea leaves
• A cup of hot water
• Honey (to taste/optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Steep the green tea leaves in hot water for 3-5 minutes.
2. Strain and add honey according to your preference.
3. Drink this herbal tea.

How Often You Should Do This

Have two cups of green tea every day.

Why This Works

Green tea is not only beneficial for a healthy metabolism and a detoxified body, but it also helps to keep the oral cavity in good health. It contains a plethora of free radical scavengers that ensure the teeth and gums are in prime health. It reduces inflammation and eliminates periodontal pathogens (18).

Now that you know how to get rid of gingivitis at home, what are you waiting for? The remedies in this article can prove to be a lifesaver and also a trip saver (to the dentist) if you use them as soon as you notice the first signs of gingivitis. Many of the remedies, like salt water gargle, lemon juice gargle, green tea, etc., can be included in your weekly routines to keep oral pathogens at bay. As they say, prevention is better than cure. Also, maintain a proper brushing routine – brush, floss, and mouthwash. These three steps can keep your oral cavity healthy and infection-free.

Do you have an oral hygiene routine? What steps do you follow? Do share with us in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is gingivitis contagious? Can I contract it through kissing?

Yes, the harmful bacteria can easily be transferred through saliva.

How do you know if you have gingivitis?

The signs and symptoms of gingivitis include:
• Tender and swollen gums
• Pain in the gums
• Bleeding from the gums while brushing or flossing
• Receding gums (gums pull away from the teeth)
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Heightened oral sensitivity to hot and cold food and drinks (19, 20)

What are the stages of gingivitis?

• Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease characterized by the above-mentioned symptoms.
• The second stage is periodontitis, where the bone and fibers that support your teeth are damaged beyond repair.
• Advanced periodontitis is the third stage in which the bone and fibers are completely destroyed, causing the teeth to shift.

How long does it take to cure gingivitis?

On an average, gingivitis takes 10-14 days to heal. The symptoms will be alleviated completely in two weeks.

Can gingivitis cause headaches?

The sore and swollen gums cause the pain to radiate from your jaws to your head. Headaches caused due to gingivitis are called Wisdom Tooth Headaches.

Can gingivitis cause cancer?

Any infection in the oral cavity, if not treated as soon as possible, can progress to an advanced stage in which the chances of it transforming into gum cancer or any other type of cancer increase.

Can gingivitis cause bad breath?

Yes, bad breath is often seen in people who suffer from gingivitis.

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Reviewer Author

Dr. Thomas ConnellyDDS

 

Practicing in Beverly Hills and Manhattan, with experience that spans more than 21 years and several Northeastern states, Dr. Thomas Connelly delivers world class dental aesthetics to patients from all walks of life. He is accredited by the American Society of Dental Aesthetics - the most prestigious and selective credentialing organization in the world for Aesthetic Dentistry - and is also a Fellow in the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics.

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Kushneet KukrejaHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Kushneet holds a postgraduate degree in biotechnology from Kingston University, London, and is an ISSA Certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition with 2 years of experience. Her scientific background, coupled with her passion for writing, propelled her towards content writing.

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