Are your gums swollen? Do you see gum bleeding while brushing or flossing? In medical terms, this condition is referred to as periodontitis or gingivitis. A lot of people deal with this issue every now and then. Some bear it while some rush to the medical store for pills. This does cause pain and discomfort but if you are patient enough, we would suggest natural remedies for healthy gums. The idea is to relieve symptoms naturally without any drugs and side-effects. However, if you are diagnosed with gum disease, these remedies would only alleviate discomfort and not cure it.
What causes swelling in the gums?
Before giving out tips for swollen gums, let us tell you a brief about the causes and symptoms of swollen gums.
The common causes of swollen gums are:
- Gum injury
- Fungal or viral infections
- Phosphorous deficiency
- Gum sensitivity or allergy
- Problem due to dental fixtures
- Pregnancy
- Gingivitis(swelling due to plaque or tartar in mouth)
- Periodontitis(a severe form of gingivitis)
Here is the list of symptoms that you may experience along if you have swollen gums:
- Red gums
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Pain
- Gap between the teeth
Home Remedies for Healthy Gums
Swollen gums can be naturally relieved with these home remedies.
Also Read: Here Are The 3 Major Causes Behind Red Swollen Gums
Salt water rinse
This is probably the one-stop solution for all oral health problems. All you have to do is mix one tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Rinse your mouth with this mixture multiple times a day.
This remedy works as salty water helps in neutralising the pH in the mouth to soothe inflammation. It helps in reducing swelling caused due to allergies or sensitivities.
Clove oil massage
You must have heard about the effectiveness of clove oil for oral problems. Clove oil is an ancient remedy for a lot of minor issues. Clove oil is analgesic and antimicrobial in nature that makes it a sureshot aid for tooth pain.
Massaging your swollen gums with clove oil can provide relief. To alleviate pain, mix some black pepper powder in clove oil and apply it to your swollen gums. Do this multiple times a day until you get relief. You can also chew cloves but do not consume a lot of them as it might irritate your throat and stomach.
Ginger
We should declare ginger as a universal home remedy. Ginger possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can prove to be beneficial in reducing swelling and eliminating bacteria inside the mouth.
Mash one ginger and add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to it. Make a coarse paste and rub it on your gums. If you can, leave it for about 10 minutes and then wash your mouth. Doing this 2-3 times a day would make your pain and swelling banish.
Baking soda and turmeric
Mix a pinch of turmeric to a teaspoon of baking soda. Rub this powder on your swollen gums and massage gently. Rinse your mouth after this massage. Alternatively, you can also add baking soda to your toothbrush and brush your teeth. You can also make DIY toothpowder that works better than toothpaste. This remedy can be done twice a day without a second thought.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is tangy but it can very well soothe inflammation to help you get rid of swollen gums. In a glass of warm water, add one tablespoon of lemon juice. Gargle with this water twice daily until you feel relieved. Lemon has antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can effectively kill the pain or inflammation-causing bacteria while restoring pH balance.
Also Read: Here Are Some Unheard Benefits And Side Effects Of Chamomile Tea
Essential Oils
There are some essential oils that can aid swollen gums just like spearmint essential oil. For this remedy, you need to buy organic essential oils and mix some of them to get the right oil for oral health. We recommend using chamomile oil, peppermint essential oil and tea tree oil. Mix 2 drops of each in a glass of warm water and gargle with this water. For better outcomes, mix a drop of peppermint essential oil with your toothpaste and brush with it regularly. This ensures better gum health. The oils mentioned here are supremely effective when it comes to relieving oral issues. These have antimicrobial properties to eliminate all the bacteria and microbes thereby reducing pain and swelling.
NOTE: Use essential oil cautiously. These are concentrated and using excess amounts may trigger health issues.
Also Read: A Guide To Ingesting Essential Oils: Is It Safe Or Not?
Lawsonia Inermis or Henna Leaves
This is a new name, right? These are basically henna leaves(not the ones that you apply to your hair for colouring). Boil some of these leaves in a glass of water. After 15 minutes, strain the liquid and gargle with it. Doing this twice a day would bring relief in your condition and give you healthy gums. These leaves are antibiotic in nature and therefore extend to help in treating swollen gums.
Castor oil and camphor
This is a powerful combination that can shoo away your gum pain and discomfort in seconds. Don’t believe us? Mix one powdered camphor tablet in one teaspoon castor seed oil. Make a smooth paste and rub it on your swollen gums. Wash your mouth with warm water to get rid of the remaining oil from the mouth.
This remedy works as castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties whereas camphor is a potent analgesic. This amazing combination would improve your swollen gum condition.
Also Read: Reasons Why Regular Tongue Cleaning Is A Must Apart From Brushing Teeth
Babul Tree Bark
Talking about home remedies, babul tree bark is one of the best home remedies for swollen gums. All you need to do is boil a small bark of this medicinal tree and use this liquid as a mouthwash. You can rinse your mouth with this multiple times a day as it is safe. But do not ingest it as we couldn’t find any evidence supporting the safety of consumption of babul tree bark. This bark has antimicrobial compounds that can destroy bacteria in the mouth. If possible, chew babul bark for healthy gums and whiter teeth.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is a variety of salt that is considered to be healing in nature. This can also heal your swollen gums. Just mix one teaspoon of Epsom salt in one glass of warm water and gargle. Make this a habit until your gums become healthy again.
Turmeric paste
Mix one teaspoon turmeric powder with a half teaspoon of salt and half teaspoon of mustard oil. This is a magical paste for your gums. Massaging this herbal paste on your gums would soothe the inflamed gums and aid swelling, pain and discomfort.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix one teaspoon of ACV in one glass of water and rinse your mouth with this concoction. ACV has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe inflamed gums and neutralising the pH balance. This step would soothe your sore gums and you will be able to enjoy your favourite food without any problem.
These are natural remedies for swollen gums. These can only decrease the pain or reduce swelling. None of these remedies guarantee treatment. If swollen gums are due to any underlying oral or gum condition, you may not get relief with these remedies. In such cases, consult a dentist to find the cause and receive medical aid. To keep oral issues at bay, it is better that you maintain oral hygiene. Brush twice daily and keep your mouth clean.
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