Table of contents:
- A choice of natural gingivitis medication that you can try at home
- 1. Salt water
- 2. Lemongrass oil mouthwash
- 3. Aloe vera mouthwash
- 4. Tea tree oil mouthwash
- 5. Guava leaf mouthwash
- 6. Cream of turmeric
- 7. Oil pulling
Gingivitis causes the gums to become inflamed and swollen and turn red. It is important to immediately treat gingivitis because if left untreated, this disease can cause periodontitis which can result in loose teeth on their own. If you have made an appointment for treatment at the nearest dentist, you can temporarily try the following natural gingivitis medications to relieve the pain.
Wait a minute. Before you try it, make sure you have done a good oral care first. If you don't take good care of your gums and teeth, even during pain, these natural remedies won't be able to cure your gingivitis. Maintaining good oral health is very important to treat gingivitis and other dental problems.
A choice of natural gingivitis medication that you can try at home
The home remedies described below are generally safe to use for all ages. However, seek medical advice before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have other medical conditions.
Here are some gingivitis medications that you can get at home.
1. Salt water
A study shows that salt water gargle can be very useful as a natural gum inflammation remedy. Salt water can soothe inflamed gums, reduce pain, reduce bacteria, remove food particles, and reduce bad breath.
How to use salt water to rinse your mouth by adding ½ to ¾ teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and mix well. Gargle for up to 30 seconds, discard the salt water, and repeat 2-3 times per day.
Using the salt water rinse too often or for too long can have a negative effect on tooth enamel. Long-term use can cause your teeth to erode because salt is a mixed acid.
2. Lemongrass oil mouthwash
Research in 2015 reported that lemongrass oil was effective at reducing plaque and gingivitis.
How to use lemongrass oil as a mouthwash by diluting 2-3 drops of lemongrass essential oil in a cup of water. Gargle for 30 seconds, remove the water from your mouth, and repeat 2-3 times per day.
Make sure to always dilute the citronella oil mouthwash, so as not to cause further irritation.
3. Aloe vera mouthwash
Research from 2016 found that aloe vera was just as effective as chlorhexidine in reducing plaque and gingivitis. Both of these methods can drastically reduce the symptoms of gingivitis.
The trick is to process fresh aloe vera (make sure it is 100 percent pure and first clean the sap) into juice. After that, rinse your mouth with the juice for 30 seconds, and can be repeated 2-3 times per day.
If you have an allergic reaction to aloe vera, you should not use this ingredient as a mouthwash.
4. Tea tree oil mouthwash
According to a 2014 study, tea tree oil mouthwash can drastically reduce bleeding gingivitis.
To use tea tree oil mouthwash, you need to dilute tea tree oil by dropping three drops of tea tree oil into a cup of warm water. Do the gargle for 30 seconds, discard the mouth rinse, and repeat 2-3 times per day.
Tea tree oil must be diluted, as its natural form in high doses can cause an allergic reaction, or skin rash. Tea tree oil can also cause interactions with certain drugs, dietary supplements, and spices.
In addition, you can also add a drop of tea tree oil to toothpaste when brushing your teeth.
5. Guava leaf mouthwash
Guava leaves have long been an effective treatment used to treat oral hygiene. The antimicrobial properties of guava mouthwash can control plaque.
Guava leaf mouthwash can also reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and freshen breath.
To use guava leaves as a mouthwash, boil the crushed guava leaves (about 5-6 guava leaves). Then let the solution cool, and add a little salt. Use this solution as a mouthwash for 30 seconds, discard the rinse, and repeat 2-3 times per day.
6. Cream of turmeric
A 2015 study reported that turmeric cream was able to effectively prevent plaque and gingivitis. This is due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric also has antimicrobial properties that can help heal bleeding and irritated redness of the gums.
7. Oil pulling
Oil puling is a technique of gargling with virgin coconut oil for 30 minutes. Coconut oil can reduce plaque-causing bacteria and symptoms of gum inflammation.
The trick is to scoop out two tablespoons of coconut oil, put it in your mouth and gargle for 30 minutes. Make sure to reach each side of the gum and deepest tooth area using the tongue. Discard after 30 minutes, and cover with a glass of water. After that, clean your teeth as usual, with toothpaste and a toothbrush.
Gargling that long might make you nauseous at first, so you can do it in a shorter time the first time you try.
If you experience symptoms that get worse, such as severe pain or bleeding, or if your gingivitis doesn't get better with this natural gingivitis medicine, see your dentist immediately.
