8 Natural Remedies To Treat Gum Disease

Gum disease affects 20%-50% of individuals worldwide (1). It is not only painful to deal with but is also of cosmetic concern among many as gum disease often leads to tooth loss if treatment is not availed promptly. How can you manage this condition? Will home remedies be of any help? Continue reading to find out.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a generally used term for periodontal disease or periodontitis. It is caused by bacterial growth in the mouth, and if not treated on time, it can also result in tooth loss due to the destruction of the surrounding tissue.

Gum disease is almost always preceded by gingivitis or inflammation of the gums. However, not all cases of gingivitis lead to gum disease.

The following are the most common factors known to trigger gum disease.

What Causes Gum Disease?

One of the primary causes of gum disease is the build-up of plaque, a sticky film that coats your teeth and contains bacteria. Other factors that could contribute to the development of gum disease include:

• Hormonal changes
• Medical conditions like cancer, HIV, and diabetes
• Anticonvulsant medications like Dilantin and anti-angina drugs like Procardia and Adalat
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Poor oral hygiene practices
• A family history of dental diseases

If not treated on time, gum disease can cause severe toothache and other oral issues like cavities. And before you know it, your teeth may begin to fall out. It is, therefore, best to avail medical treatment immediately if you are dealing with severe cases of gum disease.

However, mild to moderate cases of gum disease can be easily managed and even reversed using a few all-natural remedies.

1. Green Tea

Green tea is a rich source of catechins like epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG helps in treating gum disease by reducing inflammation of the gums and limiting bacterial growth in the mouth (2).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of green tea
• 1 cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of green tea to a cup of hot water.
2. Steep for 5-7 minutes and strain.
3. Allow the tea to cool a bit.
4. Use a straw for drinking the tea.

How Often You Should Do This

You can drink green tea two times daily.

Caution: Green tea contains caffeine, which may stain your teeth in the long run. Hence, do not consume it more than two times daily.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can reduce plaque and oral bacterial growth, which can assist in the treatment of gum disease (3).

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide
• ½ cup of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add a tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide to half a cup of water.
2. Mix well and use the solution to rinse your mouth for a few seconds.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once daily, preferably right after brushing your teeth.

3. Warm Salt Water

Rinsing your mouth with salt water is an effective way to treat gum disease as it can help reduce plaque and bacterial growth in the mouth (4).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of table salt
• 1 cup of warm water

What You Have To Do

1. Dissolve a teaspoon of table salt in a cup of warm water.
2. Mix well and use the mixture to rinse your mouth.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 2-3 times daily.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) exhibits bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing plaque and gingivitis (5). Hence, it can also help in the treatment of gum disease.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 cup of water

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of baking soda to a cup of water.
2. Mix well and use it as a mouth rinse daily.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 1-2 times daily.

5. Oil Pulling

Oil pulling with coconut and sesame oils can be used to treat gum disease as it can help in reducing plaque build-up and inhibiting oral bacterial growth (6).

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil

What You Have To Do

1. Swish a tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil in your mouth for 10-15 minutes.
2. Spit the oil and carry on with your usual oral routine.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once daily, preferably every morning before brushing your teeth.

6. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel can help in improving the symptoms of gum disease when applied topically or used as a mouth rinse. This improvement could be due to its potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities (7).

You Will Need

• An aloe vera leaf
• Water (optional)

What You Have To Do

1. Extract the gel from an aloe vera leaf.
2. Whisk it a little with a fork.
3. Apply the gel to the periodontal pockets or inflamed gums.
4. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and rinse it off with water.
5. You may also blend the aloe gel with water and use it as a mouth rinse.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 1-2 times daily.

7. Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice exhibits inhibiting effects on periodontal bacteria and can thus help in the treatment and management of gum disease (8).

You Will Need

½ – 1 cup of unsweetened cranberry juice

What You Have To Do

1. Consume half to one cup of unsweetened cranberry juice.
2. You may also use unsweetened cranberry juice to rinse your mouth for a few seconds.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this once daily.

8. Guava Leaves

Guava leaves display antibacterial activities against oral bacteria and also help in the reduction of plaque (9). These properties can help in improving the symptoms of gum disease.

You Will Need

1-2 guava leaves

What You Have To Do

1. Cut the guava leaves into small pieces.
2. Chew on them for 30-60 seconds and spit it out.
3. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 1-2 times daily.

These remedies can help you manage gum disease to a great extent. However, not all of them are safe for kids as there is a risk of swallowing.

Listed below are some easy tips that can help in managing gum disease in children and adults alike.

How Can Gum Disease Be Managed?

• Help your little one start brushing their teeth from the age of 1 year.
• Brush and floss your teeth daily.
• Visit a dentist regularly (every few months).
• Limit the intake of starchy and sugary foods.
• Brush your teeth after every meal if possible.
• Adults can also quit smoking and using tobacco products.

You should also be more attentive to your diet as it can play a significant role in treating gum disease.

What Foods Are Good For Gum Disease?

The foods you eat can affect your periodontal health in more ways than you can imagine.

A diet that is low in carbohydrates and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin D, and fiber can help reduce inflammation of the gums and prevent worsening of gum disease (10).

Hence, you may consider consuming:

• Omega-3 rich foods: Fatty fish, nuts, and chia seeds.
• Vitamin C-rich foods: Citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables.
• Vitamin D-rich foods: Fish, eggs, and cheese.
• Fiber-rich foods: Whole grains, berries, broccoli, carrots, sweetcorn, peas, pulses, and potatoes.

Consuming more of these foods can help in reducing the symptoms associated with gum disease, such as inflammation.

Try out the above remedies along with the diet and management tips and let us know how it worked for you. For any further queries, get in touch with us using the comments box below.

Expert’s Answers for Readers Questions

When to see a doctor for gum disease?

If you notice that your gums are bleeding or swollen, it is best to seek medical intervention immediately instead of trying to treat the condition with home remedies. Other symptoms that should not be ignored are:
• Loose or separating teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Changes in the way your teeth fit together
• Pulling away of the gums from your teeth

Does gum disease cause bad breath?

Yes, persistent bad breath can be one of the main symptoms of gum disease or periodontitis.

Is gum disease associated with other health problems?

Yes, gum disease is associated with other health conditions like diabetes, heart and kidney disease, osteoporosis, HIV, and even cancer.

Is it possible to reverse gum disease?

It is possible to reverse gum disease in its early stages. However, in the later stages, when your gums and bones have been seriously damaged, gum disease is irreversible.

How is gum disease managed in pregnancy?

During pregnancy, women are at an increased risk of developing gum disease due to their fluctuating hormones, even if their oral hygiene practices have been consistent. Hence, it is suggested that pregnant women be more careful during this phase of their lives.

Which is the best toothpaste to prevent gum disease?

Oral-B and Sensodyne are two brands of toothpaste that show optimum benefits in managing gum disease. If you are looking for natural alternatives, baking soda is a great option.

Does Listerine help with gum disease?

Listerine is a mouth rinse that helps in killing oral bacteria and reducing plaque formation. Hence, it can help in treating gum disease.

Can gum disease affect high blood pressure?

Yes, gum disease and high blood pressure share multiple common risk factors. Individuals with high blood pressure are often found to be dealing with gum disease, and vice versa (11).

Is gum disease contagious?

Gum disease is usually not contagious. However, sharing saliva with someone through activities like kissing can increase the likelihood of transmitting the disease-causing bacteria.

What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?

Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease or periodontitis. It leads to the inflammation and bleeding of gums and is often reversible.

Periodontitis is the later stage of gum disease, which results in permanent damage and bone loss. It is irreversible.

References

1. “Prevalence of periodontal disease, its association with systemic diseases and prevention” International Journal Of Health Sciences, US National Library Of Medicine.
2. “Green tea: A boon for periodontal and general health” Journal Of Indian Society Of Periodontology, US National Library Of Medicine.
3. “Hydrogen peroxide: a review of its use in dentistry.” Journal Of Periodontology, US National Library Of Medicine.
4. “Comparative evaluation of salt water rinse with chlorhexidine against oral microbes: A school-based randomized controlled trial.” Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, US National Library Of Medicine.
5. “Baking soda dentifrice and periodontal health: A review of the literature.” Journal of the American Dental Association, US National Library Of Medicine.
6. “Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene – A review” Journal Of Traditional And Complementary Medicine, US National Library Of Medicine.
7. “Aloe vera: Nature’s soothing healer to periodontal disease.” Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology, US National Library Of Medicine.
8. “Inhibitory effect of cranberry extract on periodontopathogenic biofilm: An integrative review” Journal Of Indian Society Of Periodontology, US National Library Of Medicine.
9. “Psidium guajava: A review on its potential as an adjunct in treating periodontal disease” Pharmacognosy Reviews, US National Library Of Medicine.
10. “An oral health optimized diet can reduce gingival and periodontal inflammation in humans – a randomized controlled pilot study” BMC Oral Health, US National Library Of Medicine.
11. “Is There an Association between Periodontitis and Hypertension?” Current Cardiology Reviews, US National Library Of Medicine.

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Author

Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.

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