How To Naturally Treat Inflamed Gums?
Healthy gums are very important to your oral health. The gums are made of thick, fibrous pink tissues which cover your jawbone.
Inflammation will begin from the area where the gum meets the teeth. The inflamed gums will tend to hide the parts of your teeth. These swollen gums may bulge out sometimes. They appear red, while normal gums are pink in color.
Inflamed gums are also called gingival swelling. You may feel irritation, sensitiveness and pain in your gums. Sometimes you may notice bleeding from your gums while brushing your teeth. These symptoms are the signs of serious gum diseases.
If you want to make your gum healthy, you first need to diagnose your problem and seek relevant medical assistance on time.
What Causes Inflamed Gums?
Some of the main causes listed here will lead to the inflammation of your gums and other gum diseases.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the main cause of swollen gums. It is a gum disease that causes your gums to become swollen and irritated. Most people are unaware of the early symptoms of gingivitis. If it is left untreated, it may cause tooth loss and a serious problem called periodontitis.
Gingivitis happens due to poor oral hygiene, which allows the bacteria to deposit plaque on the gum line and teeth. If plaque has not been removed from the teeth, it will be converted into tartar.
Tartar is the hardest form of plaque. You can't remove it with flossing and brushing. Long term presence of tartar will lead to gingival recession.
Pregnancy
Swelling of gums will also occur during the pregnancy. The changes in the hormonal level in your body will increase the blood flow into your gums. This increased level of blood onto your gums will cause swelling of gums.
These hormonal changes will make your immune system weak and increase the chances of developing gingivitis.
Malnutrition
You have a diet deficient in vitamin B and C, which causes swelling in your gums. Vitamin C will help to maintain and heal your gums and teeth. If your body doesn't produce enough vitamin C, it may lead to scurvy.
Scurvy also causes anemia and other gum diseases.
Similarly, Malnutrition is more common in less developed countries. It's more often present in older adults.
Infection
Sometimes injection caused by viruses and fungi will also lead your gums to swollen. If you are suffering from herpes, it will cause acute swollen gum disease.
Thrush, caused by an overgrowth of naturally occurring yeast in your mouth, can also lead to swollen gums.
Untreated dental decay can cause localized gum swelling, which is called a dental abscess.
What are the Treatments for Inflamed Gums?
Medical Treatment
If you observe that your gums are inflamed for some weeks, you should immediately consult your dentist. Your doctor will perform the early diagnosis process. Sometimes X-rays of the mouth will also be prescribed; a blood test will also be performed to check whether you have any other changes in your body.
Based on your swollen gums, the dentist will prescribe oral rinses, which will help you to stop gingivitis and minimize plaque deposition. Your dentist will also suggest to you some specific kind of toothpaste and mouthwashes. Sometimes antibiotics are also prescribed.
In serious cases of gingivitis, you are suggested to undergo surgery. One of the most common treatments to cure serious acute diseases is to perform scaling and root planing. In this treatment, the dentist will treat diseased gums, remove plaque or tartar on the roots of teeth, while allowing the gums to heal rapidly.
Sometimes dentists will suggest grafting, regeneration and pin-hole surgery to recover your gums from inflammation. Sometimes only antibiotics will be enough to treat your inflamed gums.
Home Treatment for Inflamed Gums
Treating the swollen gums at home is the best way to get off swollen gums.
Some home care treatments are listed below:
Home Remedies for Inflamed Gums
Try to use these home remedies to get rid of your swollen gums:
Use of Saltwater Rinse
A saltwater rinse can minimize the gum swelling and stimulate rapid healing.
How to use:
➢ Mix one teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of warm water.
➢ Rinse your mouth with this saltwater solution for 30 seconds.
➢ Spit it out; do not swallow it.
➢ Repeat this process 2- 3 times a day until the swelling goes away.
Warm and Cold Compresses
The consumption of Warm and cold compresses can dismiss the pain and inflammation in your gums.
How to use:
➢ Soak a clean washcloth or towel in warm water, squeeze out the extra water.
➢ Place that warm cloth on the outer skin layer of your mouth, not directly on the gums
➢ Place it for about 5 minutes.
➢ For cold compress, take a washcloth or towel, put crushed ice in them and put it against your mouth for about 5 minutes.
➢ Repeat the warm/cold compress process 2 -3 times.
➢ Do these steps 2 - 3 times a day when you notice the initial signs of swollen gums.
Turmeric Gel
Turmeric comprises curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to many studies, turmeric gel will help to prevent plaque and gingivitis.
How to use:
➢ After brushing your teeth, rinse your mouth with fresh water.
➢ Apply turmeric gel to your gums.
➢ Let the gel settle down on your gums for about 10 minutes.
➢ pour fresh water into your mouth to rinse off the gel.
➢ Spit it out; do not swallow it.
➢ Repeat these step 2 times a day until the swelling goes away
Use of Hydrogen Peroxide
It is observed that you can get rid of red, sore, or inflamed gums by rinsing your mouth properly with a water and hydrogen peroxide solution. Use only 3% hydrogen peroxide solution only.
How to use:
➢ Mix 3 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide with three tablespoons of water.
➢ Graggle the solution around your mouth for about 30 seconds.
➢ Spit it out; do not swallow it.
➢ Repeat the steps 2 to 3 times a week until your gums recover from inflammation.
Use of Essential Oils
Peppermint, tea tree and thyme oil are very active in preventing the growth of disease-causing microorganisms in the mouth.
How to use:
➢ Mix three drops of peppermint, thyme, or tea tree essential oil with 1 cup of warm water.
➢ Rinse your mouth with the mixture around for about 30 seconds.
➢ Spit it out; do not swallow it.
➢ Repeat this step 2 times a day until the swelling goes away.
Aloe vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is as effective as chlorhexidine. It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also prescribed by the dentist to treat and prevent gingivitis.
How to use:
➢ Gargle two tablespoons of aloe vera into your mouth.
➢ Spit it out; do not swallow it.
➢ Do this two times a day for about ten days.
Oral Anaesthetic Gels
The oral anesthetic gels contain natural ingredients that will help reduce the swelling of your gums and protect you from receding gums.
Oral gels contain cloves and spilanthes, and Anbesol, which helps in relieving pain from your gums.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a famous oil for its anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. It will help to give you pain and swelling-free gums.
How to use:
➢ put few drops of oil in one glass of water
➢ rinse your mouth with this mixture
➢ Repeat this process 2-3 times for about 5 minutes regularly.
➢ you can also use a toothpaste that contains tea tree oil
Outlook
Inflamed gums are common these days. You can't diagnose its early signs on its own. When you feel pain, bleeding and redness, then you will notice that you have inflamed gums.
But you don't need to be worried. You can make your gums healthy by taking some precautionary measures.
The use of home or natural remedies will help you a lot to get rid of inflamed gums. When the condition becomes uncontrollable, you should go to your dentist immediately. The inflamed gums are the initial step that may lead to many other gum diseases.
Just by taking preventive measures, you can save yourself from many gum diseases, including receding gums. When conditions worsen, please make an appointment with your dentist; he will guide you properly and timely. Don't ignore the initial symptoms of your gum disease.
Just by taking extra care, you can regain your healthy smile and become more confident.
