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Gingivitis is a common oral disease which causes bleeding and swelling in the gums. Use this list of home remedies to effectively treat and cure your gingivitis and improve your overall oral health.

What Are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?

The most common symptoms of gingivitis include: 

• Bleeding gums,
• Puffy or swollen gums,
• Pain in your gums,
• Receding gums, and
• Bad breath.

Healthy gums should fit tightly around your teeth. They are firm, pink, and shouldn’t ever hurt. If you’re showing signs of gingivitis, use this list of home remedies to ease your discomfort and cure the condition.

Home Remedies for Gingivitis:

Salt Water

Add 1 tablespoon of salt into a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly. Repeat this process first thing in the morning and before you go to bed. This method is also recommended after every meal.

Salt water is one of the most common remedies for mouth and gum disease. Salt water, also known as saline solution, neutralises the mouth’s pH level and has anti-inflammatory properties which reduce gum swelling.

Clove Oil

Clove is a fantastic home remedy for all kinds of oral diseases. The antimicrobial properties of clove oil will reduce the swelling in your gums, while its analgesic qualities will also alleviate pain and discomfort.

Apply 2-3 drops of clove oil onto your finger and gently rub it into your gums. You can also chew on raw cloves to reduce the pain.

Do this every 4 hours.

Ginger

Crush a small piece of ginger with half a teaspoon of salt until you have a paste. Rub this on your gums and leave for 10 minutes. 

Ginger’s antioxidants will reduce inflammation and ease the pain. Do this 3 times a day and rinse your mouth with warm water afterwards. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda is another product commonly used to alleviate oral disease. Baking soda is both an antibacterial and an antiseptic, making it an ideal home remedy for gingivitis. 

Brushing your teeth with baking soda is a great way to relieve gum pain and reduce swelling. You can also add turmeric to speed up the healing process. 

Lemon Juice

Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to a glass of warm water and rinse out your mouth twice per day.

The antimicrobial properties of lemon juice will reduce swelling and reduce the spread of gum infection. The acidity found in lemon will also balance the pH levels of your mouth. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water and rinse for 15 seconds.

Doing this 3 times every day to reduce gum swelling and inflammation.

Vanilla Extract

Put 1-2 drops of vanilla extract and gently apply to your gums twice a day. 

Vanilla extract is an antiseptic that can also be used to alleviate gum pain. 

What’s the Fastest Way to Cure Gingivitis?

The fastest way to cure gingivitis is to practise good oral hygiene and keep your teeth, gums, and mouth clean and healthy. 

The best ways to do this include:

• Brush your teeth twice per day with a soft-bristled toothbrush;
• Floss your teeth every day;
• Use a fluoride-based mouthwash; and
• Avoiding sugar.  

How Long Does It Take for Gingivitis to Go Away?

Gingivitis usually takes between 10-14 days to go away if treated correctly. 

While this is a common estimate, more severe cases of gingivitis and gum disease can take longer to treat. Gum infections can be quite serious and may have longer-term health effects, which is why it is so important to prevent gum disease through proper and consistent dental hygiene practices.  

What Happens When Gingivitis Goes Untreated?

If left untreated, gingivitis can spread to mouth tissue and bone. This condition is called periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a severe oral disease which can lead to serious health complications, including:

• Tooth loss,
• Gum decay,
• Respiratory complications,
• Diabetes, and
• Increased risk of stroke.

Severe cases of gingivitis can also lead to ‘trench mouth’ (also known as necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis), a serious oral infection which causes painful ulcerations inside your mouth.

What Causes Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is caused by a buildup of plaque in your mouth. You can reduce the risk of gingivitis by practising effective oral hygiene and managing your diet. 

Gum disease stems from bacteria found in plaque, however, certain foods increase plaque buildup faster than others. 

You can reduce the amount of plaque in your mouth by limiting:

• Sugary drinks,
• Coffee,
• Alcohol,
• Acidic juice, and
• Foods that are high in starch.

If plaque is not removed daily, it can harden into a bacteria known as tartar. Tartar builds on your teeth underneath the gums and can only be removed by a professional.

Curing Gingivitis: The Bottom Line

While gingivitis is a relatively common gum disease, severe cases can lead to more serious health complications. This is why practising good oral hygiene is a very important part of preventing gum infections and disease.

Visiting a dentist is another vital part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy, which is why so many people choose Affinity Dental as their dental coverage provider.

Affinity Dental is dedicated to bringing you affordable and effective dental cover for yourself and your family. Contact Affinity Dental today to find out why we are South Africa’s leading dental cover provider.