One of the oral health issues that dentists from dentalosogentle.com.au, have to treat often is gingivitis. Gingivitis is a periodontal disease that affects the gums and is often referred to generally as gum disease, it is not the only disease gums can suffer from.
There are two main types of gingivitis with one being caused by dental plaque irritating a person’s gums which then causes decolouration, inflammation and in the worst cases, pain. The second type of gingivitis is caused by infections from fungi, viruses, and bacteria, but not dental plaque.
Gingivitis Risk Factors And Prevention
Several risk factors exist that can make a person more prone to suffering from gingivitis than others. These risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Old Age
- Poor Nutrition
- Weakened Immunity
- Hormonal Changes
- Medical Conditions
- Dry Mouth
- Poor Oral Hygiene
That last risk factor tells us conversely what the main way to prevent gingivitis is, namely good oral hygiene. This includes following recommended daily routines for caring for gums and teeth, avoiding unhealthy foods, and visiting the dentist for regular check-ups.
Gingivitis Complications
If gingivitis is left untreated complications can set in, with the main one being a serious case of gum disease. If this spreads to other tissue, including the jaw bone, it can lead to tooth loss. A more severe form of gingivitis called trench mouth can lead to bleeding gums, ulcers, widespread oral infections, and extreme pain
Medical research also suggests that there is a possibility that chronic gingivitis can have repercussions for a person’s general health. The bacteria responsible for gingivitis may potentially enter the bloodstream via infected gums and affect other organs within the body.
Home Remedies To Reduce Gingivitis
We hope by now you have already realised that gingivitis is an oral health problem that you want to avoid. Hopefully, if you follow the good oral health practice that we mentioned above, then you should avoid it. However, we also noted that there can be other causes, so if you want to avoid gingivitis or at least reduce it should it occur, what can you do?
Well, you could use any of the three home remedies below. Each of them is inexpensive to purchase or create and are easy to use given that you are either swishing them around in your mouth in the same way you would use mouthwash or gently applying them to your gums.
- Home Remedy #1 – Rinsing With Salt Water
An old favourite, but the reason that is so is that it works. Simply add three teaspoons of salt to a glass of lukewarm water, stir the salt in and then rinse the solution around in your mouth for at least thirty seconds. Do this three times a day and benefit from the salt water’s healing and disinfecting properties.
- Home Remedy #2 – Oil Pulling
This is an ancient cure that involves rinsing a mouthful of oil in your for up to 30 minutes. The most widely used oil is coconut oil. The coconut oil ‘pulls’ the bacteria and any other infections from your mouth when you spit it out. Always rinse your mouth with water several times after oil pulling.
- Home Remedy #3 – Turmeric Gel
This can be bought from most reputable pharmacies and is well-known as a treatment that has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, both of which are perfect for reducing gingivitis. All you do is apply some turmeric gel to your gums and leave it there for at least ten minutes. Rinse your mouth afterwards.
