Are your gums red, swollen, puffy, or tender to the touch? Do you bleed when you brush and floss? Do you have persistent bad breath that doesn’t respond to oral hygiene? Then you might have gingivitis, or the beginning stage of gum disease. While the best thing for gingivitis is to go to your dentist for periodontal therapy in Hackettstown, there are a few things you can do to help relieve your symptoms in the meantime. Here are four of them.

1. Saltwater Rinse

Salt has natural disinfectant qualities and can even speed up the body’s natural healing processes. Studies have shown that rinsing with a saltwater solution can help relieve irritation caused by gingivitis. In order to use this rinse, follow these steps:

• Boil water, then pour it into a glass and let it cool until lukewarm
• Let ¾ tsp of salt dissolve in the glass of water
• Swish the saltwater rinse around in your mouth for a few seconds
• Spit it out
• Repeat this process up to three times a day until you get professional treatment from your dentist

2. Homemade Mouthwash

There are a few different kinds of mouthwash you can make at home that have been proven to alleviate gingivitis symptoms, including:

Lemongrass Oil Mouthwash

Dilute two or three drops of lemongrass oil in a glass of water. Swish it around in your mouth and spit it out up to three times daily.

Aloe Vera Mouthwash

As long as your aloe vera is pure, it does not need to be diluted. Just like other mouthwashes, swirl it around in your mouth and spit it out a few times a day.

Sage Mouthwash

Add two tablespoons of fresh sage or one tablespoon of dried sage to boiling water. Let it simmer for about ten minutes, then allow it to cool. Rinse with it as you would other mouthwashes.

3. Turmeric Gel

A 2015 study showed that turmeric may prevent damage from plaque buildup. Massage it onto your gums and leave it on for about ten minutes before rinsing with water and spitting it out.

4. Oil Pulling

Oil pulling entails swishing oil around in your mouth for up to half an hour. It may be able to reduce plaque buildup in the mouth that causes gingivitis. Put two teaspoons of oil in your mouth, swirl it around for 30 minutes, and then spit it out. Next, drink a glass of water before brushing your teeth clean. This can be done with any number of oils, such as coconut oil and arimedadi oil.

Although these remedies are great for temporarily reducing your symptoms of gingivitis, your best bet is to seek professional treatment from your dentist. Periodontal therapy in Hackettstown can cure your gingivitis before it progresses to full-fledged gum disease. In the meantime, though, try one of these remedies so you can carry on with your life without any pain.

About the Author

Dr. Ari Kakkar is a 2006 graduate of New York University’s College of Dentistry. He is proficient at many aspects of dentistry, including gum disease prevention and treatment. He believes that the vast majority of dental treatments can be performed in one office, so he will hardly ever have to refer you to an outside specialist. If you’re experiencing gingivitis symptoms, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Kakkar’s office at (908) 850-0005.