Home remedies are popular these days to promote health and wellness. When people have bleeding or painful gums, they sometimes seek ways to soothe their gums at home rather than see a dentist.
A quick Google search may lead you to many ideas for taking care of your gum health at home. But does any of it work? Well, we are here to help answer some of the most common questions about how you can be part of the fight against gum disease.
How Can I Fight Gum Disease at Home?
The best way to fight gum disease is to prevent it in the first place. Bacteria that forms in your mouth daily can cause gum disease, which is why good brushing & flossing is so important. If you already have any level of gum disease, what you do at home becomes even more important.
While home remedies cannot fix periodontitis, the gum infection that damages your gum tissue and jawbone, you can improve discomfort associated with it by establishing a faithful home care routine that includes:
- Brushing with a soft toothbrush or power toothbrush twice a day for two minutes.
- Cleaning in-between your teeth using floss, interdental brushes/picks, or water flossers.
- Rinsing with an antibacterial rinse especially before bedtime.
- Practicing lifestyle choices that reduce your risks such as quitting smoking, reducing stress, and eating a healthy diet.
Can I Treat Gum Recession at Home?
Although some online ads may claim to be able to fix gum recession naturally, your gums cannot regrow on their own. With that said, you can take steps to ensure that your gum recession doesn’t get worse by practicing a home care routine that is thorough but gentle on your gums.
Some tips that can help you stabilize your gum recession can include:
- Always using a soft toothbrush
- Limiting brushing to 2-3 times per day
- Never brushing too hard or scrubbing
- Brushing slowly & gently for 2-minutes, giving equal time to all locations of your mouth
- Removing any tongue or lip oral piercings
- Never using metal picks around your gums
- Quitting or reducing use of tobacco products
What is the Best Home Remedy for Gum Disease?
While there is no home remedy to cure gum disease, patients may want more natural products to help fight the bacteria and reduce inflammation. While many sources claim to help your gums naturally, many lack peer-reviewed research to back those claims.
Here are some common ‘home remedies’ and linked information:
While anecdotal evidence may show some positive results from home remedies, they all lack the clinical evidence of peer-reviewed research to show they fight gum disease. Because of that, the American Dental Association does not recognize them as reliable dental hygiene practices. However, none show any serious side effects if used as directed.
If you are considering trying a ‘home remedy’, it is always best to consult your dental professional for advice before using it to make sure that they are safe for you.
What is the Takeaway about Gum Care at Home?
It’s important to stress that homecare tips do not replace regular professional dental visits and cleanings. And if you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, your gum infection will only worsen without professional periodontal treatment!
But, you can be an important partner in the fight against gum disease by establishing a good oral homecare routine that will complement your professional dental care. Although some home remedies may anecdotally work for some, you want to make sure that they are safe. The best way to ensure safe at-home gum treatments is to ask your periodontist or dental hygienist about the home remedies that you have found.
As always, dental professionals want you to be part of the team to fight your gums disease and are always ready to answer your questions. If you have signs or symptoms of gum disease, consult your dentist or call a periodontist for a full gum evaluation today!