How You Can Treat Gingivitis At Home
Gingivitis is a gum disease that causes inflammation and irritation of the gums; redness and swelling also surface when gingivitis sets in. Gingivitis can be hard to detect as it is rarely painful. So even if you do not feel pain, do not assume that you are fine. Bad breath, receding gums, bleeding gums, and a change in the color of your gums from pink to red are other symptoms that can help you to identify the disease. It is important to take care of the disease as early as possible. If you ignore it for a long time, it can lead to a severe disease known as periodontitis.
What Causes Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is mostly caused by plaque buildup on the teeth. Plaque is a thick material that is composed of mucus, food debris and bacteria. If you fail to brush your teeth on regular occasions, plaque converts to calculus, which is just a hard deposit. It is this deposit that irritates the gums. The bacteria in the deposit infect the gums and force them to swell.
But besides plaque, there are other factors that may contribute to gingivitis. One factor that increases your chance of contracting gingivitis is unclean or ill-fitting of mouth appliances like bridges and dentures. People with misaligned teeth are also at a great risk of getting gingivitis. Some reasons may not even be related to your teeth. For instance, people who suffer from uncontrolled diabetes have a high chance of succumbing to gingivitis. Changes in the hormonal environment such as during pregnancy or puberty can also increase the chances of getting gingivitis; changes in the hormonal environment lead to an increase in gum sensitivity.
How Can You Treat Gingivitis?
If you can note the disease early enough, you can treat it before it advances to periodontitis. One way of taking care of your problem is by using turmeric paste. According to studies, turmeric is rich in compounds that can heal inflamed gums. To come up with the right medicine, mix turmeric (one teaspoon) with mustard oil (1/2 teaspoon) and salt (1/2 teaspoon). Apply the paste on your inflamed gums twice a day.
Prevention, though, is the ultimate cure. Maintain high standards of oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. Also, you can use a homemade herbal mouthwash after brushing your teeth in the morning to increase your chances of beating the disease. Rosemary is a good herb for dealing with gingivitis. In a pint mason jar, place two cups of boiling water and 4 ounces of rosemary. Allow the brew to steep for the night. In the morning, remove the plant material from your mouthwash. After you are done with brushing your teeth, swish the mouthwash in your mouth and spit it out.
For more information, contact a dentist in your area.
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