How To Heal And Protect Your Gums From Gum Disease

The condition of your gums is a good indicator of their health and the health of your teeth. Keeping your gums healthy is just as important as keeping your teeth clean and free of cavities, as gum inflammation can lead to Periodontal disease and tooth loss. Here are some tips to help you prevent and remedy inflammation and gum disease in your mouth.

Regular Prevention Habits

One of the best steps to keep your gum health in good shape is by preventing inflammation from occurring with regular and proper teeth cleaning. Brush your teeth twice a day, with a soft toothbrush. Gently brush the plaque from your teeth—don't scrub them, as this can cause your tooth enamel to wear away. Floss between your teeth to remove plaque along the gum line, and visit your dentist for regular cleanings. Regular dental cleanings ensure that any stuck on tartar is removed to prevent further gum irritation.

In taking these prevention steps, it can be helpful to know what causes gum inflammation. When plaque is left on your teeth because you don't brush regularly, it hardens and turns into tartar. As tartar sits on the gum line of your teeth, it irritates your gums, causing them to become swollen and to recede upward. This leaves a pocket in the gums where more plaque and bacteria can collect, worsening the problem. Eventually, your gums can pull away from your teeth enough that your teeth begin to loosen and can fall out. It is best to prevent this from happening with good oral habits.

Natural Remedies

You can also try oil pulling with coconut oil, to clean your teeth of bad bacteria and to help heal your gums. Take one to two teaspoons of coconut oil and swish it around your mouth for 20 minutes. The oil traps toxins and the bacteria responsible for gum inflammation and helps reduce inflammation. Spit out the oil into the trash, and repeat it each morning.

Drinking several cups of green tea each day can help reduce your gum inflammation. Green tea contains natural polyphenols, which help fight gingivitis and its inflammation, to heal your gums. Or, you can rub a mixture of coconut oil, tea tree oil, and clove oil onto your gums morning and night, to help reduce inflammation and heal them.

Repair

When prevention is not enough or you have begun a good routine too late, you can have your gums repaired with professional care. When your gums have formed pockets or receded, you can talk to your dentist about treatments to restore your gum line, and repair any recession to your gums. This includes medications your dentist can prescribe and also surgical treatments to restore your gums.