How To Get Rid Of Gingivitis (Gum Disease) Fast & Naturally
Gum Disease Treatment At Home, Without Going To The Dentist
In this article, I will tell you everything I did to cure my own gum disease I had a few years ago, and I will not try to sell you anything or get you to sign up for anything. Just 100% free information. I got sick of searching for 'how to cure gum disease' back when I had it, and all I found were people trying to sell me something. So I figured out how to cure it myself, and now I want to share this information with you. For free.
2018 Update: I made an even bigger & better guide, here: Gingivitis: The Ultimate Guide To Curing Gum Disease
The one you're currently reading is still relevant too, though. 🙂
Gum disease (gingivitis) symptoms
- Receding gums (ie, your teeth start looking 'taller')
- Your gums bleed often, like every time you brush them
- Your gums might be sensitive to the touch
- Purple or bright red gums
Those are the officially recognized symptoms of gingivitis... in my case I also had slightly loose teeth as well (I could wiggle them a little bit... it was disturbing). That's a less common symptom of gingivitis, and is usually associated with periodontitis instead.
What causes gingivitis?
To put it bluntly, not cleaning your teeth properly causes gum disease, due to plaque building up and not being removed. Bacteria feed on this plaque, and they produce chemicals and toxins which degrade the gum tissue in your mouth.
So if you have gum disease, it means you haven't been cleaning your teeth as well as you should have.
Is there a cure for gingivitis?
Yes! Keep reading. 🙂
How long does it take to get rid of gingivitis?
If you clean your teeth every day as I describe in this article, your gum disease should start going away after about a week or so. Unless it's more severe (periodontitis), in which case it will take longer, and you should go see a dentist because I seriously don't think you can fix it yourself.
How to get rid of gingivitis
Getting rid of gum disease and preventing it from ever coming back requires a change of habits. You can't just 'get rid of it' once and expect it to stay away forever - you need to actively keep on cleaning your teeth properly every day for the rest of your life. If you're not willing to do this, you might as well make friends with your gum disease, because it will always be there with you.
Here's what I did. Don't laugh, it really was this simple in my case, and doing this will probably be enough for you as well, as long as your gingivitis hasn't progressed to periodontitis yet (more info on that later).
All I did was clean out all the plaque on, around, and between my teeth with toothpicks, floss and my fingernails. No special tools were used. I have been continually doing this every day ever since I started, and my gum disease has gone away and hasn't come back. My teeth also no longer wiggle 🙂
The best 'tool' for cleaning out plaque that builds up right above the gums, in my experience, is a blunt toothpick. It's soft enough to wipe the plaque off without hurting the gums, but still hard enough to actually scrape the stuff off.
When flossing between your teeth, try to use the floss to scrape straight up alongside each tooth, to get out any plaque that might be hiding in there. Do this multiple times until you're absolutely certain it's squeaky clean. Also, you can use the floss to clean right at the back of your molars. This is a good place for plaque to hide, and can be quite hard to get to, so be sure you get some floss back there and clean that stuff out. It's worth the effort.
Also, brush your tongue. A lot of stuff sticks to it and makes your breath smell bad, and since you're getting into the habit of cleaning everything properly, you might as well clean that too. Getting rid of absolutely everything bacteria could possibly feed on is a good idea.
See the updates I posted at the end of the article for more things that will probably also help to cure gum disease, which I'm doing as maintenance to keep my teeth and gums healthy in the long run.
Stubborn plaque (also known as Tartar)
Tartar is the hard stuff that sticks to your teeth and doesn't come off when brushing. A toothpick also isn't hard enough to scrape it off.
How to know if you've got tartar
Feel the sides of your teeth with your finger (make sure it's clean first). If it feels smooth, it's not tartar. If it has a tacky roughness to it, you've probably got some tartar built up there. You need to get rid of it. You should only need to clean tartar off once, because once you've got rid of it, as long as you keep your teeth properly clean, it won't come back.
I scraped the tartar off my teeth with a (sterilized) paperclip... yes, I'm serious. Don't laugh. I'm sure there are better ways of doing this, and to be honest, I don't really recommend the paperclip method... you could slip and stab yourself in the gum, and that wouldn't be very nice. So if you're going to insist on using a paperclip, be careful.
Dentists remove tartar using dental picks, which are small sharp pointy metal things (not too different from my paperclip, I suppose). Dentists also have other fancy tools, like ultrasonic water spraying things that loosen up tartar. They also have little mirrors that make it easy to see all those awkward hard to reach places. So if you have a lot of stubborn tartar, you might want to get some specialized tools for it (or get someone to help you clean it).
Anti-bacterial Mouthwash
A lot of people recommend rinsing your mouth out with Listerine or some other anti-bacterial mouthwash. This makes sense, considering that it's bacteria that cause gingivitis. But on the other hand, the bacteria need plaque to survive, so getting rid of their food source (plaque) will get rid of them as well. I didn't use any anti-bacterial mouthwash whatsoever, but if it makes you feel better, go for it.
Gingivitis vs Periodontitis
Now, I personally didn't have Periodontitis, so I don't have any personal experience with this, but I have done some research comparing the differences between Periodontitis and Gingivitis. Hopefully this helps you figure out if you can cure your gum disease yourself, or if you should get professional help.
Gingivitis and Periodontitis both occur in the gums and both have similar symptoms but the two diseases are different from each other.
Periodontitis is much more serious than gingivitis. Here the gums tend to pull away from the teeth, creating a space between the gums and teeth where more bacteria can flourish. You are also more likely to see loose teeth in Periodontitis than in gingivitis. Plaque tends to travel down to the roots, which leads to the higher degree of infection you see in Periodontitis. The gums may also bleed very easily and you may feel pain when chewing. Periodontitis commonly leads to further complications such as tissue destruction and bone damage.
Periodontitis Treatment Options
Periodontitis is a very serious dental problem and should be treated as early as possible. There are various treatment options according to how severe the problem is, but you definitely need to go to a dentist for all of them. Scaling is used for milder forms of Periodontitis, and is done to remove tartar and bacteria from the surface of the teeth and in between the gums. The plaque may also be removed using an ultrasonic device. Root planing is another method to treat Periodontitis. This involves smoothing out root surfaces. You may also be given antibiotics to prevent the buildup of more bacteria and to reduce the chances of infection.
Surgery may be necessary for severe cases of Periodontitis. This is advised for cases where gum tissue fails to respond to non-surgical treatments. These include flap surgery, which removes a flap of tissue around the gums to facilitate effective removal of bacteria and plaque. Afterwards the underlying bone may be recontoured before the flap is reattached. The doctor may also perform soft tissue grafts. Tissue from the palate may be taken out and placed around gums that have receded from the teeth. This procedure helps prevent further gum recession.
Other surgical techniques include bone grafting and guided tissue regeneration. Grafting is done in extreme cases when the infection has spread to the bone. Pieces of bone from other parts of the body are placed in parts where bone has been eroded in order to prevent further bone damage.
All of which is very unpleasant to think about. So if you don't have Periodontitis yet, make sure you never get it!
Now what?
Now I believe you have some teeth cleaning to do 🙂 ... but if you found this article helpful in any way, I'd appreciate it if you click on any of the sharing buttons below to share this information with others. Good luck!
2015 Update - Water Flosser
I recently got myself one of these water flossers after reading good things about them, and after using it for a few weeks, I must say it's far more effective (and faster) than flossing and tooth-picking. I don't know how well it would work for getting rid of tartar (because I don't have any to test it on), but if you just get one of these and use it 1-2 times a day, I'm pretty sure you can ignore all the stuff I said about toothpicks and floss. 🙂
Panasonic EW-DJ10-A Portable Dental Water Flosser
Many people say that this one is better: Waterpik Aquarius
It's just not available in my local area, so I can't get one easily. If it's available for you, and you don't need it to be portable, it may be worth getting.
2018 Update - Oil Pulling and Xylitol Rinsing
I've been using Coconut Oil and Xylitol as mouthwashes for over a year now. They work so well that most days I don't even feel a need to brush my teeth or use my water flosser anymore. I still do it anyway though - and sometimes the flosser still gets out some food bits I didn't know were hiding there!
While I don't have any gum disease to test this on myself, I've read many articles saying that oil pulling with a variety of oils can cure gum disease on its own, and the same can be said for xylitol. So if you add oil pulling and xylitol rinsing to the cleaning tips I posted earlier, it can only help. 🙂
Here are some instructions on how to do oil pulling:
Swish 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil around in your mouth for 10-20 minutes. Spit it out afterwards, and then rinse your mouth out thoroughly. For even better results, rinse with salt water after the oil.
When I do this early in the day, I find that it prevents plaque from building up or sticking to my teeth for most of the rest of the day.
More information about oil pulling:
- https://draxe.com/oil-pulling-coconut-oil/
- http://www.healingteethnaturally.com/oil-pulling-dental-healer.html
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Posted in: Health by admin on February 24, 2012 @ 11:24 pm
Great info! You always do a great job in your posts.
It is scary to have these kind of dental problems. Sooner or later if these did not treat from the beginning and let it worse, expensive medical needs might be required by dentists. That's why we have to often clean our teeth. Brushing may not be enough, using of anti bacterial mouth wash can help too but not all gum i think can handle mouth wash. It's still recommended to visit our dentist for professional advise and to know what is best for us.
I really like the way your'e honest and blunt. i love your articles! keep up the good work and i look forward to reading more of your helpful articles!
I just found out I have gum disease again. I did at on point have an early case of periodontitus, and had to see a periodontist once every 3 months, and it was hell. However, I got 2 deep gum cleanings from my dentist and it works wonders. But I like your post and will be cleaning my teeth as soon as I get home. Another tool that works really well in case you have a permanent retainer or braces is this thing called an air flosser. Oral-B makes it and you can buy it anywhere. have to use it because of my permanent retainer, but check it out. It's amazing!
Great post! thanks for great info! would love an update of your current gum health.
I was diagnosed with gum disease. gingivitis and deep pockets. it was the result of a combination of what i'd imagine are common factors. #1 i had removed my wisdom teeth late which led to impacted wisdoms and cavities. #2 I smoked pot through my 20's which gave me cotton mouth or very dry mouth. since i would normally do my token' round midnight, I theorize I slept with dry mouth which was a breeding ground for bacteria. anyone who drinks regularly, smokes cigs or pot will have factor 2.
I got one deep scaling cleaning at the dentist before getting laid off. he had me also using hexadine oral antibiotic mouthwash. he advised me to floss daily and use a soft rotating brush. i got a water pick, brushed way more often and closed several times a week.
one year later still have a light case of gum disease. so now Im uninsured and looking to maintain or improve gum health until i have dental insurance again. i got metal tooth scraper and made up my mind to floss 2-3 times a day. i also got my hands on hexadine mouthwash again. i plan on scraping teeth even under the gum line, water picking with 50/50 water hperoxide, using warm saltwater and listerine as well.
Is there anything else i can do? was thinking id also use baking soda. any tips or advise would be much appreciated.
@Ryan
I don't think salt water does anything to help, but it can't hurt either. Not sure about baking soda or hperoxide (hydrogen peroxide?). I guess my case wasn't quite as bad as yours. Mine's still fine by the way. 🙂
Update (2018) - Salt water absolutely probably will help actually. It helps things heal faster, so it makes sense that it should help. Baking soda is worth a try, can't do any harm. It will neutralize acid. I don't recommend hydrogen peroxide though... acid is bad.
Avoid all acidic soft drinks, try to avoid acidic food too if you currently eat it a lot. Basically clean your teeth obsessively after every time you eat anything. Some foods leave more plaque on your teeth than others (anything sugary especially), so pay attention to what leaves your teeth feeling 'tacky', and try to eat less of that.
Scraping under gumline is a good idea, just be careful you don't press too hard and peel them further away from your teeth.
You have a tongue cleaner on your toothbrush? Those help too.
Other than that, you should be fine. Maybe there's some dark hiding spot in your mouth where bacteria are still hiding that you haven't cleaned out yet? Get one of those tiny dentist mirrors and a flashlight and go hunting! 🙂
Thank u for responding!!! I am obsessively cleaning my mouth. my girlfriend acts like ima freak. I am using a separate toung scraper and metal dental pic. i have a lil mirror and ur right i should use it.
Thank u again 🙂
Thank you so much for your help!
Thoroughly clean teeth quite well - specifically inbetween them - every single day
Avoid poor meals, specially sugar
Receive the right eating routine - you will need Vitamins A, D, K2 and Calcium particularly.
Many people commonly pay no attention to gum problems which often cause terrible problems and various worries in the future. Considering how severe the specific situation can get, it is essential to pinpoint the signs and symptoms within the preliminary phases and look for available treatment techniques.
The National Institute of Health posted that close to 80 percent of mature individuals inside the United States are impacted by some amount of gum problems. Goes without saying, you need to look closely at determining the gum disease symptoms & causes before it's too late.
The main thing that you might want to give attention to figuring out is if perhaps your gums seem to be shifting color. In many instances, you'll find your gums becoming red. More often than not, the red gums get inflamed.
An extra core symptom which you cannot shrug off is discomfort in the gums. In the beginning stages, you might encounter only mild pain that is barely taken seriously. You should initially notice it challenging to eat hard meals for instance biscuits and apples. Relatively quickly, you'd end up finding it a struggle to feed yourself anything while not having pain.
As documented in research, nearly 8 out of ten American men and women have experienced some kind of gum disease in their life. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease can range from gum irritation to much more serious conditions that might cause serious damage to the mouth. That's why you'll want to recognize how to spot gum disease signs & causes.
As distressing as it may sound, your mouth has an incredible number of bacteria and mucus which come together to form plaque on your tooth enamel. You can block oral plaque from forming on the mouth by brushing and flossing of your teeth. You may use a mouth washer to halt plaque build-up. When you fail to get rid of plaque by flossing, cleaning or mouthwashes, tartar will develop on your mouth. This will be the genesis of your gum problems.
Frequent build up of tartar in your gum will cause development of gingivitis. This is characterized by a painful and red gum as the gingivitis-causing germs builds in the mouth. Gingivitis is often very sore, and you should approach your dentist as soon as you notice swelling and redness of your gum.
Neglecting to treat gingivitis could lead to development of periodontal disease. This may cause your gums to pull away from the teeth when they get infected. The bone and various other tissues that hold your teeth secure will slowly be damaged when the inflammation develops. If you fail to get treatment for periodontitis, your teeth may loosen to the stage where they will need to be removed.
Understanding the best ways to shield your gums against damaging ailments is critical to the entire health and well-being of your mouth. Be certain to consult your dentist to understand good mouth care. Routine check-ups and cleanings are the only way to ensure that you maintain sound dental hygiene.
I had it also, and this worked for me. I also found additional useful information. Here are my notes (sorry for English):
Mouth problems and the most gum are Periodontal diseases which are infections that result in inflammation and eventually destroy other tissues and the teeth surrounding the teeth.
The bacteria is in a film If it's not eliminated and plaque that forms around the gums and teeth becomes known as tartar and will harden. Both the germs and tartar and plaque involved inflame and irritate the gums.
Foods that Help Treat Gum Disease
You should start with a diet high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and fats that includes, if you want to reverse gum disease:
Wild-caught fish -- Salmon, mackerel, and sardines contain omega-3s which may decrease inflammation.
Fresh vegetable juice -- Helps reduce inflammation and supplies essential nutrients.
Chewing gum with xylitol -- Xylitol prevents the build-up of germs.
Raw Vegetables and Apples -- Can help clean teeth.
Fat soluble vitamins -- Consuming foods high in fat soluble vitamins including raw milk, coconut, beef liver, bone broth, and grass-fed animal meat may fight gingivitis.
Foods that Cause Gum Disease
These are the foods which lead to gum disease and will lead to tooth decay:
Sugar -- Feeds germs, preventing this on your daily diet will be important for gum disease.
Fruit juice Juice may coat the teeth with sugar and nourish bacteria.
Processed foods -- These foods may have a good deal of sugar and additives that could foster the growth of bacteria.
Grains -- which are unsprouted and unfermented contain phytic acid which could boost gingivitis and may break down into sugar quickly.
Hydrogenated oils -- such as vegetable oil, canola oil, corn oil, and soybean oil may lead to inflammation of the gums and body.
Flossing (1-2x daily) Food that's lodged in teeth preventing bacteria from growing.
Clove and tea tree oil essential oils (5 mL 2x daily) Rubbing these vital oils of clove and melaleuca (tea tree) in your gums or brushing teeth together has antibacterial properties and can stop gingivitis. Apply two drops of these oils 2x daily with carrier oil such as coconut oil.
Coenzyme Q10 (100 mg per day) Can have a therapeutic effect on gingivitis.
Vitamin C (1000 mg 2x daily) Vitamin C assists with tissue formation and helps strengthen gums.
Green tea (1 to 3 cups per day) Make sure it's unsweetened, the polyphenols can help fight gingivitis. Drinking a cup of tea daily enhanced the attachment of the gums to the teeth decreased pocket depth, and decreased gum bleeding. In actuality, the cups of tea consumed, the greater the outcomes.
Oil pulling can help fight gingivitis. Take two drops of essential oil and 1 tablespoon coconut oil and swish in mouth for between 5 to 20 minutes. Oil pulling is at removing just as effective Breath, of receding gums and gum disease, a complication.
Coconut Oil & Himalayan Sea Salt Rub. To decrease the inflammation in the gently massage gums with a combination of oil, gums and pink lavender salt. Let sit for a few minutes, and rinse your mouth. They have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve the symptoms when you have gums.
Receding gums are among the signs of gum disease. When Plaque builds up on teeth and the gums, it triggers Inflammation severe it can destroy gum tissue. This can Lead into the teeth pulling away from the teeth, exposing the roots The evolution of pockets that harbor bacteria that are harmful.
[…] is Part 2 of my original post, How To Get Rid Of Gingivitis (Gum Disease) Fast & Naturally, which you can read here. Since I found myself updating that post every few years, I decided to […]
I had gum problems for years even though I had regular cleanings. At one time it was suggested I have gum surgery. Before my next visit, I started using Listerine every day, and by the time of the visit, the pockets were reduced enough that I didn't need the surgery. But I still had sensitive teeth, and was beginning to see the dark area where my roots were exposed on several teeth. Then, we lost dental coverage. I went back to a few cleanings and then read online about oil pulling. I didn't know where to find Xylitol, but I did have coconut oil and started swishing that every morning. It's been 6 months or so, and I just noticed that my roots are no longer visible.
I wonder now if the cleanings didn't cause the problem in the first place. Maybe not, because I wasn't a good flosser before we had dental insurance and regular cleanings, but my gums have only gotten better since I quit having cleanings and started pulling. I was just googling to see if there was a connection to dental cleanings and peridontal disease when I came across this article. Good job on your teeth!
I cured my gum imflamation with tart cherry tonic. Look it up. Works great for aches and pains too. Better than Tylenol.