Are you concerned about receding gums? Well, you should be…It’s a serious thing. The health of your gums can affect your overall health status.
It’s important to not only worry about the visual appearance of the inflamed red gum tissue, but also take a quick action to treat and prevent further deterioration. Otherwise, you know what can happen, and that’s no fun. Losing a healthy tooth is no fun at all. Anyway, let’s not talk a lot about sad things. Let’s come up with the plan. Keep reading…
Gum recession doesn’t happen for no reason. And the earlier you figure out the exact reason behind it, the better. The first place to start, instead of googling the best homemade remedy, is to pick up the phone and book an appointment with your dentist. When was the last time you saw him or her?
The most common cause of gum inflammation is plaque, a film of bacteria which is constantly accumulating on the teeth and around them when starches and sugars from food interact with normal mouth bacteria. Good oral hygiene helps with removing plaque. That’s why it is so important to floss and brush teeth, at least twice every day.
If not taken care of, plaque hardens and turns into tartar, a hard deposit at the base of the tooth. Both plaque and tartar cause gum inflammation, infection, and at more advanced stages – gum recession.
Bacterial infection of the gums is known as gingivitis. If left untreated, it gets worse and can become a more serious infection – periodontitis. Together, gingivitis and periodontitis are referred to as gum disease. Doesn’t this word sound scary enough to make you rush to the nearest dental clinic?
According to the National Institute of Health, in addition to poor oral health hygiene, gingivitis, can be caused by:
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Some systemic diseases (thyroid disorders, nutrient deficiencies, etc.)
- Some medications
- Misaligned teeth
- Ill-fitting mouth appliances
Moreover, genetic predisposition and hormonal changes can affect gum health. For example, during pregnancy, some women have sensitive teeth and may develop gingivitis.
Good news is that gum disease is treatable with effective care. Let the dentist take care of the issue on the clinical side – regular cleaning, scaling/root planing if necessary, in some cases – antibiotics. Once gums are treated professionally, it’s now time for home-care remedies to prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Here is the list of top three remedies that prevent further gum recession:
- Oil pulling with sesame oil or coconut oil
Take 1 Tbsp of any of these oils and swish for 15 minutes. Try doing it during your shower time. You won’t be able to sing your favorite song to please the ears of your beloved neighbors, but your gums will release toxins, and bacteria will be gone.
- Sea salt
Mix a small amount of sea salt in ½ cup of warm water. Swish this blend vigorously in your mouth. If you find oil pulling difficult, sea salt and water mix should not take so much effort.
- Essential oils blend mouthwash
Peppermint and spearmint have been found effective in killing gingivitis-causing bacteria. Combining these essential oils with the carrier oil helps improve your oral hygiene, and prevent further gum recession.
Directions: Get a small bottle from the travel-size bottles set. Small bottles with or without spray can be used.
Mix 2 Tbsp almond oil with 30 drops of peppermint oil and 25 drops of spearmint oil. Close the lid and shake well. Make sure to shake well before each use. The oil blend doesn’t get spoiled quickly. Keep it handy in the bathroom.
After brushing teeth, dilute 3-4 drops of the oil blend with a small amount of warm water (20 ml). This solution serves as an antibacterial mouthwash. Use twice a day during your a.m. and p.m. oral care. Make a new batch when you use up the content of the bottle.
And some final thoughts on this topic. Anyone with gum disease has to remember the most important thing – KYYC, which means ‘Keep Your Youth Clean’ at all times. Additionally, it is essential to eat healthy foods (less sugar, less starch, more vegetables).
Glance over my healthy recipes on globaldiet.net, try them in your kitchen and let me know your feedback. And don’t forget to share this post if you found it useful.
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