Home remedies for gingivitis such as hydrogen peroxide solution, licorice tea or turmeric paste, for example, can be used in the form of mouthwashes or in the form of a paste, after brushing your teeth, as they have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic and antibacterial, which help to alleviate the symptoms of gingivitis such as pain, swelling, redness or bleeding of the gums.
Gingivitis generally occurs due to the accumulation of bacterial plaque between the teeth and gums, poor tooth hygiene or not using dental floss regularly or correctly, leading to gum inflammation, which in more serious cases can cause the loss of teeth. Learn more about the causes and symptoms of gingivitis.
The best treatment to stop gum bleeding and inflammation is to completely remove all accumulated tartar by brushing your teeth correctly, with a soft or electric toothbrush and flossing daily. Home remedies can help alleviate symptoms, but they do not replace brushing or the recommendations made by your dentist. See how to brush your teeth correctly.
Some home remedy options for gingivitis are:
1. Warm water and salt solution
The warm salt water solution is a good option for a home remedy for gingivitis as salt water helps to heal and soothe inflamed gums, relieve pain, as well as being a natural antiseptic, reducing the amount of bacteria that cause gingivitis and bad breath.
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon of salt;
- 1 glass of warm water.
Preparation mode
Add the salt to the glass of warm water and mix with a spoon. Rinse your mouth, swishing for 20 to 30 seconds, 2 to 3 times a day. Spit out the solution then.
It is recommended to use the warm salt water solution for a maximum of one week, as using it for longer can damage tooth enamel, as it is an acidic solution.
2. Licorice tea
Licorice tea has licoricidin and licorisoflavan A in its composition, which are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory substances, which act by inhibiting the growth of bacteria that cause gingivitis and reduce inflammation of the gums, making it a great option for a home remedy for gingivitis. Additionally, this tea helps control bad breath, a common symptom of gingivitis.
This tea should be used to rinse your mouth, as a mouthwash, and should not be ingested.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of licorice root;
- 1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Add the licorice to the cup of boiling water, cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. Strain and use the tea as a mouthwash, rinsing your mouth, up to twice a day.
Licorice tea should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women and by people with heart problems.
3. Potentilla tea
Potentilla tea has tannins, catechins and proanthocyanidins in its composition with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which help eliminate the bacteria that cause gingivitis and relieve pain and inflammation. Additionally, potentilla tea also helps prevent cavities.
Ingredients
- 2 spoons of potentilla root;
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation mode
Place the ingredients in a pan and let it boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Cover, let it rest until warm and then strain. Rinse your mouth with this tea, swishing it 2 to 3 times a day. Spit out the tea afterwards.
Another option is to use clove essential oil, adding 2 or 3 drops to a cotton pad and applying it to the gums for 30 seconds.
4. Clove tea
Clove tea helps reduce gum pain and inflammation as it has eugenol in its composition with analgesic and anti-inflammatory action, making it a good option for a home remedy for gingivitis.
Ingredients
- 10 units of cloves;
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation mode
Put the cloves and water to boil for 5 minutes and cover. Wait for it to cool, strain and swish for 20 to 30 seconds, twice a day. Spit out the tea afterwards.
5. Hydrogen peroxide solution
The hydrogen peroxide solution has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action, helping to eliminate the bacteria that cause gingivitis, reducing pain, redness and swelling and reducing gum bleeding, making it another good option for a home remedy for gingivitis.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide 10 volumes;
- ½ cup of water.
Preparation mode
Add hydrogen peroxide to the cup with water and mix. Swish your mouth for 30 seconds and then spit. This hydrogen peroxide solution can be used for 2 to 3 days.
It is not necessary to rinse your mouth with water after using the hydrogen peroxide solution, but if you don’t like the taste in your mouth, you can do so.
6. Blueberry tea
Blueberry tea has a tonic and anti-inflammatory action, helping to combat inflammation, swelling and bleeding gums, making it a good option for a home remedy for gingivitis.
Additionally, blueberry tea helps prevent the formation of bacterial plaque that can cause gingivitis.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of dried blueberries;
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the ingredients for 15 minutes, cover the pan and let it cool, then strain. Use this dark tea to rinse your mouth for 30 seconds, twice a day.
7. Sage infusion
Sage infusion helps to reduce the symptoms of gingivitis such as swelling, pain and bleeding of the gums as it contains cineole and camphor with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action, helping to remove bacterial plaque and prevent its deposition in the gums.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of fresh sage or 1 tablespoon of dried sage;
- 1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Add the sage to the cup of boiling water, cover and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Wait for it to cool, strain and rinse for 20 to 30 seconds. Spit then. Repeat 2 to 3 times a day.
8. Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint essential oil is rich in menthol and menthone, with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that help fight gingivitis. Additionally, this essential oil helps reduce pain and keep your breath fresh.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 drops of peppermint essential oil;
- 1 glass of water.
Preparation mode
Add the drops of peppermint essential oil to the glass of water and mix. Swish your mouth for 30 to 40 seconds, 2 to 3 times a day. Spit then.
9. Gentian Violet Solution
The gentian violet solution has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial action, helping to combat and improve the symptoms of gingivitis such as pain, redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums.
Ingredients
- 20 to 30 drops of gentian violet tincture;
- 1 glass of water.
Preparation mode
Combine the ingredients and swish the mixture 2 to 3 times a day, for up to 3 days.
This solution should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people with open mouth wounds.
10. Turmeric paste
Turmeric paste is another good option for a home remedy for gingivitis, as turmeric, also known as saffron, contains curcumin in its composition, a substance with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial action, which helps to reduce inflammation and reduce bacterial plaque.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder;
- ½ teaspoon of salt;
- ½ teaspoon of mustard oil or olive oil.
Preparation mode
In a clean, dry container, mix the ingredients. Place the turmeric paste on a cotton pad and gently apply it to the gums, massaging for 20 to 30 seconds. Rinse your mouth with water afterwards. This paste can be used up to 2 times a day.
Because it contains salt in its composition, turmeric paste can cause burning or pain if the gums are very swollen, red and bleeding. In this case, you must rinse your mouth and remove the paste with water immediately. Another option is not to use salt in this paste.
