How to Cure Gum Disease Without a Dentist
You won’t be able to cure gum disease without a dentist – however, you can follow a series of steps to prevent it from getting worse.
If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease by a dentist, you must know there’s no cure. Once the disease has progressed past gingivitis, there’s little you can do to reverse the condition – even with dental intervention. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. You can manage your gum disease and prevent the problem from getting worse and progressing to more advanced forms of the disease, like periodontitis, where you’ll begin to notice receding gums and bone loss.
No matter what you read online, you won’t be able to tackle gum disease alone. You must visit the dentist regularly to undergo deep cleaning (hygienist appointments), which will remove tartar and plaque build-up below the gum line, which you won’t be able to clean or reach at home. That said, you should follow a particular regime at home to keep the condition from getting out of control and better manage your symptoms of throbbing gums and sensitive teeth.
Treating gum disease - steps for at-home care
If you have gingivitis, you can certainly make simple changes to your oral hygiene routine, which can help cure your gums. You will require more frequent dental intervention only when the condition has progressed past this stage.
Reversing gingivitis at home:
- Invest in an electric toothbrush to ensure proper cleaning, and explore water flossers to remove tartar or plaque efficiently.
- After every meal, floss twice daily (and for the most effective results).
- Brush your teeth twice daily (careful not to brush too hard).
- Use mouthwash twice a day (there are even medicated types of mouthwash to help fight the harmful bacteria that allow gum disease to thrive).
- Saltwater is a natural disinfectant that can eliminate bacteria that cause gum disease and help the soft tissues in your gums heal. So, swilling warm saltwater regularly can help.
- Green tea, which is rich in antioxidants, can help reduce inflammation. So, consider switching your morning coffee to green tea.
- Baking soda can help fight against harmful oral bacteria and neutralise acids that cause inflammation.
While several natural remedies, like coconut oil and baking soda, can be tried, the most effective solution is improving your oral hygiene habits and visiting the dentist regularly for root and scaling. We can assess the stage of your gum disease and advise on how frequently you’ll need a clean.
When to see a dentist for gum disease
If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, you should visit the dentist as soon as possible to prevent the nasty consequences of ignoring gum disease like gum recession.
- Tooth pain caused by sensitive teeth from gums that have receded.
- Black pockets (triangles) between teeth.
- Signs that your gums are receding below the gum line, making teeth appear longer.
- Persistent bad breath and heavy inflammation.
- Gums that bleed excessively.
If the disease has progressed into periodontitis, you might be referred to a periodontist, the only type of dentist who can help rebuild your gums and prevent your condition from getting out of hand. Ignoring gum disease can lead to tooth loss and replacing the tooth with dental implants, for example, might be difficult if you have a breakdown of bone.
