How To Cure Gum Disease Without A Dentist

You will find how to cure gum disease without a dentist in this article.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the teeth.

The mild form of the disease, which is limited to the gums, is called gingivitis^1,2,3.

However, when the disease spreads to deeper tissues, such as connective tissue and bone support, potentially causing bone and tooth loss, it is known as periodontitis^1,2,3.

What causes gum disease?

Dental plaque is a matrix composed of diverse microbes that occurs naturally on the tooth structure^4,5.

In healthy oral conditions, dental plaque and adjacent tissues maintain a delicate balance, establishing a harmonious relationship^4,5.

However, when harmful bacteria prevail, the “healthy” dental plaque becomes “pathogenic,” causing gum disease and dental caries⁴.

The main bacteria causing gum disease are anaerobic bacteria, such as^1,6:

A. actinomycetemcomitans
P. gingivalis
P. intermedia
T. forsythensis

Factors affecting gum disease

Risk factors play a role in an individual’s response to gum infection⁷.

They include^3,7:

Inadequate oral hygiene
Smocking
Alcohol consumption
Diabetes
Heredity, including genetic diseases

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

Symptoms of gum disease are as follows³:

Inflammation
Bleeding during brushing or flossing
Bad breath
Gum pain and tenderness during chewing
Sensitive teeth
Receding gums
Discoloring plaque
Tooth mobility and even tooth loss

Is gum disease reversible?

Gingivitis is reversible^2,3.

By contrast, periodontitis, the form of the disease that results in loss of connective tissue and bone support, is not reversible^2,3.

The treatment below can cure gingivitis and stop the progression of periodontitis.

How to cure gum disease without a dentist

The goal of the treatment is to reduce dental plaque build-up and eliminate the harmful bacteria that make it up.

Here is how to cure gum disease without a dentist³:

Brush and floss your teeth regularly
Quit smoking
Manage diabetes
Rinse your mouth with an antimicrobial mouthwash

5 Best mouthwashes to cure gum disease without a dentist

Here are the five best antimicrobial mouthwashes to cure gum disease without a dentist:

1. Turmeric

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a herbaceous plant of the ginger family.

It is the major source of curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties^8,9.

Several studies have reported that curcumin is effective against gum disease⁹.

Moreover, this effect is equivalent to or even higher than commonly used medications, such as chlorhexidine⁹.

How to use turmeric to cure gum disease

Dissolve a teaspoon of turmeric powder in 3.5 oz (100 ml) of distilled water.
Swish the mouthwash around your mouth for about 20 minutes.
Spit out the turmeric mouthwash and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

2. Propolis

Propolis is a resinous substance that bees produce to seal unwanted open spaces in the beehive.

It consists of plant extracts and bee saliva.

Propolis has antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects, among others¹⁰.

Studies have shown that propolis is safe and acts better than standardized treatments for reducing gum disease¹⁰.

How to use propolis to cure gum disease

Swish propolis mouthwash around your mouth for about 20 minutes.
Spit out the mouthwash and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

3. Neem

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a tropical evergreen tree native to India.

It has extensive antimicrobial activities, including antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties¹¹.

A study has revealed that a neem mouthwash reduced gum disease¹².

Besides, it was equally effective as chlorhexidine, a standardized gum disease treatment, with fewer side effects¹².

How to use neem to cure gum disease

Swish neem mouthwash around your mouth for about 20 minutes.
Spit out the mouthwash and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

4. Coconut oil pulling

Coconut oil pulling is an ancient ayurvedic practice for maintaining oral hygiene^13,14.

It consists in swishing coconut oil around the mouth and then spitting it out¹³.

Virgin coconut oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects^13,15.

A study has reported that coconut oil pulling decreased gum disease starting from day seven¹⁶.

How to use coconut oil pulling to cure gum disease

Swish a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil around your mouth before brushing your teeth for about 20 minutes.
Spit out the coconut oil and rinse your mouth thoroughly with tap water.
It is best not to spit the oil into the sink as it can clog the pipes.

5. Aged garlic extract

Garlic is a bulbous plant that has been used as a spice and in traditional medicine since ancient times^17,18.

It has multiple health benefits, including antibacterial, antifungal, anti-protozoal, and antiviral properties¹⁷.

Aged garlic (also known as black garlic) is processed by aging fresh garlic for several weeks at a high temperature¹⁹.

It has a less irritating flavor and a greater antioxidant activity than fresh garlic¹⁹.

A study has shown that aged garlic extract was an effective treatment for preventing or improving gum disease²⁰.

How to use aged garlic to cure gum disease

In this case, the treatment consists of taking tablets instead of swishing a mouthwash.

Take four Kyolic²⁰ tablets (containing each 300 mg of aged garlic extract) in the morning and four in the evening.

When to see your dentist

Gum disease should be treated rapidly as it can lead to systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis²⁰.

See your dentist if you have

Acute tooth pain
Extremely red and swollen gums
Gums that bleed a lot

Your dentist can take X-ray images to determine if the infection has spread to deeper tissues.

He can also redirect you to a dental hygienist, who can mechanically remove your dental plaque.

Summary: How to cure gum disease without a dentist

Gum disease is an inflammation of the tissues that hold your teeth together.

An overabundance of harmful bacteria in dental plaque causes periodontal disease.

Modifiable risk factors, such as lifestyle, and non-modifiable risk factors, like age and genetics, play a role in an individual’s response to gum infection.

Here is how to cure gum disease without a dentist:

Brush and floss your teeth regularly
Quit smoking
Manage diabetes
Rinse your mouth with one of the five mentioned mouthwashes