Are there home remedies for receding gums that really work? Can receding gums grow back? In gingival recession gums appear to be drawn back exposing the roots of the teeth. This may cause tooth sensitivity, loss of teeth or bone loss in severe cases. Many people dread a visit to the dentist and have turned to natural remedies to help repair gum recession. Here are effective home remedies for receding gums with helpful tips on how to treat a receding gum line at home naturally.
Home Remedies for Receding Gums or Gum Line
Contents
- Home Remedies for Receding Gums or Gum Line
- Can Receding Gums Be Reversed Naturally?
- Aloe Vera
- Green Tea
- Essential Oils for Receding Gums Treatment
- Eucalyptus oil
- Sesame Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Tea tree oil for receding gums
- Clove for receding gums
- Myrrh
- Lemon Oil
- Sage Leaves
- Sumac Tree
- Yarrow
- Ginger and cayenne pepper
- Home Remedies for Sore Receding Gums and Pain
- Natural Remedies for Receding Gums to Prevent and Cure
- Proper Dental Hygiene
- Take Plenty of Plain Water
- Eat fruits and vegetables
- Oil pulling
- Mouth wash
- Receding Gum Disease and Bone Loss
- Homeopathic Remedies for Receding Gums
- Causes for Receding Gums
Gingival recession is the loss of gum tissue which leads to the exposure of teeth roots. It creates a gap between the line and the teeth making the teeth appear longer. This exposes teeth and gum tissue to harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay and periodontitis. Some people naturally have receded gums while some have the risk factors which expose them to loss of gum tissue.
A US study on gingival recession and gingival bleeding in 10,000 adults found that 38% of people aged 30-39 had some degree of the condition, compared to 71% in the 50-59 age group, and 90% for those aged between 80-90. However, this doesn’t mean ageing in itself is the cause . Gum recession is a long process that can start in your teens and one that can be triggered by various factors such as poor oral hygiene.
Can Receding Gums Be Reversed Naturally?
Gum recession is not as obvious because it is a gradual process that slowly exposes the root of the tooth. Most people do not realize it until they experience tooth sensitivity . Severe gum recession may lead to tooth, bone and tissue loss if left untreated. Prompt treatment may prevent or limit tissue damage and also reverse the signs and symptoms of gum recession. The degree of gingival recession determines whether your receded gums can grow back.
In mild cases, home remedies for receding gums can be able to fix and reverse damaged gum. In severe cases, it is very important to visit a dentist for prompt treatment. Here are DIY homemade treatments to grow back receding gums:
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has potent anti –inflammatory and ant bacterial properties. It kills bacteria and aids in healing of damaged gums.
- Brush and floss your teeth as usual
- Place some aloe Vera gel on your toothbrush and brush again for 3-5 minutes
- Do this twice daily for best results
- Alternatively, you can dilute aloe Vera gel with water to get a consistency that you can easily swirl around the mouth. Use this as a mouthwash after every time you brush your teeth.
Green Tea
Green tea is effective in killing bacteria and calming inflammation. It also has loads of antioxidants that fight free radicals. The catechins in green tea strengthen the bond between gums and teeth . Simply take a cup of green tea in the morning to reduce gum swelling and keep your teeth strong.
Essential Oils for Receding Gums Treatment
Essential oils have antimicrobial properties that kill bacterial which causes tartar and plaque. Eucalyptus, rose oil and tea tree oil are all very beneficial home remedies for receding gums. They remove plaque and tartar from between the teeth and prevent food particles from sticking onto teeth and gum line.
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus is anti- inflammatory in nature- it helps reduce swollen gums and reduce pain. It prevents tooth decay and gum diseases that lead to receding gums.
- Add 2 drops of eucalyptus to 2 tbsp of water and mix well
- Using a soft toothbrush or a finger, massage this mixture on the gums for 3 minutes
- Rinse your mouth well with water
Massaging your gum with eucalyptus stimulates new tissue growth to reverse gum recession
Sesame Oil
Frequent rinses with sesame oil will help keep your gums clean. Sesame oil provides protective coating over the teeth preventing plaque buildup.
- Warm sesame oil
- After brushing, take sesame oil into your mouth without swallowing
- Swirl around your mouth for 1-2 minutes
- Spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with water
- Do this twice daily for best results
Alternatively, you can use other oils like virgin coconut oil or olive oil to reverse receding gums.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is antimicrobial in nature making it a great remedy for treating receding gums. Simply take some virgin coconut oil and swish your mouth with it after brushing your teeth.
This will give your teeth the necessary cover for protection against disease causing bacteria and germs and also prevent food particles and germs from sticking between and on the teeth and causing decay. Coconut oil can be used every day as a DIY home treatment for receding gums and prevention method for gingivitis .
Tea tree oil for receding gums
For receding gums, tea tree oil it is best used in form of a gel , toothpaste or oral rinse.
- Dilute tea tree oil by mixing 3 tbsp of water with 2 drops of tea tree oil
- Swirl it around the mouth to prevent damage and fix receding gums
- Rinse your mouth with clean water
Note that; tea tree oil SHOULD NEVER be used undiluted . It can cause burns and allergic reactions. Do not swallow tea tree oil.
Clove for receding gums
Clove has great disinfectant properties. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce gum swelling. Reducing inflammation is part of the treatment for receding gums.
- After meals, chew on a clove making sure that the oil reaches the all parts of your mouth
- Alternatively, using clove oil, apply 2 drops of clove oil to your gums
- Massage gently for 3 minutes
- Do this 3 times daily for best results
Myrrh
Myrrh strengthens the gums and teeth reducing the chances of teeth loss. It can be used as toothpaste, in powder form or as a mouth rinse.
- Crush myrrh resin to get powder
- Mix this with water to make a paste
- Using a soft toothbrush or fingers, gently massage your teeth and gums for 3 minutes
Myrrh is approved for consumption by the FDA. It however, should not be consumed by children under 6 years. As with other essential oils , caution should be exercised. Dilution is always advised.
Lemon Oil
Lemon has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Lemon oil can be bought from the store or homemade by infusing olive oil with lemon for a few weeks. Use this oil to swish around the mouth. This home remedy kills bacteria and prevents more damage to the gums. Lemon oil also stimulates new cell growth in replace of the damaged ones. Note that, it is not recommended to use lemon oil every day as it can corrode the tooth enamel.
Sage Leaves
Sage is a great tonic and treatment for the mucus membrane. It is very effective in prevention and treatment of receding gums.
- Rub sage leaves directly to the gums for 5 minutes
- Alternatively, make sage leaves tea by adding sage leaves to a cup of boiling water
- Let it sit for 10 minutes
- When cool to a manageable temperature, rinse your mouth with it
- Do this once daily for best results
Sumac Tree
Sumac tree has strong astringent properties that help repair receding gum line. It cleans the teeth preventing them from decay and damage. Peels from the sumac tree bark stimulate new cell growth helping to grow back receding gum.
- Take a twig from the sumac tree and peel the outer bark off of it
- Gently rub the inner part over the teeth and along the gums
- Do this twice daily for best results
Caution:
- Sage should not be used in pregnancy or during lactation
- Consult your doctor if using anticoagulants before using sage for receding gums
Yarrow
Wild yarrow has many astringent and antiseptic characteristics. Rub wild yarrow on your gums to help stimulate and grow back receding gums.
Ginger and cayenne pepper
Ginger and cayenne stimulate the body to improve blood circulation. They locally dilate blood vessels improving circulation and nutrient supply to the gums. This will help rejuvenate and grow back the receded gum tissue. Just chew on ginger or Cayenne or apply directly to the gum. These are both safe but cayenne may feel hot if you are not a spicy foods person. Another herb that is known to improve blood circulation to the gums is Ginkgo biloba.
Home Remedies for Sore Receding Gums and Pain
Receding gums exposes the tooth which may cause pain and bleeding . According to WebMd, “…swollen and bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease. However, there are a number of other things that could be causing your gum problems“. Sore receding gums and pain make it hard to chew on food and other hard substances. It may also cause sensitivity to cold or hot foods.
Home remedies for sore receding gums and pain aim at dealing with these symptoms first. Once the symptoms resolve, it becomes a little easier to focus on remedies that stimulate and regenerate cells for new gingiva growth . When thinking of how to grow back receding gums, it is important to first find out what is causing your gums to recede.
Natural Remedies for Receding Gums to Prevent and Cure
Gingival recession is a gradual process that takes place over a long period of time. It is this factor that makes receding gums not noticeable until the age of 40 years and above. When other factors like genes and poor oral hygiene are put into consideration, this condition may appear as early as the teen years. Many people dread the dentist visit and opt to use home remedies to reverse receding gums naturally.
Here are preventive and effective natural remedies for receding gums;
Proper Dental Hygiene
To keep off bacteria, tartar and plaque, you should brush your teeth at least twice daily- morning and evening. You should never go to bed before brushing your teeth. Do not be aggressive with your teeth, brush gently in circular motions . Use a small toothbrush with soft bristles , preferably an electric one. It is recommended to floss teeth regularly after meals to prevent bacteria that cause gum disease.
Take Plenty of Plain Water
Instead of sugary beverages, drink lots of plain water to keep your gum healthy. Swish plain water around the mouth after eating to remove food particles left between the teeth and the gums. This will keep your mouth clean and promote healing of gums.
Eat fruits and vegetables
Chewing on fruits and vegetables helps to exercise the gums. Choose foods that are rich in vitamin C and zinc for strong teeth and healthy gums. Fruits and vegetables contain lots of zinc and vitamin C which are essential for gum health. Vitamin C is key in home remedies for gum recession as it promotes new cell growth and reduces inflammation. Citrus fruits such as strawberries and pineapples and vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are rich in vitamin C and zinc
Oil pulling
Oil pulling is an old technique reputed in Aryuveda as an effective natural remedy for receding gums. It cleans the mouth and removes plaque bacteria from between the gums. It is recommended that you do this procedure before meals to prevent food particles from sticking on and in between your teeth.
Using the oil of your choice- olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil
- Take a tablespoonful into your mouth
- Swirl and swish around your mouth while sucking and pulling the oil between your teeth
- Do this for 5 minutes until the oil becomes thin and white
- Spit out and rinse with water
- Do this at least twice daily for best results
Mouth wash
A mouth wash is an effective receding gums natural treatment. Add a few drops of essential oils into your natural mouth rinse and rinse your mouth for a minute. This will help to fight and prevent bacteria that cause receding gums.
Alternatively, you can mix water with hydrogen peroxide to make an effective natural mouth rinse.
Receding Gum Disease and Bone Loss
Bone loss is a common consequence of loss of teeth and chronic periodontitis. In the case of periodontitis, the bacteria gradually eat away at the underlying jawbone and at the periodontal ligaments that connect the tooth to the bone.
If receding gums are not treated and reversed promptly, the chances of losing teeth and gradual bone loss is high. In cases of severe gum recession, natural home treatment for receding gums should not be the first option. Consult your dentist immediately for examination and management to avoid complications such as bone loss.
Homeopathic Remedies for Receding Gums
Homeopathic remedies are helpful in relieving symptoms that come with receding gums. They are natural non-toxic medicines are safe for everyone. According to daveshealingnotes.com, “Homeopathy is a low-cost, safe, and non-toxic system of medicine used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Homeopathic medicine is an alternative medical system that treats the symptoms of a disease with minute dilutions of a natural substance.”
Just like home remedies for receding gums, many people are now seeking homeopathic solutions due to their efficiency and safety even at high potencies. These are some of the homeopathic treatments for receding gums;
Silica terra – helps rebuild bone structure and strengthen teeth; a key factor in reversing gingival recession.
Kalium phosphoricum – This is a potassium salt that helps to regulate the transfer of nutrients into cells. It is a great natural homeopathic treatment for receding gums. It treats bleeding, spongy and sore gums.
Mercurius solubilis – this is a natural remedy that is used in homeopathic treatment of many ailments. It heals spongy gums, calms pain and reverses gum recession.
Carbo vegetabilis – a receding gums relief. Treats inflamed and bleeding gums. Carbo vegetabilis, also reduces sensitivity and pain when chewing.
Causes for Receding Gums
What causes receding gums ? There are a number of factors that cause gums to recede. These include;
- Genetic makeup
- Aggressive tooth brushing
- Poor dental care
- Grinding and clenching on teeth
- Caffeinated and tobacco products
- Periodontal diseases
- Hormonal changes
- Misaligned teeth
- Lip or tongue piercing
Receding gums home treatment may not always be effective especially if you have severe gingival recession or bone loss. Mild gingival recession may be able to be treated by your dentist by deep cleaning the affected area. This is also known as tooth scaling or root planning .
In case of severe gum recession that cannot be treated with deep cleaning, because of excess bone loss and deep pockets, gum surgery may be an option to repair receding gums.
Without prompt treatment, receding gums may inevitably lead to loss of teeth . Prevent receding gum line by soft tooth brushing and safe oral care. It is recommended that you see a dentist once every 6 months or every 3 months if you are dealing with gum recession. Remember that home remedies for receding gums call for patience and consistency for best results.