Home Remedies for Common Oral Health Problems
Dental issues are never enjoyable at all, but the good thing is that most of them are easy to treat at home. No time is more important than now to take steps to care for your dental well-being due to the restricted access to dental services owing to the coronavirus lockdown. Below are some common teeth problems and remedies you can apply at home.
Gum Disease (Gingivitis)
Gingivitis is usually experienced at the early stage of gum disease. If not tackled in time, gingivitis can lead to tooth loss. The good news is that gingivitis can be managed safely at home.
The following over-the-counter solutions can be effective against gum disease.
Baking soda: Baking soda dissolved in water should be used to clean and wash the teeth and gum to help counteract the acids irritating the gum tissue.
Green tea: Green tea contains antioxidants which reduce inflammation.
Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide helps kill bacteria when used as a mouthwash, but you should not swallow it, because ingesting it could be poisonous.
Bad Breath
Persistent foul breath, or halitosis, is typically the product of oral bacteria. These bacteria create gases which can cause an odour.
The odour occurs as the bacteria break down the sugars and starches that people consume in the foods. Here are three potent ways to fight bad breath at home.
Tongue scraping: scrape your tongue with a tongue scraper or spoon each morning to reduce the odour-causing bacteria, fungus and dead cells. Cover the tip of the tongue with gauze and use it to clean the back of the mouth.
Hydration: one of the simplest moves you can make to prevent bad breath is drinking enough water. When there is not enough moisture in your mouth to allow saliva, odour-causing bacteria will grow.
Drinking orange juice: Not only do oranges make a good dessert, but they also encourage dental hygiene. People often have poor breath since they don’t generate enough saliva to flush out bacteria that smell nasty. Studies suggest that vitamin C tends to improve the production of saliva, which can help to remove bad breath.
Tooth Sensitivity
Having sensitive teeth can trigger an unpleasant experience when eating and drinking. Many home remedies can help to minimise the sensitivity of the teeth. What are the home remedies for calming sensitive teeth?
Desensitising toothpaste: desensitising toothpaste includes chemicals that help protect irritant nerve endings. The most important component is potassium nitrate, a drug that prevents pain impulses that migrate to your brain from a nerve inside your teeth. The sensitivity will diminish after a few uses.
Rinse with salt water: thanks to its inherent antiseptic properties, salt can reduce inflammation. Use half a tablespoon of salt with one bottle of warm water. Use the mixture to rinse your mouth about twice a day.
Wisdom Tooth Pain
Wisdom tooth pain is another serious dental condition that can typically be treated at home. It’s recommended that you rinse your mouth as much as possible with warm salt water. Order from your nearest pharmacy, if you can, any mouthwash appropriate for gum issues. Examples of such products are Corsodyl or Peroxyl.
For help to ease the pain, use over-the-counter painkillers such as Paracetamol. Do not stop cleaning your wisdom tooth properly, even though it is difficult. Keep the region cold with a bag of frozen vegetables that is covered in a towel.
Tooth Decay and Cavities
Tooth decay is damage to a tooth caused by plaque which has turned sugar into acid in the mouth. If you allow plaque to build up in your teeth, it can lead to tooth decay and create holes in your teeth. These holes are called cavities.
Here are three effective and safe home remedies for tooth decay.
Oil pulling: gargling with oil is an old procedure believed to treat many diseases. It is also particularly beneficial for cavities. Coconut oil and mustard oil are the most preferred options. The oil needs to be gargled for a total of 5 minutes a day.
Clove oil: Applying clove oil to the infected region will do wonders because the clove has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and hence assists in cavity protection. This can be done twice or three times a day.
Guava leaves: guava leaves have an antimicrobial effect that can help in cavity treatment. One may either chew guava leaves or add crushed leaves to boiling water and use the mixture as a mouthwash.
Conclusion
Teeth problems are a part of life. The good thing is that many teeth problems can be treated at home. Bear in mind that home remedies for tooth pain only offer immediate pain relief. If you are suffering from tooth pain, please visit your dentist as soon as it’s possible to do so, because he or she would be able to perform a detailed dental examination, uncover the source of the problem and find a cure.