Table of contents:
- Drug options at the pharmacy for gingivitis
- 1. Pain relievers
- 2. Antibiotics
- 3. Chlorhexidine mouthwash
- Choice of natural remedies for gingivitis
- 1. Salt water
- 2. Water
- 3. Cold compress
- 4. Guava leaves
- 6. Lemongrass oil
- 7. Aloe vera
- 8.Coconut oil (oil pulling)
- 9. Tea tree oil
- 10. Hydrogen peroxide solution
- 11. Maintain intake of vitamin C and vitamin K
- 12. Stop smoking
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums which is the most common oral health problem. Gingivitis makes the gums swollen and the mouth feels sore and sore throbbing. Fortunately, there are a number of natural and medical gingivitis medications that can be a way to treat gingivitis and relieve the symptoms from getting worse. Anything?
Drug options at the pharmacy for gingivitis
The main cause of gingivitis (gingivitis) is the buildup of plaque on the surface of the teeth or below the gum line. Plaque that continues to accumulate due to a bacterial infection can cause the gums to become inflamed.
Without proper treatment, this condition can turn into a more serious infection such as periodontitis. Therefore, you need the right medicine so that gingivitis does not get worse.
The following is a selection of drugs commonly used to treat gingivitis or inflammation of the gums:
1. Pain relievers
In certain cases, gingivitis can also be accompanied by pain or tingling that can radiate to the head. Well, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve the pain.
Both of these drugs can help relieve gingivitis as well as reduce pain in the affected gum area.
Both paracetamol and ibuprofen can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription. Even so, you must always be careful and read the rules for using drugs before using them.
If you don't understand or are in doubt about what dosage to take, ask your pharmacist or doctor immediately. Doctors and pharmacists will help explain how to use as well as a safe dosage for your condition.
2. Antibiotics
If the gum inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics have a function to fight or inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause infection.
That way, you can avoid the risk of serious gum infection.
However, antibiotics to treat gingivitis should not be taken carelessly. Make sure you take the antibiotics according to your doctor's instructions and dosage. Never add, reduce, shorten, or lengthen a drug dose without your doctor's approval.
Inappropriate use of antibiotics can make the disease more difficult to treat. Therefore, pay close attention when the doctor gives instructions for using antibiotics.
3. Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Chlorhexidine (pronounced: chlorhexidine) is a mouthwash that can be used to treat inflammation and swelling of the gums. This drug is also effective at helping eradicate infection-causing bacteria in the mouth.
Use this gingivitis medication according to the instructions for use on the product label, or according to your doctor's instructions. Do not use this medication in amounts and doses that are larger and more frequent than recommended.
Mouthwash chlorhexidine not to be swallowed. After use, immediately dispose of the used water.
Choice of natural remedies for gingivitis
Not only taking pain relievers or other types of medication that you can buy at the pharmacy, there are a variety of natural home remedies that you can try. Here are natural gingivitis or gum inflammation remedies that you can try:
1. Salt water
Since ancient times, salt water has been trusted as a natural mouthwash to treat various oral and dental problems, one of which is gingivitis.
Salt can help reduce inflammation as well as kill bad bacteria in the mouth that cause infection.
As a gingivitis medication, you can simply dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle salt water several times a day so that inflamed gums can quickly improve.
2. Water
You may never think that plain water can be a natural remedy for gingivitis.
In fact, this fluid intake can help the mouth produce more saliva to fight disease-causing bad bacteria.
In addition, saliva can also help clean the inside of the mouth and rinse the teeth to keep them clean.
3. Cold compress
Source: Greensboro Dentist
Another home remedy for gingivitis or gingivitis that you can try is a cold compress.
It's easy. Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean washcloth or towel, then apply them to the affected side of the cheek. Then let stand a few minutes.
A cold compress can help relieve inflammation and swelling of the gums. Cold temperature is also effective for reducing pain and stopping bleeding in the gums.
4. Guava leaves
Not only salt, guava leaf boiled water can also be used as a natural mouthwash to treat gingivitis.
Several studies have found that guava leaves can help reduce plaque that forms on the surface of the teeth. Guava leaves can also be used to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and freshen breath.
You do this by grinding about 5-6 pieces of guava leaves, add a pinch of salt, then boil it to a boil. Let it cool down then use the boiled water of guava as a mouthwash.
6. Lemongrass oil
Research in 2015 stated that lemongrass oil was effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis.
How to use lemongrass oil as a mouthwash by diluting 2-3 drops of lemongrass essential oil in a cup of water. Gargle for 30 seconds, remove the water from your mouth, and repeat 2-3 times per day.
Make sure to always dilute the lemon grass oil mouthwash when used as a traditional gingivitis remedy so that it doesn't cause further irritation.
7. Aloe vera
Research in 2016 says that aloe vera is just as effective chlorhexidine in reducing plaque and gingivitis. Both of these methods can drastically reduce the symptoms of gingivitis.
The trick is to process fresh aloe vera (make sure it is 100 percent pure and first clean the sap) into juice. After that, rinse your mouth with the juice for 30 seconds, and can be repeated 2-3 times per day.
If you have an allergic reaction to aloe vera, you should not use this ingredient as a mouthwash.
8.Coconut oil (oil pulling)
Oil pulling is a technique of gargling with virgin coconut oil for 30 minutes. Coconut oil can reduce plaque-causing bacteria and symptoms of gum inflammation.
The trick is to scoop out two tablespoons of coconut oil, put it in your mouth, and gargle for 30 minutes. Make sure to reach each side of the gum and deepest tooth area using the tongue.
Discard after 30 minutes, then cover with a glass of water. After that, clean your teeth as usual with toothpaste and a toothbrush.
Gargling that long might make you nauseous at first, so you can do it in a shorter time the first time around.
9. Tea tree oil
According to a study published in 2014, mouthwash tea tree oil can reduce bleeding gingivitis.
How to use this natural remedy is by dropping three drops of tea tree oil to a cup of warm water. Do gargle for 30 seconds, discard the mouth rinse, and repeat 2-3 times per day.
Tea tree oil it must be diluted, as its natural form in high doses can cause an allergic reaction, or skin rash. Not only that, this content can also cause interactions with certain drugs, dietary supplements, and spices.
Apart from that, you can also add a drop tea tree oil to toothpaste when brushing your teeth.
If you experience symptoms that get worse, such as severe pain or bleeding, or if your gingivitis doesn't get better with this natural gingivitis medicine, see your dentist immediately.
10. Hydrogen peroxide solution
A hydrogen peroxide solution is a mouthwash of choice for treating bleeding gums due to gingivitis. Hydrogen peroxide kills the bacteria that cause infection, as well as loosens plaque and stops bleeding in the gums.
You can buy this drug at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. Do not use a pure hydrogen peroxide solution as a mouthwash, as this can irritate your mouth.
Dilute a small amount of hydrogen peroxide solution in a glass of water, then gargle for 30 seconds. Discard the used water afterwards. Then, rinse your mouth with a sip of water.
11. Maintain intake of vitamin C and vitamin K
Gums often bleed for no reason, maybe it means you don't get enough vitamins C and K. If you have this, besides taking supplements, eat lots of foods high in vitamin C and vitamin K as a natural remedy for bleeding gums.
Vitamin C has the benefit of strengthening the immune system as well as fighting bacteria that cause inflamed gums. You can get Vitamin C from fresh fruit such as oranges, mangoes, guava, or strawberries.
While vitamin K is equally important for preventing and overcoming bleeding gums. Why? This vitamin works to increase blood clotting so that bleeding in the gums subsides quickly.
You can get vitamin K from broccoli, spinach, or mustard greens.
12. Stop smoking
Everyone knows that smoking is bad for health, as well as for oral health. Cigarettes can inhibit the body's resistance to fighting infections that cause bleeding gums.
Not only that, cigarettes can also make your mouth dry and taste sour. This oral condition makes it easier for the bacteria in it to multiply and worsens the infection.
Therefore, quitting smoking is the most effective solution and medicine to treat gum disease. Try starting out slowly by cutting back on one cigarette from day to day.
For those of you who don't smoke but are always close to the smoke, the risk of experiencing the same thing also remains. So, as much as possible avoid exposure to cigarette smoke from the surrounding environment.