For most people oral care is only about brushing their teeth. Actually, the term should be cleaning your mouth because there is more to it than teeth. Gum disease is very common among adults and it's often painless. The only obvious symptom is a little bleeding and some people mistake that for sensitivity.
Gum disease is caused by bacteria and it's a serious infection. We are going to tell you what to do to take care of your gums, spot the warning signs and prevent the disease. Keep reading if you want to keep your teeth until you are very old.
Read more ¿Qué más?: 5 Crazy natural remedies that actually work
Gum or periodontal disease is the result of poor oral hygiene. The mouth is full of bacteria and if you don't get rid of it after every meal it stays in your mouth. You have to brush, floss and scrape your tongue after every meal to prevent cavities and gum disease.
If you have constant bad breath, your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, you can't eat an apple and your teeth move easily, you should see a dentist right away. You have to be careful because your teeth can fall out from the infection. The bacteria in your gums will eat the root of your teeth and cause them to fall out.
These are few natural remedies you can try to ease the pain of swollen gums and target a minor infection. This is something you can do in the early stages.
1. Baking soda: It's the basic ingredient in most toothpastes for a reason. Baking soda neutralizes the acids in your mouth.
2. Salt water: Salt is good for reducing inflammation and breaking down bacteria. You should rinse your mouth at least four times a day.
3. Tea bag: If your gums can handle it, put a warm tea bag on them. The caffeine and tannic acid in the tea will target the infection and start healing.
4. Honey: Rub honey on the infected gum and leave it on for several minutes. Honey has natural antiseptic properties that help heal infections.
5. Lemons: Rich in vitamin C, lemons have anti-inflammatory properties. Put some fresh lemon juice on your gums and keep it on for a few minutes. Rinse with salt water and brush your teeth.
If you don't see improvement after a week you should see the dentist ASAP.
Image via Corbis
