Home Remedies for Cleaning Teeth and Gums
March 25, 2024
At Park Crossing Dentistry in Charlotte, NC, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive dental care personalized to our patients’ needs. We offer a range of services to promote optimal oral health, including advanced teeth cleaning and gum care treatments.
As advocates for preventive dentistry, we believe in empowering our patients with the knowledge and tools to enhance their oral health between dental visits. Let’s review some simple gum health and teeth cleaning home remedies.
The Importance of Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for your overall health and well-being. The most common dental health issues include cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and discolored teeth.
Practicing the basic steps like brushing and flossing twice a day can considerably improve your long-term oral health. When you add regular dental check-ups and professional dental cleanings to the mix, you can easily prevent the build-up of plaque and bacteria inside your mouth.
The American Dental Association (ADA) considers home oral care as an important contributor to oral health, something that can help reduce the need for dental treatments in the future.
Plaque and bacterial build-up is a daily threat to your oral health. This can happen every time you eat a meal, or drink any beverage containing sugar. To combat this risk, the ADA recommends the following basic home oral care practices:
- Brushing your teeth twice every day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste
- Cleaning between your teeth using dental floss or interdental brushes
- Reducing your daily intake of sugar, alcohol, and tobacco
- Visiting your dentist twice a year for routine dental check-ups
Other ways to clean teeth and gums at home are the additional steps you can take on top of these basic oral care strategies to improve certain aspects of your oral hygiene and gum health. These are traditional/natural treatments that rely on household spices, herbs, and other items to alleviate certain symptoms and promote well-being.
Limitations of Home Teeth Cleaning Remedies
It’s important to recognize that home remedies have their limitations. While they can be beneficial for maintenance, they are not a substitute for professional dental care. Routine dental checkups and cleanings are crucial for detecting and addressing underlying dental issues that home remedies alone may not resolve.
Additionally, home remedies may not be suitable for everyone and could potentially cause harm if used incorrectly. Therefore, you should consult with your dentist before incorporating any home remedies into your oral hygiene regimen. By combining home remedies with regular dental care, you can achieve optimal oral health and a radiant smile.
Effective Home Remedies for Teeth Cleaning
Even with daily brushing and flossing, your teeth can gradually lose their white color over time. Age is one contributing factor in the yellowing of teeth. As we grow older, the outer layer of enamel on our teeth gradually wears out, revealing the yellow dentin layer underneath.
The yellowing caused by age-related erosion of enamel cannot be reversed using any home remedies. Treatment options do exist, but you will have to consult your dentist to find the right one for you.
However, other factors can also lead to the discoloration of your teeth. Your diet and lifestyle are huge factors here. A high-sugar diet can attract more bacteria, resulting in plaque and tartar buildup. Coffee and tea contain caffeine, which can cause a yellow stain.
In discoloration caused by these factors, home remedies can sometimes help whiten teeth, fight plaque buildup, and prevent tooth decay.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
The combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can help reduce plaque build-up and reduce stains to help whiten teeth. The most common home remedy involves the creation of a basic toothpaste.
To make this natural teeth-whitening paste, mix 2 to 3 teaspoons of baking soda with a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Brush your teeth with this paste no more than two or three times per week. Always rinse thoroughly with water after brushing.
Safety Considerations
Excessive use of hydrogen peroxide can damage your tooth enamel and lead to heightened temperature sensitivity and long-term damage. To reduce the risks, try to use weak hydrogen peroxide solutions (below 5% concentration, non-industrial) and limit your use.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
ACV is widely suggested as a home remedy for numerous conditions. One of its potential benefits is a whitening effect on teeth. A common recipe involves mixing ACV with baking soda to create a mouthwash.
This is supposedly a slow-acting remedy—effects may not appear for several weeks. For safety reasons, it’s best to dilute the mouthwash solution by mixing one part of ACV with two or even three parts of warm water.
Safety Considerations
ACV contains acetic acid, which can erode tooth enamel with prolonged exposure. The vinegar can also cause throat burn and potentially interact with diabetic medication and various other drugs. The risks often outweigh the benefits of using ACV for teeth whitening.
Citrus Fruit Peels
Another common home remedy for teeth whitening involves rubbing lemon or orange peels directly onto the affected area. These peels usually contain a combination of citric acid and an aromatic compound called d-limonene, which may have a whitening action.
To use this home remedy, simply cut up some orange, lemon, or tangerine peels and gently rub them on your teeth for around two minutes. Rinse your mouth thoroughly after applying the treatment.
Safety Considerations
Acid in the fruit peel is the primary cause for concern in this home remedy. Prolonged exposure to citric acid can attack the enamel and cause further yellowing of the teeth. This is why the ADA does not endorse rubbing fruit peels and pieces directly on the teeth. However, eating lots of fresh fruit can help improve your oral health and help maintain your appearance.
Home Remedies to Support Gum Health
In its very early stages, periodontitis or gum disease manifests in the form of gingivitis. Common symptoms include swollen red gums and minor bleeding when you brush your teeth. This condition is caused when excess plaque builds up along the gum line.
If left untreated, gingivitis will eventually progress into periodontitis, a more advanced stage where your teeth can eventually fall out. Apart from basic oral hygiene, you can try the following home remedies to treat gingivitis when it first appears:
Saline Rinse
The simplest home remedy to treat inflammation in your gums is frequent rinsing with salt water. Salt is a decent disinfectant that can kill some strains of bacteria. To create a saline mix at home, first, boil some water, allow it to cool down to a lukewarm temperature, and pour it into a glass.
Then add a three-quarter teaspoon of salt. Rinse your mouth with this saline solution, ensuring even application across your gum line. Do not swallow the solution after rinsing. You can repeat this process three times every day.
Safety Considerations
As long as you use clean salt and properly boiled water, there are no major risks associated with saltwater.
Homemade Mouthwash
Sage, tea tree oil, aloe vera juice, and lemongrass oil have all been suggested as potentially useful in the treatment of gingivitis. To create a homemade mouthwash with any of these ingredients, you can follow these steps:
- If you have pure aloe vera juice, you can use it undiluted to rinse your mouth.
- Add two to three drops of the essential oils to a cup of warm water to create a mild herbal mouthwash.
- Simmer two tablespoons of fresh sage (or one tablespoon of dried sage) in boiling water for 10 minutes and cool it down to create a sage mouthwash
Safety Considerations
With many essential oils, the main concern is accidental ingestion of the liquid. This can lead to various toxic effects, which in the case of tea tree oil can include confusion, lack of muscle control, and loss of consciousness.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is the process of swirling oil inside your mouth for an extended period before spitting it out. Coconut oil is recommended for oil pulling as it has some antibacterial properties.
The process is quite simple—put two teaspoons of oil in your mouth and swirl it around for as long as you can. Although 30 minutes is ideal, most beginners can only manage to do it for a few minutes. After spitting the oil, drink a glass of water.
Safety Considerations
As long as you use pure, high-quality coconut oil and don’t accidentally swallow it, oil pulling is a relatively safe home remedy. The important thing with any home remedy is to consult a qualified dentist in Pineville, NC if there is no improvement in your symptoms.
Advanced Teeth Cleaning and Gum Care for You and Your Loved Ones in Charlotte, NC
While home remedies for teeth and gums cleaning can complement your oral hygiene routine, they are not a substitute for professional dental care and regular dental checkups. At Park Crossing Dentistry, we offer a wide range of advanced general and restorative dental treatment options.
If you are looking for professional teeth cleaning in Pineville and other areas around Charlotte, NC, look no further than Park Crossing Dentistry. Our experienced team can provide high-quality care customized to your individual needs. To schedule your appointment, call 980-217-8517 or fill out this online contact form.