If you are here, it is because you are suffering from gingivitis and are looking for a treatment based on essential oils to cure it. Indeed, it is true that essential oils are a very effective way to treat gums naturally. However, it is important to know whether you want to use an aromatherapist who knows the most effective treatments with essential oils or whether you would prefer to opt for home treatments to start with and see if the situation improves.
Here is a guide to help you choose the right essential oil to treat your gingivitis.
The different forms of gingivitis
- Ulcero-necrotic gingivitis : This is the rare form of gingivitis. It is characterised by intense pain, bleeding from the gums, swelling and severe redness of the tissues in the oral cavity. It is a serious disease that requires prompt intervention by a specialist.
- Hyperplastic gingivitis : This is a disorder that leads to a significant increase in the surface area of the gums. In the most extreme cases, the teeth can no longer be distinguished.
- Simple gingivitis : This is the most common form of gingivitis. It is the inflammation of the gums caused by plaque. It is very rarely malignant.
- Localized hypertrophic gingivitis : This is a tumour with a rather dark raspberry colour that causes a significant swelling of the gums.
The different types of essential oils to use
Tea tree essential oil
Tea tree oil or melaleuca is an essential oil made from the vapour of the leaves and twig tips of the tea tree. It is mainly known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It helps to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and fight against bacteria in the mouth. It is not recommended for pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Clove essential oil
This essential oil comes from the distilled cloves of the clove tree. It is used above all for its analgesic properties. It is the essential oil par excellence for relieving all dental pain thanks to its analgesic and anti-infectious properties. Indeed, it is much more powerful than lidocaine, which is a local anaesthetic that acts on the transmission of nerve information.
Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint essential oil is rich in menthol. It is known for its analgesic, anaesthetic and disinfectant properties (it is antibacterial). It is therefore recommended in case of dental pain (especially as it freshens the breath and improves digestion). As it is a powerful essential oil, it is best not to use it pure as an overdose is harmful to your oral health.
Noble laurel essential oil
The properties of Laurel essential oil are explained by the presence of active compounds present in the laurel leaves. Eugenol is the aromatic compound present in laurel essential oil which gives it analgesic properties on dental pain. It will relieve tooth sensitivity to the maximum. In addition, the molecule 1,8 cineol also has anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat gingivitis.
The different home recipes with essential oils
Recipe based on Cistus and Tea Tree essential oil
The essential oil of Cistus is an oil known for its antiviral, anti-infectious and antibacterial properties. It is also haemostatic, which gives it the ability to stop minor bleeding from the teeth in cases of gingivitis. In addition, Tea Tree oil helps prevent the appearance of plaque and also de-inflames and strengthens the gum tissue.
Here's how you should go about this recipe:
- Take a tinted glass bottle that includes a dropper
- Put 5 ml of Cistus essential oil and 5 ml of Tea Tree essential oil
- Put 1 to 2 drops of the mixture on the gums 3 times a day after brushing and massage for a few minutes
- Put a drop of this mixture on the toothpaste
Clove recipe
Clove has analgesic and antiseptic properties that help to soothe toothache and reduce tooth sensitivity in cases of gingivitis. It relieves painful gums. It is also rich in eugenol which is a natural component active in the elimination of bacteria from dental plaque. It helps to purify the mouth to disinfect the oral infection.
Here is how you should use this recipe:
In mouthwash : You must infuse 4 or 5 cloves in a cup of boiling water and then let it cool. Then you must make a mouthwash after each meal.
In essential oil : You must put 1 drop of clove oil on your fingertip and then apply against the tooth and massage the gum.
Peppermint recipe
The main effect of this essential oil is to inhibit inflammation. It contains menthol, which acts as a local anaesthetic by providing a cold sensation that reduces the sensation of intense pain. In the case of gingivitis, it reduces swelling and reddening of the gums, but also sensitivity to touch and bleeding during brushing. It therefore limits the accumulation of bacteria that cause plaque.
This is how you should use this recipe :
- Mix one or two drops with a little toothpaste
- Apply the mixture directly to the tooth or gum in the painful area.
- Repeat this application two or three times a day.
- You can also use it as a mouthwash, by putting a drop of essential oil in a glass of water and insisting on the sensitive area.
Recipe based on noble laurel
The essential oil of laurel has analgesic properties but also anti-nervous system. Indeed, it contains eugenol and one of its derivatives, methyl eugenol, which even in small proportions give the essential oil a perfect effectiveness on dental pain. It is also antibacterial, which allows it to eliminate the bacteria of the dental plaque that causes gingivitis.
Here's how to make this recipe:
- Put 1 teaspoon of thyme honey in a large cup
- Add 1 drop of clove EO, then 1 drop of bay leaf EO and/or 1 drop of frankincense EO and mix.
- Pour 30 g of thyme flowering tops into 1 litre of simmering water.
- Cover and leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes, filter, pour the thyme infusion into the cup then mix and leave to cool.
For the essential oils to work well to start a gingivitis treatment, you can opt for an electric toothbrush like the Y-Brush with fluoride-free toothpaste. It can remove 15% more than a traditional toothbrush.
Precautions to take with gingivitis
- Brushing your teeth after every meal is the first way to get rid of gingivitis
- Opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush as it allows you to brush the interdental spaces easily enough to avoid damaging the tooth enamel
- Use dental floss or interdental brushes to get rid of food residues that get stuck between teeth and on gums.
- Use red wine as a mouthwash to limit the growth of bacteria and soothe oral pain.
You can also use the Y-Brush toothbrush which allows you to brush all the teeth and their sides at the same time for good brushing efficiency. This means you don't have to worry about brushing well and everywhere, thanks to the bristles throughout the brush and the right angle.
We hope this guide has helped you understand the different characteristics of gingivitis. We hope you have also understood that using essential oils to treat gingivitis is not the same as treatment by a dentist. It is only a back-up solution before resorting to an effective treatment. There is no one essential oil that is more effective than another of the ones we have mentioned. You can also try aromatherapy. This is a non-conventional medicine that revolves around the use of essential oils for the well-being of the body. It refers to the use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes. The aromatherapist advises his patients on these uses depending on the stage of the gingivitis.
