Gum Abscess Home Remedy: 10 Remedies You Should Know About

Have you ever had one of those red/whitish painful bumps in the space between your teeth and your gum? If you have then you know just how irritating and extremely uncomfortable a gum abscess can be. Also known as a periodontal abscess, a gum abscess is not to be confused with a tooth abscess although they both bring with them great discomfort and pain.

This infection typically occurs when food gets trapped between your gum and tooth. When this happens, bacteria can build up under your gum and in the bone thus not only causing gum abscess but also increasing your risk of periodontal disease. The typical symptoms of gum abscess include:

• Painful or tender gums
• Swelling around the abscess
• A red or whitish bump in the gum
• The presence of pus on the red or whitish bump

While it is highly advisable to see a dentist should your gum abscess be too severe and painful, some highly effective home remedies can help you manage the condition, if not get rid of it entirely. Here are some home remedies for gum abscess you can try today.

Home Remedies for a Gum Abscess

1. Salt water

This is the first and simplest home remedies for gum abscess. Salt water is extremely effective for most oral issues simply because it temporarily raises the mouth’s pH levels. This, in turn, creates an alkaline environment that makes it inhospitable to bacteria. Here is what you should do:

• Take 1/2 teaspoon of salt and mix it in 6 ounces of warm water
• Swish that mixture around in your mouth for about 30 seconds
• Repeat until the water is gone

Do this about three times a day until your abscess is gone.

2. Peppermint Oil

Since peppermint oil has wonderful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, it is a great home remedy for pain caused by a gum abscess. Furthermore, it is easy to use:

• Put three drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball
• Place that directly onto the site of the gum abscess
• Gently massage

Repeat this process every day until the abscess is gone.

3. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Organic apple cider vinegar is an excellent disinfectant that reduces pain and swelling associated with a gum abscess.

• Take one tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar
• Swish that around in your mouth for about 15 minutes
• Spit it out and rinse your mouth with warm water

Repeat this process every day until your gum abscess has disappeared.

4. Cold Compress

Cold compresses are primarily used to numb any injured areas and decrease swelling. Take a couple of ice cubes and wrap them in a small towel then directly apply it on the outside of your mouth where the gum abscess is located for a few minutes.

5. Turmeric

Just like peppermint oil, turmeric has some incredible anti-inflammatory properties that come in great handy when dealing with things like gum abscess. Turmeric not only helps with the swelling but with the pain as well. Here is what you need to do:

• Make a turmeric paste by combining a bit of turmeric with some water
• Apply that paste directly to the gum abscess and let it sit for about 15 minutes
• Rinse your mouth out with warm water

Repeat this remedy every day until your gum abscess disappears.

6. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic agent. The combination of baking soda and salt work together to help the abscess burst and drain its puss. As it does that, it prevents any other infections from forming on the site of the open wound. Here is what you need to do:

• Mix a tablespoon of salt with a tablespoon of baking soda in some water to make a paste
• Use a cotton ball to apply this paste directly to the abscess and let it sit for about 15 minutes
• Apply some pressure to make sure that the abscess is completely drained
• Rinse your mouth out with warm water

This is a one-time application that works perfectly well. It should be stated that this remedy is meant to be used only when the abscess hasn’t burst open yet.

7. Oil Pulling

This is where you combine a number of natural oils to form a coalition of anti-inflammatory oils. You can use coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and organic sesame oil.

• Mix a tablespoon each of the oils that you want on your list
• Swish this around your mouth for about 20 minutes and then spit it out
• Rinse your mouth out with warm water (optional)

This combination is not only excellent for abscess treatment, but it is also highly effective when it comes to combating an assortment of oral issues such as bad breath, cavities, and toothaches.

8. Garlic

Garlic has a powerful antibacterial agent called allicin which makes it perfect as a home remedy for oral issues such as gum abscess. There are two ways you can use garlic:

Way 1: Crush some cloves to extract the garlic juice and then use a cotton ball to apply that juice directly onto the abscess.

Way 2: Peel a clove of garlic and cut it into half. Place that directly onto the abscess for about 10 minutes

Repeat this process until the abscess is gone.

9. Fenugreek Tea

Fenugreek tea has a long and illustrious history of use as a reliable home remedy for issues such as inflammation and healing wounds. You can simply walk down to your local supermarket and buy a jar or packet of ground Fenugreek. Here is what you need to do:

• Heat up some water and put a teaspoon of ground Fenugreek to make tea
• Once it cools, apply the mixture to the abscess using a cotton ball

You can repeat this process up to three times a day until the abscess is gone.

10. Hydrogen Peroxide

This is a wonderful agent for reducing plaque and fighting oral issues such as bleeding gums. It is particularly useful in fighting gum abscess because it has some serious antibacterial properties. Here is what you need to do:

• Take 3% hydrogen peroxide and mix it in equal parts with some water
• Swish the solution around in your mouth for some time and spit it out
• DO NOT swallow any of that solution.
• Rinse your mouth out thoroughly with warm water

Hydrogen peroxide can be used several times a day.

If left untreated, a gum abscess is a serious infection that can lead to further oral complication. While the home remedies listed above do work, they are meant to act as complementary treatments. Should your abscess persist, see a doctor immediately.

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