How to Deal with Dental Problems with Home Remedies
Dental problems bother everyone at some point, and that’s when you realize how painful a broken tooth or swollen gums can be! However, some dental issues, like bad breath and yellow teeth, may not be as painful, but they can cause embarrassment.
According to data from 2015-2018, 25.9% of adults aged 20-44 in the US have untreated dental caries (cavities). Even among children, 13.2% suffer from untreated cavities. In fact, globally, 2.5 billion people are affected by untreated dental caries, while 1 billion people suffer from severe gum disease.
The good news is that many dental problems can be dealt with effectively using time-tested and reliable home remedies. Here’s how you can manage some of the most common dental problems with easy solutions.
Home Remedies for Top Five Dental Problems
1. Bad Breath
Bad breath can cause awkwardness and humiliation, but it can be managed with simple remedies:
- Chew fennel seeds or parsley to freshen your breath.
- Boil six or eight fenugreek leaves in water. Use this solution as a mouthwash twice daily.
Untreated bad breath, known as halitosis, can be linked to poor oral hygiene or gum disease. Periodontitis, a serious gum infection, affects 42% of US adults aged 30 and older.
2. Gum Infection
Gum infections can be soothed with the following remedies:
- Rinse your mouth with warm saline water at least three times a day to prevent plaque buildup.
- Chew basil leaves first thing in the morning to calm irritated gums.
- Rub the affected area with a mixture of mustard oil and a pinch of salt to treat mild infections.
Gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. From 2015 to 2018, 13.6% of US adults aged 65 and older experienced complete tooth loss. However, this is a significant improvement from earlier data, where 27.3% of seniors suffered complete tooth loss from 1999 to 2004.
3. Bleeding Gums
For bleeding gums, try these easy remedies:
- Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the paste on your gums before brushing your teeth.
- Add a drop of tea tree oil to your toothpaste to help prevent gum disease.
- Rinse your mouth with saline water twice daily.
Periodontitis, which often causes bleeding gums, affects a significant number of people. Although the rate of periodontitis has decreased over the years (from 47.2% in 1988-1994 to 42% in 2009-2014), it remains a global concern, especially among adults.
4. Toothache
Toothache can be very uncomfortable, but these remedies provide relief:
- Apply clove oil for instant relief as it has antibacterial and anesthetic properties.
- If you have a cavity, put turmeric powder on a cotton ball and press it against the cavity.
- Press a garlic clove on the affected area for additional pain relief.
Toothaches are often caused by dental cavities, a problem that affects nearly 26% of US adults aged 20-44. It is important to address tooth pain early to prevent further complications.
5. Yellow Teeth
Yellow teeth can be embarrassing, but these remedies can help restore a white smile:
- Scrub your teeth with a paste of baking soda and water once a week.
- Rub your teeth with strawberry paste twice daily for at least a month to see results.
- Occasionally, clean your teeth with a mixture of mustard oil and holy basil leaves paste. With consistent use, the yellowish tinge will fade, and you’ll be able to show off a bright, white smile.
As of 2019, 65.5% of adults in the US reported having visited the dentist in the past year. Regular dental visits can help maintain white, healthy teeth, preventing common problems like yellowing and decay.
Importance of Regular Dental Care
It’s crucial to maintain regular dental visits, as many dental issues can be caught early before they become serious. The percentage of adults visiting a dentist has remained relatively stable since 2000, with 65.5% in 2019 compared to 66.5% in 2000. Among children, dental visits have increased significantly from 74.1% in 2000 to 85.9% in 2019. Regular check-ups, combined with home remedies, can significantly reduce the risk of dental problems.
Source: Youtube
