What is the treatment for gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)?

From the Guidelines

Gingivitis treatment should prioritize the use of a 0.1% turmeric mouthwash, as it has been shown to be effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis levels, comparable to a 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash 1. To manage gingivitis, a combination of professional dental care and improved home oral hygiene is necessary.

• Start by scheduling a professional dental cleaning (scaling) to remove plaque and tartar buildup that's causing the inflammation.
• At home, brush your teeth twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, paying special attention to the gumline.
• Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth where brushes can't reach.
• Consider using a 0.1% turmeric mouthwash, as studies have shown it to be effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis levels, with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties 1.
• Alternatively, a triphala mouthwash may also be considered, as recent studies have shown it to be comparable to chlorhexidine in reducing gingival inflammation indices and plaque levels 1.
• For pain relief, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (400mg every 6-8 hours) can help reduce inflammation.
• Salt water rinses (half teaspoon salt in 8 ounces warm water) several times daily can also soothe gums. These treatments work by removing bacterial plaque that triggers the immune response causing gum inflammation.
• Most cases of gingivitis resolve within 10-14 days of proper treatment, but maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to prevent recurrence.
• If symptoms persist beyond two weeks despite these measures, consult a dentist as more advanced periodontal disease may be present.

From the Research

Treatment for Gingivitis

The treatment for gingivitis involves a combination of good oral hygiene practices and professional dental care. Some key points to consider include:

• Brushing teeth at least twice a day for at least 2 minutes with fluoridated dentifrice 2
• Using a re-chargeable power toothbrush can provide additional reductions in gingival inflammation and plaque levels 2
• Inter-dental cleaning is recommended, with inter-dental brushes (IDBs) being the device of choice for interproximal plaque removal 2
• The use of local or systemic anti-inflammatory agents in the management of gingivitis has no robust evidence base 2
• Chlorhexidine mouthrinse can be used as an adjunct to mechanical oral hygiene procedures to reduce gingivitis and plaque 3
• A dentifrice with 0.454% stannous fluoride and 2.6% EDTA has been shown to demonstrate significant improvements in clinical parameters associated with gingivitis compared to other sodium and stannous fluoride containing dentifrices 4

Professional Dental Care

Professional dental care, including:

• Professional tooth cleaning with mechanical instruments 5
• Supragingival scaling and polishing 6
• Oral hygiene instruction and professional prophylaxis 6 can help to reduce the frequency of gingivitis and prevent caries.

Additional Considerations

• The substitution of mechanical cleaning procedures with topical application of a 0.5% chlorhexidine gel may not be effective in removing supragingival plaque accumulations, reducing the frequency of gingivitis, and retarding the rate of caries development 5
• Interdental cleaning with mechanical instruments is important in the prevention of approximal surface caries 5
• Maintaining personal and professional oral hygiene can help to reduce the clinical signs of desquamative gingivitis, regardless of its pathogenesis 6