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Simple Home Remedy for Gingivitis

A retired dentist recommends a home remedy for gingivitis using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore.

Gingivitis, the technical term for inflammation of the gums, can be a serious problem. Research has linked it to elevated or hard-to-control blood pressure. Not surprisingly, people with gingivitis are more likely to lose teeth as they age. In addition, they may be at higher risk for cancer (Epidemiologic Reviews, Jan. 2017). Some medications including statins can increase the chance that a person might experience gum inflammation. Could a simple home remedy for gingivitis really help?

Retired Dentist Offers Home Remedy for Gingivitis:

Q. I am a retired dentist, and I would like to share a home remedy I have recommended to patients with gingivitis. Mix baking soda with enough hydrogen peroxide to form a paste and put some on the toothbrush. Then scrub the gums where they meet the teeth. I found that this helped prevent periodontal surgery for my patients.

A. Although this remedy has been around for decades, there are very few scientific studies to support its benefits. Both hydrogen peroxide and baking soda have antibacterial activity and have independently been used for oral hygiene. Consequently, it does appear to make sense. We wish researchers would examine it, though.

One controlled trial employed a post-foaming dental gel containing hydrogen peroxide, sodium bicarbonate and the antibacterial agent cetylpyridinium (Journal of Peridontology, Dec. 2020).  While it demonstrated some benefit, we would always encourage people with gingivitis to check in with a dentist or periodontist regularly to monitor progress. Twice daily brushing for more than two minutes and flossing every day as well as not smoking are standard recommendations for keeping gingivitis under control (Journal of Clinical Periodontology, April 2015). According to a review of the research, interdental brushes might prove even more effective than floss (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, April 10, 2019).

Given your clinical experience, we imagine that adding this home remedy for gingivitis to the daily regimen might be useful. Neither baking soda nor hydrogen peroxide is expensive, so it should be affordable as well.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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Citations
  • Michaud DS et al, "Periodontal disease, tooth loss, and cancer risk." Epidemiologic Reviews, Jan. 2017. DOI: 10.1093/epirev/mxx006
  • Levine JB et al, "Efficacy of a novel post-foaming dental gel on gingival inflammation: A randomized controlled clinical trial." Journal of Peridontology, Dec. 2020. DOI: 10.1002/JPER.19-0594
  • Chapple ILC et al, "Primary prevention of periodontitis: managing gingivitis." Journal of Clinical Periodontology, April 2015. DOI: 10.1111/jcpe.12366
  • Worthington HV et al, "Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, April 10, 2019. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012018.pub2
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