Gum boils, also known as parulus, usually develop as drainage spots for different forms of abscesses across the oral cavity. Due to the nature of the abscesses, these boils tend to develop at the roots of the teeth.Teeth have nerve endings in their inner structure.

When these nerves are severed or damaged, they tend to clump at the root of the tooth and cause infections. The body responds to this by releasing white blood cells to combat the infection. When these cells dies off, they accumulate at the end of the tooth and cause abscess to form. If no treatment is availed to get rid of the abscess, it drains through the tissues of the oral cavity. The point at which the abscess drains is known as the gum boil or parulus.

cloves

Despite the location of the gum boils right on top of the tooth, these boils often cause extremely painful toothaches. The reason for the pain is attributed to the inflammation that compresses the nerves around the affected tooth root. Other accompanying symptoms include extreme sensitivity to hot and cold foods, foul mouth odor, fever as well as tender gums. Most affected persons experience pain while chewing, and the gum boils often manifest with swollen glands too. Left unchecked, gum boil easily leads to loss of teeth as well as destruction of the jaw structure.

Getting medical attention is imperative for the treatment of gum boils. Book a dental appointment to have your teeth checked. Remember too, that there are natural remedies available for the treatment of gum boils at home. These remedies are not intended to replace medical attention, but go a long way in helping manage the symptoms of gum boils and reducing the pain.

1. Cloves:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Toothbrush, toothpaste and clove oil. Cloves/ cloves powder, gauze and cotton ball.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Cloves make up one of the most effective home remedies for the natural treatment of a host of dental conditions, of which gum boils are are part of. These cloves are packed with anti-fungal and antibacterial properties which are extremely important as they help fight off the infection. This, in turn, relieves the toothaches and eases the pain in the gum. Cloves are also recommended for gum boils because they are rich in antioxidants that help eliminate free radicals in the oral cavity. For this remedy, you will need either clove oil or clove powder/cloves to chew on as indicated in the directions below.

Directions:

Use Clove Oil

  1. Brush your teeth as you normally do before using the clove oil.
  2. Clean your fingers and apply the clove oil on the part of the gum that is affected. Be careful not to apply excess pressure as this could cause further damage to the gum.
  3. Let the clove oil remain in place for half an hour to ct on the boil and improve the healing process.
  4. Use this remedy as often as you need to.

Use Clove Powder/ Cloves

  1. Chew on the cloves every couple of hours to treat the boil and fight off the infection.
  2. Alternatively, use the powder by placing it in an empty tea bag then sandwiching it between the affected part of the gum and the cheek tissue.
  3. Let the remedy remain in place for half an hour before rinsing.
  4. Use this remedy as often as you need to until the gum boil is completely healed.

 

2. Oil Pulling:

Time Required: 15 Min
What You Need: Coconut oil and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Oil pulling is an ancient remedy used to improve oral health, and which is beneficial for the treatment of gum boils. This method involves swirling coconut oil in the mouth to get rid of toxins and kill off the bacteria responsible for the abscess formation. Coconut oil contains fatty acids which will help improve oral health while relieving the pain and inflammation caused by the oils. The golden rule when using oil pulling as a home remedy for gum oils is not to swallow the oil mixture as this would only introduce the toxins to the internal organs. Use organic coconut oil for this remedy.

Directions:

  1. Right after your normal brushing routines, place 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil in the mouth and rinse.
  2. To get the most of oil pulling as a natural remedy, swish and swirl it in the mouth continuously for about 10 to 15 minutes. At the onset, this may prove tricky, so you may use oil pulling for about 10 minutes and then gradually increase this time period to about 30 minutes.
  3. Spit the coconut oil and rinse your mouth using warm water.
  4. Repeat the oil pulling thrice daily.

 

3. Hydrogen Peroxide:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1 Tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon of warm water. Cotton wool (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Hydrogen peroxide has potent antibacterial properties that destroy the bacteria responsible for the infection at the abscess draining point. These healing traits help reduce the pain and inflammation on the affected gums. Hydrogen peroxide may cause irritation of the oral cavity membranes, and as such, must be diluted prior to application. You may use a solution of the peroxide to rinse the mouth, or use soaked cotton wool for the same reason.

Directions:

  1. Dilute 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide using an equivalent amount of warm water.
  2. Swish the mixture in your mouth to rinse. Take extra caution not to swallow the solution to prevent irritation of the internal body system.
  3. Spit the mixture after about 10-15 minutes.
  4. Alternatively, soak a cotton ball in the diluted hydrogen peroxide and dab the wet wool on the gum boil.
  5. Do this gently to prevent excess pressure which may add to the pain and inflammation.
  6. Use hydrogen peroxide as often as you need to until the gum boil is completely healed.

 

4. Turmeric Paste:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of turmeric powder, some warm water and a cotton ball. Coconut oil (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Turmeric paste is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory remedies available. Gum boils are known to cause severe toothaches, and this is where turmeric comes in handy to reduce pain and inflammation. You will need some warm water to prepare the paste, but this may be substituted using coconut oil whose healing properties have been mentioned in the ‘oil pulling’ home remedy – antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Directions:

  1. Brush your teeth as you normally would prior to using this remedy.
  2. Prepare the paste by mixing the turmeric powder with some warm water. Add a few drops at a time so that the paste does not become too runny as this makes application more difficult.
  3. You may use coconut oil in place of the turmeric for a more potent remedy to treat gum boils.
  4. Soak the cotton wool in either paste and proceed to apply on the affected part of the gum.
  5. Rinse the paste off after 20 minutes.
  6. Use this remedy at least twice daily.

 

5. Raw Garlic:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Raw garlic, pestle and mortar, cotton wool and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Raw garlic is a natural remedy for the effective treatment of gum boils that can easily cause sleepless nights for the affected. The garlic’s active ingredients are sulfur-based compounds that not only create a harsh environment that kills the bacteria, but also get rid of the infection. This in turn, reduces the pain at the site of the gum boil, and helps the gum recover faster. For many people, the pungent smell of garlic is far outweighed by the herb’s excellent healing benefits. If, however, this is too much too bear, a quick swish of lemon juice works like magic. It is also a refreshing way to rinse the mouth and get rid of mouth odor that typically accompanies gum boils.

Directions:

  1. Clean the cloves well before cutting and transferring to a pestle and mortar.
  2. Grind the chopped garlic so that you get garlic paste.
  3. Apply the paste directly on the gum boil and let it remain there for 20 minutes.
  4. Spit the used garlic paste and proceed to rinse your mouth using freshly squeezed lemon juice to eliminate the garlic smell.

 

6. Warm Salty Water:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of salt and 1 glass of warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Warm salty water is a quick remedy that you can use to treat gum boils. The salt present kills the infection-causing bacteria and enhances the quick healing of the gum. In addition, gargling salty water reduces mouth odor and provides much-needed relief from the pain caused by the boils. Warm water is preferred because it soothes the gum. Prepare this simple remedy by following the steps outlined below.

Directions:

  1. Dissolve some salt in the warm water and stir.
  2. Gargle the warm salty water for 10 minutes. This may cause a stinging sensation at the onset as the salty water comes into contact with the gum boil, but it soon gives way to relief.
  3. Spit the mixture.
  4. Use this remedy as often as you need to to reduce the pain and manage the inflammation at the site of the gum boil.

 

7. Peppermint Oil:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 3 Drops of peppermint oil and cotton wool.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Peppermint oil is an excellent home remedy used for the natural treatment of gum boils. The oil’s characteristic cooling sensation offers pain relief from the boil’s swelling. Additionally, the oil is antiseptic in nature, and this helps kill the bacteria. Use peppermint oil as often as you need to treat gum boils effectively.

Directions:

  1. Place 3 drops of the peppermint oil on the cotton wool.
  2. Place the wet wool on the gum boil and press gently to drain the accumulated pus.
  3. Wipe off the pus and clean the gum using freshly soaked cotton wool.
  4. Repeat this remedy as often as needed.

 

8. Baking Soda+Table Salt:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of table salt, cotton wool and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy.

 

Treat gum boils using a mixture of baking soda and table salt in warm water. Baking soda works as a cleanser and helps drain the pus in the boil to speed up the process of recovery. In addition to its cleansing ability, baking soda also increases the pH levels that helps clear the infection at the gum boil. Salt on the other hand, kills the bacteria present. A combination of the two home remedies yields a potent remedy for the treatment of gum boils. Prepare this remedy as outlined below.

Directions:

  1. Mix the table salt and baking soda before adding water to the mixture.
  2. Stir the resulting solution and then soak the cotton wool in it.
  3. Place this wet wool on the gum boil and leave it in place for half an hour.
  4. Discard the used cotton wool.
  5. Use this remedy thrice daily to get rid of gum boils.

 

9. Tea Bag:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Herbal tea bag (rosemary, chamomile and lavender) and 1 cup of warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

One of the most unusual home remedies for the treatment of gum boils is herbal tea bag. The presence of tannins in the tea helps eliminate the infection within the gum. It also helps cool the inflamed part of the gum. Herbal tea bags are recommended for this natural remedy.

Directions:

  1. Steep the tea bag in a cup of hot water for a couple of minutes.
  2. Let the tea bag cool before placing it on the gum boil.
  3. When the tea bag becomes soaked and soggy, discard it and replace with a fresh tea bag.
  4. If you opt to drain the pus, make sure you wipe it off and then rinse the mouth.
  5. Use this remedy thrice daily.

 

10. Cold Compress:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: A few ice cubes and a sterilized towel.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Sometimes all you need to do to get relief from gum boils is to apply a cold compress. The purpose of the compress is to keep the swelling down as well as to provide pain relief. Remember that you must not apply the ice cubes directly as this could easily damage the skin.

Directions:

  1. Place the ice cubes on the clean towel to create a compress.
  2. Put the compress on the outside part of the mouth that corresponds with the specific location of the gum boils.
  3. Use as often as you need to.

 

Other home remedies used for the natural treatment of gum boils include raw onions that help dry the swelling, pawpaw that speeds up the healing process as well as apple cider vinegar which keeps the swelling down. It is also important to maintain proper orla hygiene to prevent gum boils from recurring. If the boils do not subside even after using these remedies, check with your dentist to provide medical intervention.