*Halitosis (bad breath), in which the breath begins to take on a foul odor, may be present in more severe forms of gingivitis.
== Home remedies ==
* [[Green Tea]] contains complex compounds called “catechins” that can fight inflammation and actually control bacterial infections
* The active constiuents of [[chamomile]] have anti-inflammatory properties.
* (Diluted) [[Tea Tree]] oil is primarily used in products that heal gum infections and canker sores.
* Chewing [[Lactobacillus Reuteri]] containing gum decreases plaque and gingivitis.
* [[Neem]] : One study suggests a neem mouthwash could even outperform a traditional dental product when it comes to reducing plaque! Other studies suggest it has almost miraculous properties when it comes to approaching gingivitis. If you want to check it out, one easy way is to look for fluoride-free toothpaste with neem leaf extract.
* [[Common Knotgrass]] : A clinical study showed that the use of a mouthwash containing extracts of the herb for two weeks had an anti-inflammatory effect on gum inflammation.
*[[Sesame Seeds]] : Sesame seed oil has been used for oral health for thousands of years in the traditional Indian medical tradition known as Ayurveda in a process known as “oil pulling.” It involves swishing sesame seed oil in the mouth for prolonged durations and has been said to prevent teeth decay, halitosis, bleeding gums, dry throat, and for strengthening the teeth, gums and jaw. Clinical research now confirms that it compares favorably to chemical mouthwash (chlorhexidine) in improving plaque-induced gingivitis,and that it is capable of reducing Streptococcus mutans growth associated with oral plaque formation. (see also : [[Oil pulling]])
*[[Sea Cucumber]] : Use of a toothpaste containing sea cucumber extract may be beneficial to people with gum disease, according to a preliminary study published in the Journal of Oral Science in 2003. For the study, 28 adults with chronic gingivitis or early stages of periodontitis brushed their teeth with either a sea cucumber-enriched toothpaste or placebo toothpaste twice daily for three months. At the study's end, participants who used the sea cucumber toothpaste showed significantly greater improvements in several markers of gum health (such as plaque buildup and bleeding) compared to those assigned to the placebo.
* [[Myrrh]] : Used to combat bad breath, myrrh can be found in some fluoride-free toothpastes on the market. You might wonder exactly how it works. Well, one of the compounds in myrrh is actually toxic to all the things that can cause bad breath. And, like many of the supplements listed here, it could also help with gum health. Research shows it’s effective in fighting periodontal disease. A high-quality product, like Fresh Mouth, not only contains myrrh, but also a blend of other ingredients to support a healthy mouth.
* [[Spilanthes]] is used to treat toothache and throat and gum infections.
* [[Shiitake]]s contain lentinan, a natural sugar that may help to prevent gingivitis. Gingivitis is gum inflammation, characterized by redness, swelling and possibly even bleeding, often caused by a build-up of bacterial biofilm. Recent studies show that antibacterial compounds like lentinan specifically target these biofilm-making microbes. In fact, they’re so precise that they kill cavity-causing bacteria while leaving the other, non-harmful bacteria completely unaffected.
* [[Onion]]s, especially when eaten raw, boast powerful bacteria-busting prowess thanks to their antimicrobial sulfur-containing compounds
== Warnings ==