How To Use Essential Oils For Gums and Gingivitis

Using essential oils for gums to help keep your mouth healthy is an alternative to buying commercial mouth care products. Even many toothpastes and mouthwashes on the market contain essential oils such as myrrh, eucalyptus, peppermint, and thyme, which studies have shown help fight bacteria.

One study concluded that evidence indicates using essential oils, in addition to standard oral care, helps reduce plaque and gingivitis compared to placebo or control.

Mouth Rinse

Here's an all-purpose mouth rinse:

• 20 drops tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
• 8 drops myrrh essential oil
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) echinacea tincture

Mix the ingredients in a dark bottle.

To use, shake the bottle well and put 1/4 teaspoon of the blend in 1/8 cup water. Swish in your mouth for at least one minute. Do not swallow.

Source: Aromatherapy for Dummies

Essential Oil Toothpaste and Mouthwash

See Essential Oil Toothpaste and Essential Oil Mouthwash. In particular, a toothpaste or mouthwash containing clove or tea tree essential oil may help prevent gingivitis.

Essential Oils for Bleeding Gums

For bleeding gums, the Essential Oils Desk Reference recommends clove, geranium, cinnamon, peppermint, mountain savory, or myrrh essential oil. Dilute one drop of essential oils in a few drops of carrier oil. Apply this blend to gums 2 to 3 times a day.

Mouth Rinse for Bleeding Gums

• 1 cup sage herbal tea
• 1 tablespoon distilled witch hazel
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• 2 to 3 drops tincture of myrrh
• 1 drop lemon essential oil
• 1 drop eucalyptus essential oil

1. Add the witch hazel to the cup of sage tea.
2. Combine the honey, myrrh tincture, and essential oils. Stir the blend into the cup of tea. Bottle and label

To use: After brushing your teeth, swish a small amount of the rinse in your mouth. Spit out. Repeat several times a day.

Source: Aromatherapy, A Holistic Guide to Natural Healing With Essential Oils

Essential Oils for Gums With Gingivitis

Gingivitis Mouth Rinse

• 3 drops thyme essential oil
  
• 3 drops mandarin essential oil
• 3 drops myrrh essential oil
• 1 drop lemon essential oil
• 3 tablespoons vodka (or substitute echinacea tincture)
• 6 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons warm water

After cleaning your teeth, rinse your mouth with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the blend. Do not swallow.

Source: Massage & Aromatherapy: Simple Techniques at Home

Gingivitis Mouthwash

• 1/4 cup sherry
• 8 teaspoons brandy
• 1 teaspoon glycerin
• 6 drops thyme linalol essential oil
• 6 drops peppermint essential oil
• 4 drops myrrh essential oil
• 2 drops rose essential oil and/or 2 teaspoons rose hydrosol

1. In a 4-ounce glass jar combine all ingredients. Mix thoroughly.
2. Using a coffee filter to strain mixture into a dark glass bottle with a stopper.

To use: Add 1 teaspoon mouthwash to 1/2 cup warm water and mix well. Rinse mouth several times and spit out the mixture (do not swallow). Repeat several times a day as needed.

Source: The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness

Dental Abscess

Blend the following oils:

• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops tea tree essential oil
• 1 teaspoon olive or other edible oil

Apply a little to the abscess two or three times a day.

Source: The Complete Book of Aromatherapy and Essential Oils

Essential Oils for Oil Pulling

If you use oil pulling as part of your dental care routine, you can add essential oils to the oil. Here are two options:

• 3 drops myrrh essential oil
• 1 drop peppermint essential oil
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil
  

or

• 1 drop lavender essential oil
• 1 drop tea tree essential oil
• 1 drop peppermint essential oil
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil

Source: Essential Oils For Healing

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