Can gingivitis be treated by rinsing with salt water?

Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
Updated on May 26, 2025
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When suffering from gingivitis, it is appropriate to use some light saltwater for rinsing, but it is recommended that patients purchase more professional mouthwash for rinsing. This is because some specialized mouthwashes contain medicinal ingredients that can effectively control the bacteria in the mouth and have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. They can remove some oral bacteria and food residues, so it is advised that patients use mouthwash. Additionally, when patients experience gingivitis, while mouthwash is one aspect, the main focus should still be on anti-inflammatory treatment. Appropriate oral intake of anti-inflammatory drugs can have an effective treatment impact, such as commonly used drugs against anaerobic bacteria combined with some antibiotics, which can provide effective treatment.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Why does gingivitis bleed at night?

Patients with gingivitis often experience gum bleeding. However, this bleeding mainly occurs during morning tooth brushing, but it can also occur at night, though the timing is unpredictable. Patients with gingivitis should be cautious about their diet and avoid hard or overly spicy foods. Since gingivitis is a chronic inflammation, it can cause trauma during tooth brushing or chewing, leading to bleeding of the gum tissues. Therefore, it is advised that patients brush gently if they have gingivitis, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and maintaining a mild diet. Additionally, patients should focus on oral hygiene and develop proper oral health habits, including brushing their teeth both morning and night.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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How long does it take for gingivitis to heal after a dental cleaning?

When a patient has gingivitis, generally, dental cleaning can reduce some of the inflammatory irritation. However, there is no specific time frame for how long it will take to recover from gingivitis solely through dental cleaning. If a patient has gingivitis, it is still advisable to use some medications, such as oral anti-inflammatory drugs. For example, antibacterial drugs against anaerobic bacteria like metronidazole, tinidazole, or ornidazole, can be combined with some antibiotics, commonly amoxicillin or cephalosporins, or erythromycin. Additionally, patients must pay attention to oral hygiene, rinse their mouths promptly after meals, brush their teeth morning and night, and cultivate correct dietary habits. It is important to avoid spicy and overly hard foods in the diet. Furthermore, patients should ensure to eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits and schedule regular teeth cleanings to reduce the irritation caused by gingivitis.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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What should I do if I have gingivitis?

Gingivitis is characterized by symptoms such as bleeding while eating or brushing teeth. Sometimes, bloodstains may be found on the pillow upon waking up, which are also signs of gingivitis. Gingivitis can sometimes cause pain while eating, necessitating timely and thorough treatment, which includes both initial and maintenance phases. The initial treatment involves removing irritants around the teeth, including tartar, dental plaque, or soft deposits around the gums, followed by medicated rinsing. After controlling gingivitis, it is necessary to enter a regular maintenance phase with check-ups every six months, and any existing tartar should be promptly removed.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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Can gingivitis heal on its own?

Generally, when suffering from gingivitis, if the patient does not take some corresponding measures, recovery is generally difficult, requires a longer time, and the chances of full recovery are relatively small. Therefore, when suffering from gingivitis, it is essential for patients to take appropriate measures to aid the recovery of gingivitis. Special attention should be paid to oral hygiene, making sure to rinse the mouth in time after meals, brush teeth morning and evening, and possibly get regular dental cleanings, which can effectively remove dental plaque and calculus, alleviating gum irritation. Additionally, patients should pay attention to their daily diet and lifestyle; avoid overeating and abstaining from spicy, irritating foods, as well as frequent smoking, drinking alcohol, and staying up late. Moreover, when suffering from gingivitis, patients can appropriately take some anti-inflammatory medications, which can effectively aid in the recovery of gingivitis.

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Internal Medicine
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Is amoxicillin effective for gingivitis?

Gingivitis is primarily caused by the presence of dental plaque on the gums, which is erosive due to the large amount of bacteria. Taking oral amoxicillin, an antimicrobial drug, does not show a very obvious effect. One reason is that the gum tissue is relatively tough, and the concentration of the drug in the gum tissue when administered systemically is not sufficient to provide the expected therapeutic effect. Another reason is that oral bacteria, mostly anaerobic bacteria, cause this condition, and general anti-inflammatory drugs do not work well. The best method to treat gingivitis is still dental cleaning, which can directly remove the bacteria on the gums, clearly affecting the treatment. Subgingival scaling is also effective, which can lead to better outcomes.