| How to Reduce Gum Pockets Naturally Posted: 17 Jan 2019 04:00 PM PST Gum pockets are a dental problem that is serious but not the end of the world. If you have gum pockets, it simply means that you have gum disease, which is called periodontitis, that needs to be treated. In most cases, it can be treated in a variety of natural ways, including by practicing good oral hygiene, using home remedies, and making lifestyle changes. Using these techniques combined with professional dental care will reduce your gum pockets and improve your oral health in no time.[1] EditPracticing Good Oral Hygiene - Brush your teeth twice a day. One of the best ways to treat gum pockets is to brush on a regular basis. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush your teeth gently, as hard bristles and rough brushing can cause the gums to recede further. However, brushing both morning and night will help remove all of the food and bacteria that gets lodged in the pockets.[2]
- If you are really focused on reducing your gum pockets, try brushing after every meal. This will prevent the area that needs to heal from being exposed to more bacteria and food.
- Opt for using an electric toothbrush. Make sure your electric toothbrush is charged. Once it has power, put a small amount of toothpaste on it, put it in your mouth, and then turn it on. Clean your teeth in quadrants, focusing on one quarter of your mouth at a time. When done, turn off the toothbrush, spit out your toothpaste, rinse out your mouth, and rinse of the brush head.[3]
- An electric toothbrush will be able to clean down deeper into the pockets than a traditional toothbrush. Since it's better at cleaning below the gum line, it's a good idea to use one if you are trying to help your gums heal.
- Floss at least once a day. Floss can get in between the teeth and remove food that a toothbrush just can't get. When flossing, use about of floss, hold it between your thumb and forefinger in each hand, and insert it between your teeth using a rubbing motion. Once between your teeth, wrap it in a "c" shape against each of the teeth it is between and rub the area gently.[4]
- It's important not to snap the floss into the space between teeth, as this can injure the gums. Using a gradual rubbing motion instead will prevent the chance of injuring the gums further.
- Use a water flosser to clean between your teeth and gums. Water flossers are machines that clean by shooting water between the gums and the teeth. To use one, you fill the water reservoir with water, position the head so it's pointed at your teeth, and turn on the machine. Once the water flosser is going, follow the gum line and clean between all of your teeth.
- They are available at most big box stores, as well as from online retailers.
- While dental floss can get down a few millimeters into your gum pockets, water flosser machines can get down much further. This helps to clean out all the germs and debris in the pockets that could make them bigger.
EditUsing Home Remedies - Do a salt-water rinse 2-3 times a day. Mix 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of salt into a glass of lukewarm water. Take some into your mouth and swish it around. Do this for 30 seconds and then spit it out.[5]
- Use this rinse 2 to 3 times a day to clean out your gum pockets and to help them heal.
- Use an essential oil mouthwash. There are a variety of essential oils that will help with the health of your teeth and gums. Add 2-3 drops of tea tree or lemongrass essential oil to a cup of warm water. Swish the rinse in your mouth for 30 seconds and then spit it out in your sink.[6]
- Do this once or twice daily to help your gums.
- Essential oils can be purchased at natural food stores and from online retailers. Look for products that are labeled "food grade," as you will be putting it in your mouth.
- Consider using oil pulling. Oil pulling is a process in which you swish a small amount of oil, typically coconut oil, around your mouth to clean it. Put 1 to 2 teaspoons in your mouth and move it around your teeth for about 20 minutes. After you are done swishing, spit it out and brush your teeth. Repeat this process every time you intend to brush your teeth.[7]
- This technique pulls toxins and bacteria out of the pockets in your gums, allowing them to heal more effectively.
- While this technique is considered new and under researched in some parts of the world, it has been used for a long time in cultures that rely on ayurvedic medicine.
- Take supplements that will improve your gum health. There are certain nutrients that can increase your body's ability to heal your gums. These include, but are not limited to, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and calcium. Talk to your doctor about whether taking these supplements is right for you and what amount you should take.[8]
- Supplements are typically available at natural health food stores and from online retailers.
EditMaking Lifestyle Changes - Quit smoking. Smoking can have a horrible effect on the health of your teeth and gums. In order to reduce your gum pockets, it's important to stop smoking. Even reducing the amount you smoke can have a positive impact, so do what you can.[9]
- If you have a hard time stopping on your own, talk to your doctor about ways they can help you with your goal of quitting smoking. They may be able to suggest programs you can join and medications that can help you quit.
- Reduce the number of sugary foods you eat and drink. Sugary foods, such as soda and candy, can hurt your gums and increase the size of your gum pockets. Cut them out of your diet if possible in order to let your gums heal without having to contend with sugar as well.[10]
- If you can't cut sugar out completely, be sure to brush your teeth after eating or drinking it. However, if you are eating something that is sweet and acidic, such as soda pop, you should actually wait for a few minutes after eating it to brush. If you brush while the acid is still on your teeth, your enamel could be damaged.[11]
- Eat a healthy diet. Eating a variety of healthy foods can improve your oral health, which can help your body reduce your gum pockets. Have a well balanced diet that will give your teeth and gums the nutrients they need to be healthy. This kind of diet typically includes a lot of leafy green vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, and lean fats, such as fish.[12]
- Eat a lot of anti-inflammatory foods, such as fish. Since gum pockets are caused by inflammation, these foods can help reduce it.
- Also eat a lot of foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and calcium. This includes dairy products, lean proteins, and fermented foods, like kimchi, sauerkraut, and miso.[13]
EditGetting Professional Dental Treatment - Get a professional dental cleaning every 3 months. If you have gum pockets, your dentist will likely suggest that you come in for a cleaning more often than you would if you didn't have them. Make an appointment with your dentist and have your teeth cleaned so that your gums have an easier time healing.[14]
- Professional dental cleanings are more effective than at home cleaning because they focus on cleaning below the gum line.
- Getting a cleaning every 6 months will also help your dentist keep an eye on your gum pockets and assess whether additional treatment is needed.
- Have scaling and root planing done. If your gum pockets are more than 4mm deep, your dentist may suggest a more in depth cleaning than is typically done. Scaling and root planing cleans the surface of the tooth under the gum line but also smooths out the root surface so that your gums can reattach and the pocket can shrink.[15]
- Scaling and root planing can be slightly painful, so your dentist may numb your gums with a topical anesthetic or a local anesthetic, depending on how much work needs to be done.
- Use a dental rinse or medication prescribed by your dentist. In some cases, following your rooting and planing procedure, you will be told to rinse daily with a prescription mouthwash or to take antibiotic medication. Both of these treatments will help eliminate the infection in your gums that has caused the pockets to grow.[16]
- Like all prescription medications, take the antibiotics or use the mouthwash for as long and as often as directed by your dentist. This will help ensure that the infection is totally eradicated.
- Have surgery if your gum pockets are threatening the integrity of your teeth. If your gum pockets are larger than 7mm, then it is likely that they are exposing the root of the tooth to bacteria. This can cause the tooth to fail over time, so your dentist may suggest surgery to reduce the size of the pockets.[17]
- During this type of surgery, an oral surgeon with pull back the gums to access the root area of the tooth. They will then clean the area, planing the surface and removing any bacteria present. Then they will put the gums back, using sutures to hold them in place.[18]
- This is typically only suggested as a last resort to try and save your teeth, so take the suggestion seriously and have the surgery done if you can.
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Prune a Quince Tree Posted: 17 Jan 2019 08:00 AM PST While many people think of the quince fruit as old-fashioned, interest in this low-maintenance tree has been growing. The hardy quince grows well in nearly any temperate zone, including North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. While a quince tree requires a bit more attention in its first few years to train it into the right shape, once established, the tree requires relatively little attention and can live for 50 years or longer.[1] EditTraining a Young Tree - Support young trees with stakes for 2 or 3 years. Quince fruits need a lot of sun to ripen (at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day), so choose a sunny spot to plant your quince tree. Use stakes to help the trunk of your young tree grow straight and tall, and encourage a more balanced root system.[2]
- If you live in a relatively cooler climate, you may want to plant the tree in a more sheltered spot, such as next to a wall, to protect it from strong winds and frost. Just make sure it will still get full sun.
- Remove the fruits in the first and second year. The size and weight of ripe quinces can cause young branches to break. It may seem wasteful, but picking the fruit on a young quince tree before it ripens gives the branches time to grow strong enough to support a full crop. Ultimately, you'll have a more productive tree.[3]
- After its second year, your quince tree should be strong enough to bear fruit. Allow the fruit to ripen on the tree as long as possible. Fully ripe quinces typically are harvested just before the first frost.
- Prune young trees in winter and summer. For the first 3 years, prune in the summer right after the tree has finished fruiting, and then again in winter before the buds start to swell. Always prune on a relatively dry day to reduce the chance of spreading disease or infection.[4]
- After the first year, avoid pruning more than a third of the tree's branches unless the tree is diseased or significantly damaged. You may want to prune a bit more aggressively in the tree's first year to establish the shape in which you want the tree to grow, but try not to take more than 50 percent of the new growth.
- In the summer, prune away any dead or damaged leaves. You may also want to remove foliage that shields the fruits from the sun.
- Each winter, prune back approximately one-third of the new growth from the previous season.[5]
- Establish your desired shape in your tree's first year. Quince trees are most commonly shaped in a vase or open-centered goblet style. This shape keeps the center of the tree open, exposing more of the tree to sunlight and allowing more fruits to ripen. Use clean, sharp lopping shears and pruning shears to train the tree into the right shape.[6]
- Choose 3 strong branches that will create your vase shape. These branches should be relatively evenly spaced out. Cut out any branches that cross or compete with your shape.[7]
- As you're pruning, step back often and look at the big picture. In winter, it can help to look at pictures of the tree when it was in full bloom so you know where the growth will likely occur.[8]
- Remove dead, diseased, and damaged limbs first. Use pruning shears or lopping shears to cut any damaged or problem branches all the way back to their point of origin, removing them completely. Then work on any branches that are growing vertically, or crossing over other branches.[9]
- Once you've removed all the problem branches, you may find additional pruning isn't necessary, apart from cuts you'll need to make just to train and shape the tree in the first couple of years.
- Use the placement of the buds to help train the tree. The weight of the fruit will naturally bend the branch in the direction of the bud. If you want a branch to bend down more, choose a bud on the underside of the branch.[10]
- Make your cuts at a 45-degree angle sloped away from the bud. The bottom of your angle should be just on the other side of the branch from the bud. If you cut too close to the bud, the bud will wither.
- Avoid cutting further up the branch, unless you want to remove the branch completely. You could cause tears on the branch you leave behind. Use a sharp pocket knife to fix any tearing.
- Cut the main trunk after the second year. Cutting the main trunk eliminates center growth and encourages the tree further into the vase shape you've created. Cut the trunk of your tree at a 45-degree angle at the height of the highest branch forming your vase. Then prune any other branches cutting into the center space down to their origin.[11]
- You should be able to use a pruning saw to trim off the top of the trunk. A chainsaw can also be used, but be extremely cautious.[12]
EditPruning an Established Tree - Prune established trees once in the winter. After your tree is 3 or 4 years old, it only needs to be pruned once a year. Generally, this will be December if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, or July or August in the Southern Hemisphere.[13]
- With older trees, you may be able to get away with pruning every other year. You still want to keep an eye out for dead and unproductive branches on years you don't do a full prune.
- Thin crowded and older branches. Quince fruit needs lots of sunlight, but the tree tends to grow in a crowded and haphazard way. It's especially important to cut vertical branches in the center of the tree that threaten to destroy your established shape.[14]
- Older branches that aren't budding or show little growth can be trimmed back completely.
- Keep the center of the tree relatively open. Quince trees have a bushy growth pattern that can get messy quickly and destroy the shape and appearance of the tree. After your tree is well-established, the main focus of your pruning should be on clearing the center of the tree and keeping it tidy.[15]
- Remove vertical branches in the center completely to keep the center of the tree from becoming tangled and overgrown.
- Cut down unwanted shoots completely. You can trim ends of branches simply to improve the tree's shape. However, if a branch is crossing another or growing up from the center of the tree, remove it.[16]
- Generally, most vertical branches can be removed. If they're not crossing another branch yet, they will eventually. Cutting them all the way down keeps them from growing back in a direction you don't want.
- Leave branches that cannot be cut with pruning shears. Unless a branch is dead or diseased, removing a large branch may overly stress your tree and destroy its productivity. If branches with a diameter of more than are cut, the tree will start growing wood instead of budding and bearing fruit.[17]
- Ideally, cut branches that are growing in the wrong direction early, before they get too large for you to cut.
- Remove tree suckers and watersprouts throughout the year. Tree suckers and waterspouts are fast new growths that appear low on the trunk or sprout from the roots of your tree. Because they cannot bear fruit, they will only sap energy from your tree and reduce its productivity.[18]
- Removing them as soon as possible decreases the chances that they will regrow. Aside from this, allowing them to grow means they will continue to take nutrients from your tree.
- Generally, maintain a trunk clearance of on an established quince tree.[19]
- Sanitize your pruning tools with isopropyl alcohol or diluted bleach before and after you make your cuts so you don't spread any disease.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands and to get a better grip on the plants.
- Rinse fruit completely before you eat them if you've used insecticides or fungicides.
- Suckers that shoot up from the roots can be used to propagate new trees.[20]
EditThings You'll Need - Wooden stakes (for young trees)
- Pruning shears
- Lopping shears
- Pruning saw
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Grill Shrimp Posted: 17 Jan 2019 12:00 AM PST Shrimp are delicious when properly cooked on the grill. Before you cook shrimp, you should thoroughly clean them. Once they are clean, you can season them with spices or prepare a marinade to inject extra flavor. Finally, you can cook the shrimp on skewers or use tin foil to make the shrimp on your grill. EditIngredients EditShrimp Dry Rub - paprika
- garlic powder
- garlic salt
- black pepper
EditLemon Garlic Marinade - olive oil
- lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- parsley, chopped
- paprika
- salt
- hot sauce (optional)
EditCleaning and Seasoning the Shrimp - Buy large frozen or fresh shrimp. Jumbo and larger variations of shrimp are the best for grilling because they won't fall through the grates of the grill and are easier to handle than smaller shrimp. Smaller shrimp are also more likely to overcook on the grill, which could lead to a rubbery or tough texture.[1]
- Buy U/10 or U/20 shrimp. This means that there is either 10 or 20 shrimp per pound.
- Cook fresh shrimp the same day that you purchase them or freeze them If you plan on making them later.
- When you bring fresh shrimp home, keep them on a bed of ice so that they don't go bad.
- Thaw the shrimp if they are frozen. You can leave the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight, or rinse the shrimp under cold water for an hour. Once the shrimp are thawed, rinse them one last time under cold water and drain them in a colander. Then, use paper towels to pat them dry.[2]
- When the shrimp are thawed, they should appear slightly translucent.[3]
- Peel the shrimp if you have to devein them. You'll know you have to devein the shrimp if there is a black vein running down the back of the shrimp. Start at the top of the shrimp and cut through shrimp's shell with a pair of scissors. You can cut all the way down the tail, or stop before the tail to keep it on. Peel away the excess shell and throw it away.[4]
- If you keep the tail on, it can serve as your handle for dipping and eating the grilled seafood.
- Don't cut through the meat of the shrimp.
- Leaving the shell on may make your shrimp more flavorful.
- Devein the shrimp if necessary. Use a small, sharp knife to cut down the back of each peeled shrimp. Pull out the back vein and rinse the shrimp under cold water.[5]
- You can purchase deveined shrimp at the grocery store.
- Coat the shrimp with olive oil and sprinkle salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Pour the olive oil and lemon juice over the shrimp, then sprinkle the spices on top of them. Toss the shrimp so that they are evenly covered in spices. This will enhance the flavor and add citrus notes to the shrimp.[6]
- Experiment with other spices, like garlic powder, cumin, and ginger to impart different flavors to the shrimp.
- Marinate your shrimp for extra flavor. Create a marinade by combining oil and barbeque or hot sauce in a bowl. Add other flavors to the marinade like garlic, salt, pepper, and/or cumin. Coat the shrimp thoroughly in the marinade and leave the shrimp in the bowl for 30 minutes to an hour.[7]
- You can also add ingredients like parsley, sugar, and lemon juice to the marinade.
- You can also purchase store-bought marinades as an alternative to making your own.
EditGrilling Shrimp Skewers - Skewer the shrimp. Purchase wooden or metal skewers from the grocery store or online. Drive the skewer through the tail and into the midsection of the shrimp to secure it to the skewer. The shrimp should be in a U shape on the skewer. Repeat this process until all of your shrimp are on skewers.[8]
- If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for a few hours before you start grilling so that they don't catch on fire as you grill.
- You can also use a grilling basket instead of skewers if you have one.
- Preheat the grill to . Turn the knobs on the grill to preheat it if you're using a gas grill. If you are using a charcoal grill, load the charcoal into the bottom of the grill and stack the charcoal in a pyramid shape. Then, pour lighter fluid over the charcoal and ignite it with a grill lighter. Let the fire on the coals go out and allow them to heat up for 10 minutes before you start grilling the shrimp.[9]
- Some charcoal grills have an electric starter. If this is the case, hit the button or switch to ignite the coals after you've loaded it. It will take anywhere from 8-10 minutes for the coals to heat up.
- Preheating your grill will give the shrimp a more even cook.
- Place the shrimp on the grill for 3 minutes. You should hear the shrimp sizzle as it makes contact with the grill. As the shrimp cooks, the outside of the shrimp should turn a nice pink color when it is cooked while the meat inside should turn white and opaque.[10]
- Flip the shrimp over and cook for another 3 minutes. Flip the shrimp over on the grill with a pair of tongs to evenly cook the other side. Do not overcook the shrimp or else it might become tough and chewy.[11]
- The shrimp should curl up once they are cooked.
- Remove the shrimp from the grill and serve them. Place the shrimp on a plate and let them cool for 2-3 minutes before serving them. Grilled shrimp taste great with a vegetable side like corn or on their own!
- You can serve the shrimp on the skewers or remove them from the skewers and serve them separately.
- You can keep the leftover shrimp sealed in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.[12]
EditUsing Foil to Grill Shrimp - Set your grill to . If you're using a gas grill, you can set the temperature by turning the knobs on the front of the grill. If you're using a charcoal grill, pile the charcoal in a pyramid shape on the bottom of the grill. Use lighter fluid and a lighter to ignite the coals. Let the fire die, then wait 10 minutes so that all of the coals are at the right temperature.[13]
- If you have an automatic starter, press the start button after you've loaded the grill with charcoal.
- Place the shrimp in a piece of foil. Unroll a sheet of foil that's large enough to accommodate all of the shrimp that you want to grill. Lay the foil out on a flat surface and dump the shrimp into the middle of the tin foil.[14]
- You can also add other ingredients like corn, sausage, and garlic to the packet.[15]
- If you are grilling a lot of shrimp, you may want to create multiple packets.
- Fold up the sides of the foil to create a packet. Fold up the sides of the tin foil so that they are completely covered. Roll the top and bottom edge of the tin foil to keep them in a contained packet. Make sure that the packets are completely sealed before putting them on the grill.[16]
- Place the foil packet on the grill for 10-15 minutes. If you added additional ingredients to the packet, cook the shrimp on the longer side. As the shrimp cooks, it will absorb the spices and marinade in the packet.[17]
- Unwrap the foil and serve immediately. Use a pair of tongs to remove the tin foil packet from the grill. Open the top of the packet and serve the shrimp immediately.[18]
- To add extra flavor season the shrimp with parsley, lemon juice, or butter after it's cooked.
EditThings You'll Need EditGrilling Shrimp Skewers - Grill
- Skewers
- Tongs
- Knife
- Charcoal (if using a charcoal grill)
- Grill basket (optional)
EditUsing Foil to Grill Shrimp - Grill
- Tinfoil
- Charcoal (if using a charcoal grill)
- Tongs
- Shrimp that smell of ammonia may not be fresh or safe to eat.
- Make sure to cook the shrimp all the way through or you may get food poisoning.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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