Garlic Mouthwash for Swollen Gums
1. Chewing garlic cloves first kills bacteria. I first instructed my wife to place a small garlic clove on the affected tooth area after brushing her teeth in the morning and evening, gently biting it without chewing it into pieces, then spitting it out when rinsing the next day. Since garlic has strong antibacterial properties, it can kill many fungi and viruses, as well as bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics.
2. Massage the maxillary reflex zone on the left foot—the band-like area just before the transverse crease at the base of the big toe on the top of the foot. Since the pain point of dental issues connects to the head, and the foot's reflex zones for the head are cross-referenced, when the dental issue is on the upper right jaw, stimulation should occur on the left foot to activate the right alveolar nerve and promote local blood circulation. Perform twice daily, pressing 60 times each session.
3. Identify the reflex zone for the lymph glands located above and below the hollows in front of the inner and outer ankle bones on both feet. Press firmly 60 times per session, twice daily.
4. Locate the chest lymph gland reflex zone in the depression between the first and second metatarsal bones on both feet. Press 60 times per session, twice daily.
5. Apply pressure to the "Hegu" acupoint on the left hand. The "Hegu" point lies at the midpoint on the radial side of the first and second metacarpal bones (thumb and index finger) on the back of the hand. Perform twice daily, pressing 60 times per session. As noted by Ming Dynasty physician Xu Feng in his medical work "Four Main Acupoint Song": "The Hegu point collects all head and face ailments." This means that disorders affecting the head and face can be treated through stimulation of the "Hegu" point on the back of the hand.
This method combining foot massage with garlic mouthwash effectively harnesses the body’s natural healing potential to enhance blood supply and reduce inflammation at the affected site, offering advantages of convenience, low cost, and safety.