Green tea bags used as a poltice have helped reduce my swollen, throbbing, and inflamed gums and teeth. Over a period of time the gum pockets have also reduced or been eliminated (measured and verfied by my dentist).
I roll a green tea bag and place it between my gum and cheek. One tea bag per problem quadrent. I then sip some water to wet the tea. I leave them in util I get relief, sometimes overnight. If I leave them in too long, little blisters appear on the inside of my cheeks. Caution: May stain pillow case.