Herbal Remedies for Receding Gums
You should obtain a dentist's diagnosis for the cause of receding gums. However, invasive and expensive dental work is not always necessary in order to remedy them. Several herbal remedies for receding gums not only can halt gum disease in its tracks, but also can strengthen and protect gums with continued use.
Other People Are Reading
-
Dangers of Receding Gums
-
Initially, receding gums might not seem like a big problem. However, when your gums begin to pull away from your teeth, it is often the sign of an extensive bacterial infection that has been going on for some time. Bleeding, inflamed or tender gums and chronic bad breath are early signs of gum disease that often go unnoticed. However, most people do not address the problem until their gums begin to recede. By this time, the bacterial infection has begun to erode bone and gum tissue. And if left untreated, tooth loss is almost certain to occur. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States.
The Importance of a Diagnosis
-
Herbal remedies offer effective, inexpensive home treatment for receding gums. However, before you begin treatment for your receding gums, it is important to visit your dentist to identify the cause. Gum disease has many causes including excess plaque, poor diet, smoking, brushing too hard, genetics, illness or gingivitis. And if the cause of your gum disease is not properly identified, the problem is likely to recur. Furthermore, those with advanced gum disease, or pyorrhea, might have bone and gum loss that is so extensive that it can be remedied only by surgery.
-
Herbal Remedies for Receding Gums
-
Many herbal remedies might help receding gums. However, a combination of tea tree oil and mineral rinses has proved to be safe, effective and easily accessible.
Tea tree oil works wonders as an herbal remedy for receding gums. It halts the bacterial infection at the root of the disease in its tracks, an essential first step on the road to healthy gums. And furthermore, application of tea tree oil will also eliminate tooth pain and sensitivity to heat and cold.
Apply the tea tree oil after your regular brushing. Rinse your toothbrush, apply a few drops of tea tree oil and brush normally. Next, take your finger or a cotton swab and rub the oil into your gums. To reach deep pockets of infection that your toothbrush may not reach, apply the tea tree oil to your dental floss.
Continue to apply the tea tree oil after every brushing until the infection is gone and your gums return to normal.
Another effective herbal remedy for receding gums is an herbal mouthwash before bed. While tea tree oil stops the infection, herbal mouthwashes strengthen and firm the gums, which will help them readhere to your teeth and return to their normal state.
Apply five to 10 drops of myrrh or propolis tincture to a glass of water. Gargle with the mixture for at least 30 seconds three times daily until your gums return to their normal state.
If you cannot find either tincture online or at your local health food store, a spoonful of sea salt in a glass of water also works wonders to improve gum strength.
Nutritional Supplements
-
Often, a nutritionally poor diet is at the root cause of receding gums. In this case, daily supplements are essential for regaining and maintaining gum health. However, even if your dentist has identified another root cause of your gum disease, nutritional supplements can still play an important role in preventing further infection and repairing. The vitamins and minerals that contribute the most to oral health are calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and vitamin C and B complex. These vitamins and minerals can be found together in vitamin supplements and should be taken daily.
Maintenance
-
If your gum disease occurred as the result of risky behavior (such as smoking or poor diet) or physical illness, it is important to apply these herbal remedies at least twice a month. Occasionally, the early stages of gum disease show no symptoms at all, so it is important to maintain your gum health whether you see signs of a problem or not.
Additionally, a daily cup of green tea will help to keep the amount of bacteria in your mouth to a minimum.
-
