Herbs That Fight Gum Disease
Gum disease or gingivitis is a periodontal problem that has been linked to more serious health issues such as heart disease, digestive disorders and even pancreatic cancer. It is important that you take care of your gums to improve your overall health. Not everybody, however, can afford the cost of dental health care. Fortunately, there are several kinds of affordable herbs that can strengthen your oral health and fight off gum disease.
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Gum Disease Symptoms
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Gum disease symptoms include swelling, bleeding, receding and tenderness. The other two things that usually accompany those symptoms are bad breath and loose teeth. Bad breath or loose teeth alone, however, does not necessarily signify gum disease. These things can happen because of other minor reasons. Bad breath can be a result of dry mouth, certain foods or sinus problems. Loose or shifting teeth can also happen because of other causes rather than gum disease such as habitual tooth grinding, fractured roots, bone loss, or malocclusion, which occurs when teeth meet the wrong way while chewing.
First Thing To Do
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The main cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque that forms on your teeth over time, then becomes hardened and firmly attaches to the tooth root structure. The first procedure you should take before using herbs to treat gum disease, therefore, is to visit your dentist and have those walls of plaque removed. Professional dental equipment is the only thing that can remove them. Herbs may help improve your gum health, but you will not be able to get rid of gum disease completely unless you eliminate the plaque first.
There are several kinds of herbs that can fight gum disease and help you maintain healthy gums. Some of the most effective herbs are calendula, tea tree oil and aloe vera gel.
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Calendula
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With its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, calendula is beneficial for bleeding, receding and tender gums. It can help lessen the soreness, prevent bacteria from doing further harm to your gums and speed up the healing process. There are many ways you can use calendula to battle gum disease. The easiest way is to use an herbal toothpaste or mouthwash that has calendula as a main ingredient. If your gums feel tender, try drinking a few cups of calendula tea a day to soothe the pain. You can also add a few drops of calendula tincture to your toothpaste. Then brush your teeth and carefully massage your gums with it. This will keep your gum tissues healthy.
Tea Tree Oil
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Tea tree oil is a powerful antiseptic that can reduce plaque accumulation and the degree of gum bleeding. There are many natural oral products that contain tea tree oil, and they should be quite easy to find, especially in a natural food store. Another way to use tea tree oil is to dilute one to two drops in a teaspoon of base oil such as almond or olive, then add it to your toothpaste. Do not use more than two drops at a time or swallow the oil. Wait about ten to fifteen minutes before drinking or eating.
Aloe Vera Gel
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The aloe vera plant has been known throughout history for its healing power. According to the May 2009 issue of "General Dentistry", researchers found that aloe vera tooth gel can be as effective as commercial toothpastes at fighting against plaque and increasing gum regenerative potential. To use aloe vera tooth gel, simply spread it on your toothbrush, then brush your teeth and massage your gums with it. Besides its antibacterial properties, aloe vera gel will also increase moisture in your mouth and accordingly help cure bad breath.
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