How to Use Natural Cures to Treat Gum Disease
Gum disease can get a foothold before you know it. You get two sets of teeth. Losing the first set may earn visits from the Tooth Fairy, but losing your permanent teeth is no fun. You may not notice the signs of gum disease, which may include bad breath, redness, swelling and receding gums. Before gum disease results in irreversible tooth and bone loss, treat your gums with some natural cures and home remedies.
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Things You'll Need
- Toothbrush
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Eucalyptus essential oil
- Tea tree oil
- Myrrh powder
- Goldenseal powder
- Aloe vera
- Apple cider vinegar
- Foods high in flavonoids
- Green tea
- Witch hazel
- Vitamin E
Instructions
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Brush a minimum of twice daily to prevent the buildup of plaque, a sticky white substance that gathers at the gum line and between the teeth. Plaque contains the bacteria that irritate your gums, making them red and swollen. Although improper dental hygiene isn't the only cause of gum disease, the "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine" says it the most common cause. Frequent brushing is the best natural cure for preventing gum disease.
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Combine equal parts of salt and baking soda and store it in an airtight container. Use the powder as a natural alternative to your regular toothpaste. Soda provides gentle abrasion to remove plaque at the gum line, and salt counteracts bacteria and tones the gum tissues.
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Add herbs to create a custom home remedy to treat gum disease. To your salt-soda mixture, you may add a few drops of tea tree oil or eucalyptus essential oil to fight bacteria at the gum line. Other potentially beneficial herbs include goldenseal bark powder and ground myrrh. Mix 1/4 cup of dried powdered herb(s) to 1 cup of salt-soda mixture to make a natural brushing powder.
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Pamper and treat your tender gums with home remedies. Stir 1 tbsp of aloe vera gel into 1/2 cup of warm water and swish the liquid through your mouth after brushing. Alternately, add 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to 1/2 cup of warm water. These natural cures sooth irritated gums and reduce mouth dryness, which is another cause of gum disease, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia."
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Reduce sugar intake by cutting out sweet snacks and sugary sodas, suggests the University of Maryland Medical Center. Eat naturally sweet foods, such as fruits, with meals. The Center advises parents to offer their children milk and water instead of fruit juices to promote mouth health.
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Increase healthy flavonoids in your diet. Flavonoids are antioxidants that help keep gums healthy and fight the effects of harmful bacteria. Foods containing flavonoids include broccoli, limes, carrots, onions, blueberries, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, apples, soybeans and tomatoes.
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Sip green tea. Green tea, which contains polyphenols, inhibits the growth of the bacteria that cause gum disease, according to the Journal of Periodontology Online. Use green tea as a home remedy in addition to good dental hygiene.
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Massage your gums daily after brushing. The "Gale Encyclopedia" recommends moistening your fingers with hazel or vitamin E and gently rubbing your gums in a circular motion at the gum line to stimulate circulation and treat gum disease. Add a drop of eucalyptus essential oil if desired.
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Tips & Warnings
Smoking increases your risk of gum disease. Quitting is a natural cure that will benefit your overall health in addition to reducing your risk of gum disease.
Use natural cures to treat gum disease in addition to following your dentist's suggested treatment plan.
Dental intervention may be necessary to remove the plaque and bacteria at the root of the problem.
When left untreated, gum disease may increase the risk of developing heart disease.
References
Resources
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