Herbal Treatment of Gingivitis
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In a previous article I discussed using essential oils to help heal inflamed and receding gums and prevent tooth decay. Herbal preparations, diet and supplementation can also help.
Vitamin Supplementation
Recent research has found that people with gum problems sometimes have underlying disease processes going on and that gum disease can be a sign of more serious conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and respiratory illnesses.
Supplementation with vitamins may help to support your body in its normal functions. Thomas Bartram, from the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, suggests 1-2g of vitamin C, 60mgs of vitamin Q10, 200 IUs of vitamin E, 50mcg of selenium and 15mgs of zinc daily. These nutrients all encourage the health of teeth and gums.
Diet
Avoid processed and spicy foods. Avoid sugar. Fruit juices also contain sugar so you may wish to reduce consumption of these. Water is best as it cleans and rehydrates the gums.
Some dental disease is caused by lack of vitamin C so in addition to supplementation, you should choose foods that are naturally high in vitamin C. Some examples of vegetables are sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, broccoli and kale.
Drinking bilberry tea daily may help reduce inflammation as the berry has anti-inflammatory properties and has traditionally been used to treat gum disease.
Hygiene
Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day. You can also brush your tongue with your toothbrush as there is bacteria on that too so brushing your tongue will get rid of more of the plaque. Choose a soft bristle toothbrush so that you don’t damage your gums.
You can also brush your teeth with aloe vera juice or rub the gel into your gums. The aloe vera plant has been shown to be helpful in treating inflamed gums and firming up loose teeth.
Herbal Mouthwash
Add one drop of tea tree oil to a cup of warm water to make disinfectant mouthwash. Clean your mouth out with this at each brushing but don’t swallow it. Essential oils are not meant to be taken internally. Don’t do this with children, who may accidental swallow the mouthwash.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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