Essential oils can sometimes be used as a treatment for gum disease, plaque control, inflammation and bleeding. It can also be used to maintain implants and to prevent cavities.
This approach isn’t solely ‘alternative’ as some medications contain essential oils. For instance, Vicks Vaporub that is used to rub on your chest to ease congestion is made with eucalyptus oil from the eucalyptus tree. It is a form of aromatherapy and may help by opening up your sinuses.
Oils that may help are:
Eucalyptus
Researchers from the Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry in Japan found that when patients chewed eucalyptus chewing gum it reduced the amount of bacteria on their tongue (and bacteria can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath).
They gave three groups of people either high dose eucalyptus gum, low dose gum or a placebo gum. Both the eucalyptus groups had a significant reduction in tongue bacteria and bad breath, but the placebo group did not. (1)
Another trial found that eucalyptus gum had a significant positive effect on gingivitis and periodontal disease and that it may promote periodontal health. (2)
Neem
The College of Pharmaceutical Sciences in India found that Neem leaf extract in a dental gel reduced plaque and bacteria. Of three groups (one treated with neem gel, one with a common anti-bacterial substance used in mouthwashes and one with a placebo gel), the neem gel group had the lowest levels of plaque and bacteria. (3)
Tea Tree Oil
A study in the Australian Dental Journal on 49 people with gingivitis (inflammation and bleeding of the gums) found that a dental gel containing tea tree oil, applied to a toothbrush and given twice daily. After eight weeks, the patients who had had the tea tree-containing gel had a big reduction in the amount of inflammation and bleeding they had. (4)
Essential oils can be used in toothpastes, dental gels and mouthwashes.
Stress has been shown to worsen the outcome of periodontal disease so you can also use other oils for massage and relaxation. Oils that induce a relaxed state are mandarin oil (good for young children), chamomile oil, lavender oil, and geranium oil to name a few. The drops can either be added to a carrier oil and massaged into your skin or you can add a few drops to the bath. (5)
Cautions
If you are using essential oils for children, you shouldn’t use essential oil mouthwashes in case they swallow it. Essential oils can be given to children via children’s herbal toothpaste.
Do not put essential oils on your child’s face or anywhere near his nose if he is under two. "Eucalyptus oil is toxic when taken by mouth. Do not take eucalyptus oil except under your doctor' s supervision."
Don’t use eucalyptus oil at all if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. (6)
If you have asthma, a seizure disorder, liver disease, kidney disease or low blood pressure, please check with a qualified aromatherapist or doctor before using essential oils.
Sources:
1. Effect of Eucalyptus-Extract Chewing Gum on Oral Malodor: A Double-Masked, Randomized Trial, Journal of Periodontology, 2010, Vol. 81, No. 11, Pages 1564-1571. Abstract: http://www.joponline.org/doi/abs/10.1902/jop.2010.100249
2. Effect of eucalyptus extract chewing gum on periodontal health: a double-masked, randomized trial, J Periodontol. 2008 Aug;79(8):1378-85. Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18672986
3. Evaluation of antiplaque activity of Azadirachta indica leaf extract gel--a 6-week clinical study, J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jan;90(1):99-103. Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14698516
4. The effects of a tea tree oil-containing gel on plaque and chronic gingivitis, Australian Dental Journal Volume 49, Issue 2, pages 78–83, June 2004. Abstract: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1834-7819.2004.tb00054.x/abstract
5. Reversing Gum Disease Naturally, Sandra Senzon Dental Hygienist, published by Wiley (2003). ISBN No: 978-0-471-22230-9. Author’s Website: www.toothfairyshow.com
6. Eucalyptus, University of Maryland Medical Center. Web. 6 December 2011. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/eucalyptus-000241.htm
Joanna is a freelance health writer for The Mother magazine and Suite 101 with a column on infertility, http://infertility.suite101.com/. She is author of the book, 'Breast Milk: A Natural Immunisation,' and co-author of an educational resource on disabled parenting.
Reviewed December 6, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith