As people age, they may develop gingivitis, tooth decay, or a receding gum line. Before there was commercial toothpaste and mouthwash, people used herbs, such as goldenseal, myrrh, tea tree, salt, neem, vitamin C and vitamin D as gum disease natural treatments. Today, recipes for herbal gum disease treatments may be found online and ready-to-use products can be purchased at a local or Internet health food store.
Goldenseal and myrrh are two well-known gum disease natural treatments that have been used for hundreds of years in traditional medicine. For gum inflammation or canker sores, goldenseal powder may be applied. Goldenseal tea may be used as a mouthwash as well. Powdered myrrh may be made into a tea by combining one or two teaspoons (5-10 grams) of the powder with one cup (237 mL) of water. This should steep for 10-15 minutes and be taken three times a day.
Tea tree essential oil and neem are also used as gum disease natural treatments. Tea tree essential oil is a non-abrasive, non-toxic compound with strong antibiotic properties. A preventative mouthwash may be made by mixing tea tree essential oil with warm water; this mouthwash may be used to treat gingivitis as well.
The neem plant has more than 150 different antibacterial and antiviral properties. A study testing the effects of neem on dental plaque divided the subjects into three groups. One group used neem, one group used a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine gluconate, and one group used a placebo gel. At the three-week and six-week marks, the group using neem toothpaste had much less evidence of plaque when compared to the other groups. Neem should not be taken internally because it is a known spermicide; some research indicates ingesting neem caused three months of infertility.
Those with low levels of vitamin C, vitamin D and Coenzyme Q10 are more likely to have dental problems. Research has shown that taking at least 180 milligrams a day of vitamin C and getting 10-15 minutes of sunlight each day will ensure that the body has enough of these vitamins to protect dental health. This is because they have natural anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants which helps the body fight free radicals and disease-causing bacteria. These gum disease natural treatments come in tablet, soft gel, and liquid and may be purchased locally or online.
The following ingredients, available at a health food store, can be combined to make a homebrew gum disease natural treatment. Mix 10 ounces (296 mL) of echinacea tincture, 2 ounces (59 mL) tea tree oil, four ounces (118 mL) bayberry tincture, 2 ounces (59 mL) goldenseal tincture, 2 tablespoons (about 30 mL) myrrh powder, and 2-1/2 dropperfuls of both peppermint oil and clove oil. Stir together and shake well before use. This can be kept in an airtight jar and used as needed.