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Oral Health
Gingivitis Treatment: Natural Remedies To Help Your Gums
Date: 01/10/02
Do you find that your gums often bleed when you're brushing your teeth, leaving them feeling swollen and tender afterwards? Or do you suffer from sensitive teeth and gums, which become especially painful just after you've eaten ice cream or had a hot drink? Perhaps you've noticed that regardless of how many times you brush your teeth, you always seem to have a horrible taste in your mouth and bad breath?
If so, it's important that you don't ignore these symptoms. They all indicate that you're suffering from gingivitis - a common problem which is thought to affect hundreds of thousands of people in the UK, and which is typically characterised by inflamed gums that bleed easily.
Gingivitis can soon spread to affect your entire mouth, causing tooth inflammation and stomatitis (mouth infection and ulcers), and lead to difficulties when chewing. But all these symptoms may seem like a mere nuisance when compared to the hidden threat gingivitis can pose if left untreated.
Disturbingly, some experts now believe that certain bugs which cause gingivitis, such as streptococcus mutants, may be capable of passing through your bloodstream and reaching your heart, where they could eventually block your arteries and have fatal consequences. While this argument remains largely hypothetical at this stage, research is currently under way to explore this possibility. However, one thing is certain and that is the importance of taking care of your gums.
Use an electric toothbrush to prevent plaque attacking your gums
One of the main causes of gingivitis is a build-up of plaque around your teeth - a result of inadequate flossing or brushing. Plaque is a soft film of bacteria and food remnants which can soon accumulate between your teeth, over the base of your teeth and near your gums.
If not cleaned or brushed away properly, plaque can quickly harden after just a couple of days to form tartar, a substance which is so hard it can't be removed with an ordinary toothbrush. Your chances of developing tartar are much higher if you have fillings, dentures or bridges.
Apart from plaque, other causes of gingivitis include a vitamin C or niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency, certain drugs such as nifedipine (a heart pill) and smoking - yet another good reason to quit if you currently smoke. Another contributory factor is age - many people in middle age find that their gums naturally start to recede.
Fortunately, there are steps you can start taking straight away, before a trip to your dentist becomes a necessity. First and foremost is to establish a good oral hygiene programme at home. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Consider investing in an electric toothbrush if you don't already have one, as they're extremely effective at removing plaque before it has a chance to harden. You should also floss regularly.
A new mouthwash has recently become available; it's made up of a gel containing hyaluronic acid, a substance found naturally in your gums. This gel, under the brand name of Gengigel, has been shown to be extremely effective in restoring gums to a healthy state and preventing infection.
In addition, there are a range of nutritional remedies that have been shown to help maintain healthy gums and keep gingivitis at bay.
Brushing your teeth with tea can improve the health of your gums!
As strange as it may sound, when applied directly to your gums, green tea can work wonders in helping to prevent gingivitis. According to Chinese researchers, brushing your teeth with ordinary green tea helps block the growth of Streptococcus mutants, which causes gingivitis.
In order to confirm this result, the researchers applied a few drops of green tea to a petri dish brimming with Streptococcus mutants. They found that the bug was completely restricted from multiplying after just five minutes in the presence of green tea.
To benefit, simply pour boiling hot water over green tea leaves (just as you would prepare tea normally), wait for it to cool down and then apply the liquid to your teeth and gums with a toothbrush.
Co-enzyme Q10 has also been found to be effective against infected gums. It works by limiting the activity of free radicals, which play a part in the infection process. The recommended dosage is 30mg of co-enzyme Q10 a day. Some gingivitis sufferers prefer to apply the oil from these capsules directly to their gums. Both methods have been found to have beneficial results.
Another effective nutrient that can help protect your gums is folic acid, which can be taken in tablet form or used as a mouthwash. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers gave a group of women with gingivitis either folic acid tablets, folic acid in mouthwash form or a placebo. After a month of treatment, the mouthwash proved to be far more beneficial in improving gum health.
Certain vitamins are particularly adept at improving gingivitis. Vitamin C is one of the most important and the recommended dose is normally 1,000mg a day. Vitamin E is next in line - take 400IU a day. Other beneficial vitamins include 500mg of niacin (vitamin B3) a day, and 100mg of vitamin B6.
For optimum teeth and gum health, make sure you also visit your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups.
Sources:
Chian Hsueh 1993, 28:4
J Cl Peridontol 1982, 9(3):275-280
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