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Oral Health
Gutu Kola and Pomegranate Could Help Relieve Gum Disease
Date: 10/08/05
A recent visit to my dentist prompted me to write todays e-alert.
I went along for my usual check up feeling quite confident that my teeth were in good shape and my visit would be a short one. After the check-up, however, the dentist told me my teeth were fine, while my gums were another matter. I was shocked to find that I had the early signs of periodontal disease!
How could this be when I brush my teeth religiously every morning and night?
Thankfully I'm not a lost cause just yet. Today well look at a study where two versatile herbs that are used to treat this common gum disease that affects 1 in 4 of us at some time in our lives.
Gotu kola and pomegranate
Early-stage periodontal disease (gingivitis) is seldom painful and causes relatively minor symptoms such as red, swollen and bleeding gums. But untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a serious infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth and that could eventually cause tooth loss.
As a result the Faculty of Dentistry at Mahidol University in Bangkok (Thailand) took a closer look at the tissue healing properties of the combined extracts of gotu kola and pomegranate on gum disease.
Gotu kola is a creeping plant that grows commonly in swampy areas of India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, South Africa and the tropics. It is regarded highly by Ayurvedic healers as one of the most spiritual and rejuvenating herbs. The active constituent of the herb is called asiaticoside and this substance seems to be able to help the body build connective tissues.
The pomegranate is a popular exotic fruit whose origins are from the Middle East and Asia. Pomegranates are a rich source of antioxidants and studies are starting to prove its role in reduction in the hardening of arteries, improved heart health and lowered blood pressure.
Twenty adults who had periodonitis received scaling and root planing treatments (where the dentist cleans between the gums and teeth down to the roots), then medicated chips (treated with the two herbs) were placed on their gums. The placebo group received unmedicated chips. The researchers recorded the pocket depth of the gums, attachment level, bleeding on probing, gingival and plaque index at 3 and 6 months.
The results showed the group with medicated chips had significant improvements of pocket depth and attachment levels compared to the placebo at 3 and 6 months. Where the gums were treated with the herbal chips there was also a decreased level of plaque.
The conclusion of the study showed that local application with gotu kola and pomegranate extracts plus scaling and root planning significantly reduced the clinical signs of chronic periodonitis. And while the study did not mention whether taking the extracts internally has the same affect, these results are encouraging news for anyone suffering from gingivitis.
The problem with this disease is that it can progress without any pain or noticeable symptoms. The first sign of the disease is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth.
If you are worried about gingivitis or have any doubts about your gum health, make an appointment with your dentist for a thorough check up. But most importantly, keep a high level of oral hygiene by brushing your teeth and massaging your gums at least twice a day for 3 minutes and floss REGULARLY. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months and make sure the bristles are not too hard or they may injure your gums.
And if you do have problems, consider using gotu kola and pomegranate as they can have many other health benefits.
Ancient remedies
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is not just used for gum disease: it also has the ability to sedate, relieve depression, protect against ulcers, kill certain bacteria, and promote wound healing. In India the herb has been used for the treatment of leprosy.
In past e-alerts weve mentioned that gotu kola has been shown to ease swelling in diabetics and help prevent age-related memory loss.
The other extract used in the study, pomegranate (Punica granatum), is fast becoming recognised as an antioxidant powerhouse, possibly beating green tea and red wine in polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins. These antioxidants help bind harmful oxygen-containing molecules in your body called free radicals and peroxides that otherwise could damage your DNA, cell membranes, and other cell components.
This ancient fruit has been shown to improve function of blood vessels and heart health, reduce the hardening of arteries, lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Both of these supplements are available from good health food stores. I will keep my eye out for more studies on these health boosting remedies.
Back to topI went along for my usual check up feeling quite confident that my teeth were in good shape and my visit would be a short one. After the check-up, however, the dentist told me my teeth were fine, while my gums were another matter. I was shocked to find that I had the early signs of periodontal disease!
How could this be when I brush my teeth religiously every morning and night?
Thankfully I'm not a lost cause just yet. Today well look at a study where two versatile herbs that are used to treat this common gum disease that affects 1 in 4 of us at some time in our lives.
Gotu kola and pomegranate
Early-stage periodontal disease (gingivitis) is seldom painful and causes relatively minor symptoms such as red, swollen and bleeding gums. But untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a serious infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone that support your teeth and that could eventually cause tooth loss.
As a result the Faculty of Dentistry at Mahidol University in Bangkok (Thailand) took a closer look at the tissue healing properties of the combined extracts of gotu kola and pomegranate on gum disease.
Gotu kola is a creeping plant that grows commonly in swampy areas of India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, South Africa and the tropics. It is regarded highly by Ayurvedic healers as one of the most spiritual and rejuvenating herbs. The active constituent of the herb is called asiaticoside and this substance seems to be able to help the body build connective tissues.
The pomegranate is a popular exotic fruit whose origins are from the Middle East and Asia. Pomegranates are a rich source of antioxidants and studies are starting to prove its role in reduction in the hardening of arteries, improved heart health and lowered blood pressure.
Twenty adults who had periodonitis received scaling and root planing treatments (where the dentist cleans between the gums and teeth down to the roots), then medicated chips (treated with the two herbs) were placed on their gums. The placebo group received unmedicated chips. The researchers recorded the pocket depth of the gums, attachment level, bleeding on probing, gingival and plaque index at 3 and 6 months.
The results showed the group with medicated chips had significant improvements of pocket depth and attachment levels compared to the placebo at 3 and 6 months. Where the gums were treated with the herbal chips there was also a decreased level of plaque.
The conclusion of the study showed that local application with gotu kola and pomegranate extracts plus scaling and root planning significantly reduced the clinical signs of chronic periodonitis. And while the study did not mention whether taking the extracts internally has the same affect, these results are encouraging news for anyone suffering from gingivitis.
The problem with this disease is that it can progress without any pain or noticeable symptoms. The first sign of the disease is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth.
If you are worried about gingivitis or have any doubts about your gum health, make an appointment with your dentist for a thorough check up. But most importantly, keep a high level of oral hygiene by brushing your teeth and massaging your gums at least twice a day for 3 minutes and floss REGULARLY. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months and make sure the bristles are not too hard or they may injure your gums.
And if you do have problems, consider using gotu kola and pomegranate as they can have many other health benefits.
Ancient remedies
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is not just used for gum disease: it also has the ability to sedate, relieve depression, protect against ulcers, kill certain bacteria, and promote wound healing. In India the herb has been used for the treatment of leprosy.
In past e-alerts weve mentioned that gotu kola has been shown to ease swelling in diabetics and help prevent age-related memory loss.
The other extract used in the study, pomegranate (Punica granatum), is fast becoming recognised as an antioxidant powerhouse, possibly beating green tea and red wine in polyphenols, tannins, and anthocyanins. These antioxidants help bind harmful oxygen-containing molecules in your body called free radicals and peroxides that otherwise could damage your DNA, cell membranes, and other cell components.
This ancient fruit has been shown to improve function of blood vessels and heart health, reduce the hardening of arteries, lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Both of these supplements are available from good health food stores. I will keep my eye out for more studies on these health boosting remedies.
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