Herbal Cures for Gum Disease

Gum disease, also known as gingivitis or periodontal disease, is an inflammation of the gums due to a bacterial infection. As you eat, plaque accumulates on your teeth and around your gum line. As it mixes with starches, sugars and bacteria, it forms tartar. Tartar irritates the gums and opens the door to infection. Gum disease is common--according to the University of Virginia, it affects seventy-five percent of adults. It can lead to tooth loss and has been linked to heart disease. Proper dental care along with supportive herbs can prevent or reduce the likelihood of developing gum disease.

Green Tea

• Green tea, consumed regularly, has protective effects on the gums. The Journal of Periodontology (JoP) reports a positive relationship between green tea and gum health. In the study, men who drank green tea had less gum disease. Kenneth Kornman, editor of the JoP notes that catechins--a compound found in green tea--may be responsible for the protection. He goes on to suggest "...that particular chemical, when purified and studied in the laboratory, has extensive ability to reduce inflammation throughout the body and also the ability to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that may be involved in certain diseases like gum disease."

Tea Tree Oil

• Antiseptic, antibacterial, antibiotic and antifungal, tea tree oil is useful for any number of infections. In addition to its infection-fighting capabilities, tea tree oil also has anti-inflammatory properties. A drop of tea tree oil mixed with your toothpaste will help to reduce the bacteria that can cause hard plaque, gingivitis and periodontal disease. Tea tree oil can also be mixed with warm water and used as a rinse or used in a dental irrigator.

  Commercial toothpastes containing tea tree oil are also available.

Neem

• An extract derived from the leaves, seeds and twigs of the neem plant (Azadirachta indica) is a useful anti-gingival. In 2004, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology reported that a gel containing neem oil extract lowered plaque measurements in the subjects. According to its authors, the study "suggests that neem extract gel is appropriate for treating gingivitis and oral infections because it inhibits the formation of plaque and the growth of bacteria." Neem oil can be mixed with water for a mouthwash or mixed with toothpaste. As with all rinses and toothpastes, do not swallow. Pregnant or nursing women should not use neem.