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Holistic Treatment for Periodontal Dental Disease

If you've begun to notice that your gums are not as healthy as they once were--if they look swollen or bleed a little when you brush--you are not alone. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in people over age 30. With proper care, periodontal disease can be treated with good results. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to infection and tooth and bone loss. More ominously, Perio.org reports that there may be a link between periodontal disease and heart disease.

  1. Brushing

    • This is your first line of defense, but you must brush and floss correctly. A quick, 30-second swish is not enough. Brush gently, paying close attention to the gum line. Hold your brush at an approximate 45-degree angle to your teeth and brush for at least 2 minutes. Electric toothbrushes have been shown to remove more plaque and some come with a timer to keep you on schedule.

    Flossing

    • Flossing is an important part of daily oral care. That little length of string or tape can significantly reduce your risk of gum disease because it cleans where you need it most---at the gum line. According to Dan Peterson, DDS, "The onset of gum disease often begins in the area between the teeth" but "fewer that 10 percent of the population ever flosses regularly or effectively." He suggests the use of a dental irrigator such as the WaterPik to help keep teeth and gums healthy.

    Lifestyle

    • You know that smoking, drinking excess alcohol and high stress levels are not good for your overall health, but your teeth can suffer, too. Unhealthy lifestyle choices deplete your body of vitamins and nutrients and weaken your immune system.

    Fruits and Vegetables

    • A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can affect your teeth in surprising ways. Hard, fibrous vegetables such as carrots and celery can help to stimulate your teeth and gums but certain fruits such as oranges, pineapples and peaches are high in natural sugars and should be eaten in moderation. The University of Michigan recommends rinsing your mouth with water after these snacks.

    Chewing Gum

    • Contrary to the admonitions of mothers everywhere, gum does not rot your teeth. In fact, the University of Michigan recommends it, stating "Chewing sugarless gum after meals promotes production of saliva, a natural mouth rinse, and helps neutralize tooth-decaying acids in plaque...Chewing gums sweetened with Xylitol can reduce and control the amount of bacteria that cause decay."

    CoQ10

    • According to the University of Maryland, a limited number of studies have observed that people with gum disease have lower levels of CoQ10 in their gums. Using a mouth rinse or tooth gel containing CoQ10 may increase the speed of healing and tissue repair in subjects with gum disease.

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