Holistic Treatment for Gum Disease

Holistic treatments treat the body as a whole rather than trying to treat just the affected area. Holistic treatments for gum disease look at preventing and treating the ailment from a whole body perspective rather than just looking at the gums.
Gum disease, also called periodontitis, is generally caused by bacteria on and beneath the gumline. Common symptoms of periodontal disease include: swollen or bleeding gums; bad breath; receding gum line; shifting or movement in teeth; loose teeth and loss of teeth.

Detection

• According to the Holistic Dental Network, "We employ an early detection technique called Modulated Microbilogical Periodontal Therapy, also known as KEYES THERAPY. Developed by Dr. Paul Keyes while he was at The National Institutes of Health, this...non-surgical approach involves the assessment of the bacteria risk that a person has present in their mouth. The...analysis involves taking a small sample of the bacterial plaque from under a persons gumline and placing it under a phase contrast microscope."

  By judging the amount and type of bacteria present, a holistic treatment plan is created to address that individual's specific issues.

Benefits

• The benefits of holistic gum disease treatments versus traditional dental treatments are that the whole body health and condition is looked at when devising a treatment or prevention plan.
  By looking at contributing factors like diet and oral hygiene habits a very basic plan can be created. When factoring in additional factors like health history, chronological diseases and bacteria levels in the gums, a more comprehensive plan can be made. This can also lessen the chance for a treatment to exacerbate a co-existing health problem.

Considerations

• A dental professional should still be involved in the treatment of gum disease, regardless of whether they are the ones prescribing the holistic treatment or if they are only one component of the treatment plan. The expertise and knowledge that dentists and periodontists offer is invaluable when treating gum disease, especially if it is an advanced form.

Treatments

• There are several different treatments that are routinely used as part of a holistic treatment plan.
  A highly acidic diet, which tends to be high in protein, can contribute to acidic saliva. Saliva can be tested with litmus paper. A score lower than 6.9 is considered acidic. Cutting sugar from the diet is also highly recommended.
  Drink water often, as it helps hydrate and moisturize the mouth and gums. Bacteria grow well in dry areas, so this helps keep the number of bacteria down.
  Use a water pick, or oral irrigation system, to clean below the gumline. This gets rid of more bacteria than either brushing or flossing alone.
  Use herbs and homeopathic remedies to soothe irritations and sores in the mouth. A mixture of equal amounts water and hydrogen peroxide helps heal irritations and get rid of bacteria.

Warning

• Always consult a dental or medical professional when treating gum disease. All information in this article is for reference only and should not take the place of professional medical recommendations.