Periodontal Disease (Gum Illness)

Definition

Periodontal disease is characterized by inflammation or deterioration of the tissue that encompass and support the teeth, gums, the bone one’s teeth are set in (alveolar bone), the periodontal ligament, and also the cementum (the actual tissue which connects these types of structures).

Types

The most common and often initial type of periodontal illness is inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis. If not treated, gingivitis may spread, leading to increased inflammation in the walls and tissues around the base of the teeth and potential erosion of the underlying bone. Periodontitis is the major cause of bone reduction in adults.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of periodontal illness are red inflamed gum tissue that bleeds easily due to common activities such as flossing, teeth brushing, or eating difficult foods such as raw apples.

Cause

Gum disease is primarily caused by poor dental hygiene (insufficient teeth cleaning and flossing) leading to an accumulation of microbial plaque. It can also occur during pregnancy and puberty, due to hormonal factors. It can also be caused by a lack of essential nutrients such as ascorbic acid, folic acid and other B vitamins, and calcium supplements.

Additional risk factors consist of problems with the biting surface (malocclusion), breathing through the mouth area, food impaction, and decreased cells in and around the gums because of plaque buildup, and poor diet. It is also caused by hydrochloric acid deficiency. Smoking as well as the use of birth control pills can also play roles.

Caution: Gingivitis may be the primary sign that there is an underlying wide spread problem or debilitating illness such as diabetic issues or leukemia, heavy metal toxicity, lowered resistance to illness, allergies, or even vitamin deficiencies. In addition, the bacteria associated with periodontal disease have been shown to migrate throughout the body, creating a burden on the cardiovascular system and adding to heart disease.

Organic Cures

Diet plan: Eat a natural, whole foods diet, with at least 7 servings of fresh natural fruits and vegetables daily, as well as other higher-dietary fiber foods. Get rid of sugar, processed carbohydrates, prepared foods, soda, and commercial fruits juices.

Herbs: Combine equal areas of myrrh and Echinacea to make a tincture, and apply to your gums three times per day with a very fine paintbrush. Additionally, massage your gums with goldenseal or bayberry insert. For internal use, combine the tinctures of Echinacea, cleavers, and prickly ash in equal parts and take 1 teaspoon twice daily.

Juice Therapy: Drink fruit juices high in vitamin A and beta-carotene, such as carrot or cantaloupe juice.

Way of life: The best remedy for periodontal disease is actually prevention. Brush your the teeth and start flossing after each meal, and see a holistic dentist for checkups every six months.

Dietary Supplementation: After flossing, rinse your mouth with several mouthfuls of liquid folic acid for just one minute. To create your own liquid folic acid solution buy folate supplements in the form of folic acid crystals in eight hundred mg pills. Empty two capsules into a glass of pure filtered water. Also, take folic acid orally with vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, as well as zinc.

For contaminated gums, increase your dosage of vitamin A for three days and then slowly reduce in order to maintain dosage over a fourteen day period.

For gums that bleed, consume pure strained water along with fresh squeezed organic lemon juice upon waking as well as before going to bed.

Topical Remedy: Brush your teeth with mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, as well as massage your gums with your fingers. In cases of bleeding gums, create a mouthwash by combining 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of pure filtered water. Use this in order to gargle with in the morning as well as evening. Utilizing a toothpaste produced from tea sapling oil, citrus fruit seed or peroxide can also be useful.

Alternative Professional Care

If your symptoms continue despite following the remedies listed above, seek the assistance of a qualified health professional. These professional care therapies have been proven to be useful for treating periodontal illness: Acupuncture, Ayurveda, Detoxification Treatment, Environmental Medicine, Magnetic Area Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Oxygen Therapy, and traditional Chinese Medicine. (See Glossary for descriptions of those alternative treatments.)