Good oral health is a very important part of our well-being. But sometimes the usual oral hygiene that includes brushing teeth, flossing, and regular dental check-ups is not enough. If you want your gums to stay healthy, you can try to take care of them with the help of some natural remedies.
Before using any natural remedy, keep in mind that no remedy can replace standard oral care. Along with brushing teeth, flossing, and professional dental check-ups, you can keep your mouth healthy by eating foods that are rich calcium and avoid sugary foods and drinks.
A healthy lifestyle can also help protect your gums against different illnesses. Smoking is one of the most significant causes of gum disease and braking this habit can lower your risk of getting this condition.
If you experience such gum disease symptoms as bleeding, pain, or sensitivity, it is very important to consult your dentist as soon as possible rather than trying to treat your gum problems with natural remedies.
How natural remedies can be useful for oral health?
In the mouth, bacteria constantly form a sticky substance called plaque. Brushing teeth and flossing can help you reduce the amount of plaque on your teeth, but it can also harden and create tartar. If you don’t remove plaque and tartar, they can cause gingivitis (gums inflammation). Without the proper treatment, this condition can advance to periodontitis which is much more serious and can even lead to teeth loss. In addition, periodontitis has a relation to heart disease.
Despite the fact, that any natural remedy is not able to prevent or treat gum disease, some remedies can help get rid of the plague. Here is the list of five natural remedies to keep your gums healthy.
1. Tea tree oil
Some researches discovered that tea tree oil may help treat gingivitis. To stay on the safe side, it is better to choose a toothpaste that contains this essential oil as an ingredient. Undiluted tea tree oil can be toxic and it can be unsafe to use as a remedy at home.
2. Neem
Neem is an ayurvedic remedy that has great antibacterial properties. Studies show that it can be successfully used as a mouthwash. This remedy can even compete with chlorhexidine, which is found in many mouthwashes. Using a mouthwash with neem two times a day can help get rid of plaque and prevent gingivitis.
3. Vitamin C
Vitamin C can also help protect oral health. People who don’t receive enough vitamin C are more prone to gingivitis and periodontal disease. In order to consume more vitamin C, you can add oranges, strawberry, mango, kiwi, red pepper, brussels sprouts, and broccoli into your diet.
4. Oil pulling
One more Ayurvedic remedy is oil pulling. Take a tablespoon of oil (for example, sesame or coconut oil) and swish your mouth with it for 10-15 minutes. There are not many studies that can prove the effect of oil pulling on oral health. But some researches discovered that it can help reduce plaque and decrease the risk of gingivitis.
5. Cranberry
Some studies show that cranberries can help prevent gum disease because they don’t let bacteria stick to your teeth. Moreover, a preliminary study suggests that some compounds found in cranberries can manage inflammation associated with periodontitis.
