Natural ways to Treat and Prevent Periodontal Disease

There’s a number of ways you can treat and prevent periodontal disease. There are the obvious daily dental-hygiene practices you should perform, such as brushing and flossing, that will help fight off gum disease. Some preventative dental procedures include cleaning teeth thoroughly, taking X rays to find potential issues, applying teeth sealant, and doing fluoride treatments. Dental visits are a must if you want to, detect, and treat, and prevent periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease treatment from a dentist is much more invasive and expensive than the preventative measures. Scaling and planting, and dental bone and gum grafts, are all ways dentists treat periodontal disease. If you’re looking for natural ways to help treat and prevent periodontal disease, you’re in luck. There are supplements you can take, foods you can eat, and a number of other things you can do to treat periodontal disease naturally and affordably.

Vitamin C

In the August 2000 issue of the Journal of Periodontology, a study was released indicating that people who get less than the recommended amount of vitamin C, are at a greater risk for gum disease than those who do. Robert Genco, D.D.S., Ph.D., chair of the Oral Biology Department at The State University of New York at Buffalo, weighed in on the findings. “”Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disorder that increases tissue damage and loss. Since vitamin C is known as a powerful scavenger of reactive oxygen species, which form part of the body’s antioxidant defense system, low levels of dietary vitamin C may compromise the body’s ability to neutralize these tissue destructive oxidants,” Genco stated. So eat your greens, strawberries, and oranges, and be sure to get your daily dose of vitamin C.

Calcium and Vitamin D

Calcium is famous for being good for your bone and dental health. It’s common knowledge that the ingestion of Calcium helps keep bones and teeth healthy by making them strong. Research has shown that those who get under 500 mg a day, the recommended daily amount, are more likely to get periodontal disease.

Vitamin D, which helps with calcium absorption and is found in most calcium-rich food,  helps treat and prevent periodontal disease by reducing inflammation. A Boston University study studied data from 6700 people who had responded to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The results of the survey indicated that people with higher levels of vitamin D present in their bloodstream experienced less gum bleeding during probing. Eating low-fat dairy products is a great way to get both calcium and vitamin D in your diet.

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are fairly well-known as natural whitening agents, but did you know they can help prevent and treat gum disease as well? Dr. Andrew Weis is a professor of medicine at the University of Arizona. In his health advice column at prevention.com, Weis was asked if there were any natural treatments for periodontal disease. Dr. Weis suggested making a paste the same texture as toothpaste, with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, and brushing your teeth with it. This kills plaque and bacteria, reducing inflammation. This paste will also whiten your teeth a bit, making it an extra awesome way to treat and prevent periodontal disease.

Tea Tree Oil

As far as natural antibacterial products go, Tea Tree Oil is one of the most well-known, and the most powerful. Tea Tree Oil toothpaste has been shown to help reduce the symptoms of periodontal disease when used consistently. This strong, capable antibiotic, attacks bad bacteria but is gentle enough for daily use. Tea Tree Oil toothpaste is effective, but applying the oil directly is not, so be sure to purchase Tea Tree Oil toothpaste for use in dental applications. There are plenty of brands of natural Tea Tree Oil toothpaste available in all price ranges, making it an easy and affordable way to treat and prevent periodontal disease.