Natural Periodontal Care for Healthy Gums

Healthy Gums Are Possible!

Do you have receding gums and other signs of periodontal disease, like bleeding when you brush your teeth? Are you scared of losing your pearly whites?

Help is here! I’m going to share my top tips for healthy gums and teeth, which may help you halt (or at least slow) the progression of your periodontal disease. I’ve personally used these with great results.

What’s good for your body is good for your mouth. So, I’ll be covering diet and lifestyle in this post, as well as hygiene. This is a bit long, but please stay with it, because (depending on the severity of your condition) these tips could potentially help you heal your mouth and keep your teeth longer, as well as improve your overall health.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease involves loss of tissue of the gums and jaw bone, due to infection and inflammation. Because those tissues are important for the structure of your teeth, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. It can also negatively affect your heart and overall health.

Unfortunately, there are many factors that contribute to periodontal disease, including diet and underlying medical conditions. This is the scary part. Sorry. But, knowledge is power and if you can pinpoint where the disease is coming from, then you have a better chance of being able to address it, holistically.

Risk Factors

Here are some of the things that contribute to periodontal disease. Do any of these apply to you?

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Diet heavy in carbs and sugar

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Poor dental hygiene

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Buildup of plaque

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Heredity

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Dehydration

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Imbalance in the microbiome

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Nutritional deficiencies

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Smoking

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Recreational drug use

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Medications that cause dry mouth

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Diabetes

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Obesity

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Insulin resistance

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Chronic inflammation

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Rheumatoid arthritis

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Poor immune function

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Impaired central nervous system

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Poor digestion

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Hormonal changes

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Junk food

Learn About the Symptoms

A Need for Healing

Most people develop periodontal disease later in life, which is often why their teeth fall out and they require dentures. Unfortunately, I had it by my late teens. It was one of the signs that I was in poor health.

At one point, I asked the Universe what was wrong with me? A week or so later, I discovered that I had scoliosis and degenerative disc disease. That was just before my 30th birthday, which was fifteen years ago.

When I was diagnosed, the doctor told me that my central nervous system was basically failing. It made complete sense to me that aside from a really poor diet in my childhood and the resulting insulin resistance, my spinal health was a major contributor to my periodontal disease.

Having undergone extensive therapy, my spine is in better shape, than it was, and so is my central nervous system. However, I still have to be very careful about my gums and my overall health, so I can keep my teeth. My point is that in order to have healthy gums, you need to have a healthy body. That’s what I’m continuously working on and I encourage you to do the same.

Why I Am Sharing

Periodontal disease is rarely discussed, outside of the dentists’ office, but it affects so many people and it’s really scary.

I posted some of these tips on Facebook, a while back, and my friend asked me for more information, since she’s also struggling with periodontal issues.

I wanted to create a blog post, as well, so this information could be more accessible for her and anyone else who needs support in healing their gums, naturally, or at least slowing the progression of periodontal disease.

I figured that you might want to hear about this stuff from someone who’s been there, so that’s why I’m being so open about my own experience and condition.

I am not a dentist, hygienist, or periodontist. The information presented here is from my own personal trials and research. Some of this is very sensitive information, so please be kind.

Use your own judgement in determining which information to use, from this post, if any.

Also, please find a dentist or specialist to work with, if you don’t already have one.

“You can prevent periodontal disease from progressing by noticing symptoms early enough, getting treated, and maintaining proper oral hygiene post-treatment.”

– Gio Dental at Station Landing

Hygiene for a Healthier Mouth

The gums are delicate tissues. It’s important to keep our mouths clean, without being too aggressive about it, because that can lead to further damange. Twice a day is what’s usually recommended for doing our oral hygiene routines.

Floss

Floss gets down along the base of the tooth and scrapes bacterial film that may have accumulated, as well as removing food particles from between the teeth. Even with all of the following high-tech tools, floss should still be the first hygiene tool that you use in your defense against plaque and gum disease. Beware of the super silky flat tape that doesn’t really do anything. Waxed is best, but make sure it has some grip, because the scraping part is really important.

Phillips Sonicare Toothbrush

How many of us ever really get a full two minutes of brushing in, without some kind of timer? Well, this sleek electric toothbrush has a timer with 30 seconds for each of the four areas of your mouth, totaling two minutes. Electric toothbrushes pulse fluid around the teeth and along the gum line, so make sure you put a bit of water in your mouth (a teaspoon or so), before using this, especially if you use a thick toothpaste.

It is a bit of an investment, at about $80. But, if that means at least getting your teeth and gums in better shape, then maybe it’s worth it? I didn’t have quite enough money to see a periodontist, but I did invest in this, a water pik, and some oral probiotics. With those tools and some changes to my diet (see below), I was able to improve my condition. Just sayin’.

Natural Periodontal Care Sonicare Toothbrush

Sonisoft Replacement Brush Heads

The brush heads that come with the Sonicare toothbrush are too firm for everyday use. It’s enough to have a vibrating toothbrush. No need to go overboard with stiff bristles, as well. The right pressure and vibration can help keep teeth clean, but too much can damage teeth and gums. It’s a fine line. So, I use Sonisoft Replacement Brush Heads most days. Occasionally, when I notice that my teeth feel furry and need a bit of extra cleaning, I’ll switch in the original brush head.

Sensitive Toothpaste

If you have receding gums and other symptoms of periodontitus, your teeth are probably very sensitive. It’s important to make sure that you use a good quality toothpaste without a lot of chemicals and unnecessary junk that can contribute to poor health.

I use Tom’s of Maine Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste. It’s a little expensive, I’m not going to lie. But, I feel better about using that than something super junky like Colgate. It also has silica and other minerals, which help to fill in the dentin and keep your teeth strong. It doesn’t take a whole lot, especially if you’re using an electronic toothbrush.

Travel Waterpik

Have you ever seen one of those full-sized water piks? They take up a lot of real estate (counter space), they’re not the most attractive things in the world, and they tend to get water everywhere.

I wanted something really sleek and easy-to-use. I found this black travel waterpik, which blends in nicely with my dark grey countertop, when I need to have it out out. This also tucks easily into my small bathroom drawer. The charger is very streamlined and it just plugs into the back of the device. I charge it overnight and it holds for about two weeks.

A water pik is unique in that it flushes water into the gums, while flushing debris out into the sink. Those of us with deep pockets in our gums (anyone with periodontal disease) really benefit from a good daily flushing, because it gets particles out that flossing just can’t.

This particular device may be a bit aggressive for some, as it only has one setting. Though, chances are that your gums will adapt. I use this once-a-day (in the evenings), unless I eat something really carby or crumbly that needs flushing out, during the day.

Nature’s Answer Periobrite Cleanse

This mouth rinse is made up of herbs and other botanicals. It was recommended to me by a woman at the local health food store who has suffered from periodontal issues, herself. I put a couple pumps of this this in my water pik, along with warm water to help it dissolve. Using the water pik is the last stage of my dental care, for the night. Floss, brush, flush with water.

The Periobrite Cleanse is thick and brown and it can stain the well, after a while. Every couple of months, I fill the well with water and hydrogen peroxide and let that sit for an hour, or so. That kills off anything that might be growing. It also removed any stains and residue from the Periobrite.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling involves swishing with an oil for 15-20 minutes (while you take a shower or wash the dishes?). When it’s done regularly, it’s thought to neutralize bad breath, reduce gum inflammation, reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth, prevent cavities, etc.

Most people do oil pulling with coconut oil, because it has its own benefits, above other oils. I don’t always do oil pulling. I tend to reserve this for when I notice a sore spot on my gums. But, I do notice a positive difference, when I do it. And some people swear by doing this daily.

Cloves

Cloves contain a substance called eugenol, which can support your dental health in a number of ways. Eugenol helps to relieve pain and is antiseptic. Cloves also help to freshen breath. There are two ways that I use cloves, regularly:

1) Oil pulling: I mix some clove essential oil into my coconut oil, to get the additional benefits, while oil pulling.

2) Elderberry tea. I use elderberry tea for a variety of purposes, including blood sugar control and keeping candida and other harmful organisms in check.

I drink it a few times a week. I toss some clove buds in with my dried elderberries, when making my elderberry tea, to give it some flavor (because it has very little, on its own) and to benefit from the eugenol.

Regular Dental Cleanings

The yellowish plaque that builds up on your teeth is created by harmful organisms in your mouth and it needs to be professionally scraped off. Make sure that you get into your dentist’s office for a cleaning at least every six months. Every four months is sometimes recommended, for more severe cases.

You may need a deep cleaning, if a routine one is not doing the trick or if your condition is advanced. It’s invasive, because it involves numbing and usually requires two visits, but it can be very helpful.

Pro tip: Cold water can hurt, especially for those of us with exposed roots. Ask for warm water, when you go in for your cleanings. That will help to alleviate pain from overly sensitive teeth, when they ask you to swish.

What to Eat

Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check

I have insulin resistance, which is a precursor to diabetes. I was diagnosed in my 20’s, but I suspect that I’ve had it since I was very young. In the past five years, I’ve attemped to cut back on carbs, in order to get my insulin resistance under control. I do believe that it’s helping to stabilize my gums.

One thing about low-carb is that is can easily lead to dehydration, which of course can affect bacterial growth in the mouth, as well as the health of the entire body. Because I’ve experienced some injuries and deficiencies from doing a low-carb diet, I cannot personally recommend it. But, I do recommend at least being mindful of your carb and sugar intake, as well as your glycemic load and blood sugar levels.

I personally try to stay around 150-180 net carbs, per day. I get them mostly from whole grains, beans, low-carb fruits, non-starchy vegetables, nuts, and seeds. You’ll have to experiment to see what feels best for your body. Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with insulin resistance or diabetes, it’s a good idea to keep your blood sugar in check. Whether you do that by eating low-carb, low-glycemic, a plant-based diet, by addressing a sugar addiction, or using other means, it can help improve your periodontal condition. If you want to know more about how your blood sugar affects your oral health, check out this article from the CDC.

Choose High-Quality Animal Products

While plant-based diets are all-the-rage, these days, it’s really hard to properly support your tissues without consuming at least some animal products.

While I’ve never been “vegan”, I did try to eat mostly plants, for about a year, with the idea that it would reduce inflammation, help me lose weight, and reverse my insulin resistance. Unfortunately, this eating approach made my periodontal condition worse. So, I started eating 1 serving of meat (or eggs), per day, and one serving of dairy. I was still eating lots of plants, but instead of going nuts on bananas, popcorn, potatoes, and pasta, I started being more mindful of my carb intake and blood sugar levels. Fortunately, my gums improved with these changes.

The reason I’m emphasizing high-quality animal products, is that how the animals were raised really does matter to our overall health. What the animals consume is passed to us. Cows should be eating grass, not GMO Monsanto-sprayed government subsidized corn, for example. I believe that if the animals are relatively happy, healthy creatures, that’s passed onto us, as well. And the same goes if they are raised under miserable conditions. There are added hormones and antibiotics to consider, as well, which are not good for our health. So, the best choices for animal products are grass-fed beef and dairy, pasture-raised chickens and eggs, and wild-caught seafood.

Consider Your Collagen

If you want glowing skin, strong bones, and healthy gums, you need collagen. Collagen is essential to every tissue in the body.

It’s debatable as to whether consuming collagen supplements actually helps, but unless you have a bad reaction to them, like I do, they’re probably not going to hurt anything. Because of histamine issues, I have to get my collagen from whole, natural, fresh(er) sources, like chicken skin and salmon skin.

Eating a balanced, protein-rich diet with a variety of nutrient-dense whole foods can help stimulate your collagen production, considerably. Choose the most colorful produce and meats for the highest concentration of antioxidants. You might want to check out The Perricone Promise for more about how our diets affect our skin and tissue health.

Make sure to exercise and get your beauty sleep, as well.

There are many vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other vital nutrients that support your body’s collagen production, such as:

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Silica

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Zinc

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Copper

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Magnesium

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Keratin

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Vitamin C

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Hyaluronic acid

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Antioxidants

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Biotin

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Retinol

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Proline

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Glycine

Eat Plants to Tame the Inflammation

Animal products, while beneficial in moderation, cause inflammation. In contrast, many plants are anti-inflammatory. That’s why I eat meat, dairy, and eggs sparingly and I load up on anti-inflammatory plant foods. I try to make at least 2 of my 4 meals, per day, completely plant-based, to give my body some relief from the inflammation.

You’ll want to focus on organic, non-GMO plants that won’t spike your blood sugar. Of course, avoid any plants that you’re allergic to or otherwise get a bad reaction from.

For more information, you can check out the anti-inflammatory diet. The Flexitarian and Mediterranean diets are also worth looking into. And you don’t necessarily need to follow any one of those, but they can be helpful guidelines.

There are a plethora of plants that specifically soothe inflammation. A few of them are turmeric, ginger, and elderberry tea (from freshly brewed elderberries). Because of their high concentrations of anti-oxidants, most herbs and spices help tame inflammation. Fresh-pressed celery juice is also really great for calming inflammation. Adaptogens, like holy basil or ashwagandha, can be helpful, as well.

Mind Your Omega-3’s

Omega-3’s are essential to keeping inflammation down and most people don’t get enough of them, with the prevalence of grain-fed cows and chickens, cooking oils high in omega-9’s and omega-6’s, junk food, etc.

The most complete omega-3’s come from animals, such as wild-caught salmon and grass-fed cows. Plant-based sources are less optimal, because they have to be converted into DHA and EPA, but they include walnuts, flax seeds & chia seeds.

Replace Sugar with Xylitol

If you need a sweet treat, every now and then (like my sweet potato brownies), consider using xylitol, as a sugar substitute. It’s also called “birch sugar” because it originates from the birch tree. Xylitol looks and tastes like sugar and can be substituted 1:1, but it won’t spike your blood sugar, like other sweeteners will.

Xylitol is known to prevent tooth decay and can help improve the flora of your mouth. Chewing gum sweetened with xylitol can also help with saliva production, which is necessary, especially if you suffer from dry mouth.

Fair warning: xylitol can cause digestive distress and is toxic to animals. So, go easy on it and don’t feed it to your puppies and kitties.

Harmful Habits

Unfortunately, there are a number of lifestyle choices that make periodontal disease worse. It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect or never have fun, and some of these are worse than others. But, if you want to keep your teeth, here are some bad habits you might need to replace with healthier ones. Don’t worry, that’s the next section.

Tobacco

Smoking leads to more bacteria and plaque in the mouth and less blood flow to keep the bone and gums healthy.

It is directly linked to periodontal disease and tooth loss. If you smoke and you want to keep your teeth, find a way to quit.