Periodontitis Treatments You Can Do at Home
Gum disease affects more than half of all Americans over 30 years old. Even with a daily oral hygiene routine in place, gum disease, also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis, can find its way into your busy lives. Periodontal disease is the result of advanced gingivitis, which is caused by a buildup of bacteria. Once your gums become irritated and infected by the bacteria, periodontal disease can cause pockets to form as the gums pull away from your teeth.
Don't worry; this does not mean that you have to live with bleeding, swollen, irritated gums forever! Although there are some invasive dental procedures and treatments specific to gum disease available, we will focus on alternative, natural remedies that you can implement at home in your daily routines to improve your oral health and maybe even reverse the symptoms of periodontal disease. If you are missing teeth and require dental implants or tooth replacements of any kind, your dentist needs to make sure your gums are healthy and robust enough to handle it.
1. Special Toothpaste for Receding Gums
There is a variety of toothpaste that can help reverse periodontal disease and improve the health of receding gums. Changing to a more natural toothpaste is one of the best ways to improve your oral hygiene routine. There are a variety of options available, each with different ingredients correctly used to reduce the bacteria in your mouth. Many of these options will often include essential oils in their parts.
Tea Tree Oil is one of the most common ingredients, as it is very well known for its antiseptic properties. Propolis and myrrh are also popular ingredients as they help clean your teeth and gums of film and bacteria. Finally, you will see an ingredient called xylitol in many of these natural kinds of toothpaste, as it is excellent at ridding and preventing plaque buildup. These companies have not forgotten your taste buds either, as you will be able to find natural flavors from spearmint to pomegranate, all of which will benefit your oral health.
2. Reverse Gum Disease with Coconut Oil Pulling
If you have gingivitis, you know how painful and how expensive it can be to get professional treatment, especially from one of the best dentists in Beverly Hills. One effective method for improving your gum disease and reversing periodontitis is oil pulling. Many individuals have implemented coconut oil into their daily regimen. Thanks to its mild, sweet flavor, coconut oil is preferred as a natural mouthwash over other oils such as sunflower or sesame oil. Another great reason to use coconut oil is that you can warm it into a liquid that is perfect for pulling the dirt, food particles, toxins, and other bacteria out of your mouth and ultimately improving the symptoms you experience from periodontitis.
Oil pulling is simple to do. Using about a tablespoon of liquid coconut oil, pull the oil through your teeth and swish it for about 15 minutes, then spit it out into the sink. You do not want to swallow the oil when you are finished, as it is now full of all the toxic bacteria and filth that was in your mouth. You should use this method at least once per day, and over a short time, you will notice healthier gums, less bleeding, and maybe even reverse receding.
3. Foods to Eat and Vitamins to Take
As with all aspects of our health, what we eat, and what nutrients and vitamins we take in are important factors in determining the progression of our health. By eating foods that is high in antioxidants, beta-carotene, and Omega-3 fats, studies show that you can improve your periodontal healing. It is also essential to get plenty of vitamin C, vitamin E, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Whole foods are always better sources of vitamins and nutrients, so think things like cranberries, kiwis, raisins, and even onions as high foods for oral health, while cheese, sesame seeds, and celery are all great snacks as well! One final piece to the puzzle is to drink plenty of water. One of the top ways to fight bacteria in your mouth is to keep it from becoming dry, allowing saliva to do its part in naturally protecting your mouth. Occasionally rinsing with water is also beneficial in removing grime and preventing buildup.If you suffer from periodontal disease of any kind, you should always consult your dentist before engaging in any at-home remedies. For more information about reversing periodontal disease, please contact us.
