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3 Simple Steps to
Fighting Gum Disease Naturally
By Judy Phillips
Remember how your parents
always told you to brush your teeth before you went to bed?
Well, for those of you that listened, I applaud you. I, however,
was none the wiser when I was younger, and frequently dodged the
before bedtime dental hygiene regimen my parents were so adamant
about.
Unfortunately, brushing
habits often develop in your younger years, and then turn into
habit as you grow older. It is a tough habit for most to break.
Typically, the breaking point occurs sometime around when your
dentist goes in for a routine cleaning, only to break the news
that you have the early stages of periodontal disease (gum
disease).
While gum disease can be
attributable to many things such as diabetes, stress, and
medications, the fact is that the majority of Americans who are
afflicted with gum disease have nothing more to blame than a
combination of poor dental hygiene, poor nutrition, and tobacco
use (if you are a smoker). Gum disease is no laughing matter
folks. It is a very serious and unnecessary risk to your health,
not to mention your smile and ability to chew solid food into
your twilight years.
The early stage of gum
disease is gingivitis, where the gums redden, swell, and bleed
easily, yet can be reversed with professional cleanings and
proper dental hygiene. However, if left untreated, gingivitis
can progress into periodontitis. Periodontitis is much more of a
threat, and with time, plaque can spread below the gum line,
creating a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and toxins.
These toxins produce a chronic inflammatory response that cause
the tissue and bone that support the teeth to be broken down and
destroyed. Gums will separate from the teeth, forming pockets
which can become infected by the already present bacteria.
Ultimately, if no action has been taken, the resulting bone loss
and infection will call for the tooth to be removed in the
afflicted area.
Sadly, gums cannot
regenerate themselves, and the bones that hold your beautiful
teeth in place will not reform. But, if caught soon enough
(before your teeth fall out of your head), gum disease can be
stopped dead in its tracks, pockets will close up, gums will
become toned and healthy, and the former threat of bone loss
will no longer exist. However, do not expect adequate
information from your dentist. Most dentists are improperly
informed about the natural treatments available to assist in
your dental recovery, and the majority of them will suggest
nothing more than traditional planar root scaling. Instead, I
would like to recommend a combination of the traditional planar
root scaling (assuming you have progressed past gingivitis), and
the following natural treatments. If followed closely, you can
be assured your mouth will be healthy once again.
Although planar root scaling
may not sound all that appealing to you, it is entirely
necessary. The accumulated plaque and calculus below the gum
line must be removed in order for your gums to find their way
back to health. Your gums cannot tighten up against something
that is covered with hardened plaque, which is a breeding ground
for bacteria. So, root scaling is a good thing right? Yes, it
is, but it will only be temporary if not combined with other
natural treatments. Root scaling is quite harsh on your teeth
and gums, and does nothing to address the already existing
pockets that will allow food, bacteria, and other debris to
begin accumulating below the gum line following your dental
visit.
To address this, I recommend
a three step approach:
SUPPLEMENT WITH CoQ10 100MG
OR MORE PER DAY
Doctors have documented that
people with periodontal disease have significantly low levels of
CoQ10 in the tissues of their gums. Researchers at Osaka
University Faculty of Dentistry in Japan gave eight patients
with moderately or severely inflamed gums 60 mg of CoQ10 a day
for eight weeks. The patients received no other therapy. The
results, according to clinicians: "CoQ10 was effective in
suppressing gingival inflammation."
In an additional study, Dr.
T. Matsumura and Dr. Karl Folkers performed a double blind trial
of CoQ10 versus regular periodontal treatments for advanced
periodontitis. 24 subjects suffering from severe periodontal
disease which had not responded to extensive flossing and
brushing were studied. 13 subjects received 50 mg of CoQ10,
while 11 received placebos. 9 of the 13 CoQ10 patients made
dramatic improvements. Only 3 of the 11 placebo recipients
displayed minor improvement. In 4 of the CoQ10 patients,
symptoms of periodontitis completely disappeared within 8 weeks.
"The therapeutic improvement with CoQ10 was better both by the
number of improved patients and the degree of improvement,"
reported the doctors.
CoQ10 is a miracle nutrient,
and you should be taking it for daily health maintenance, if not
for the health of your gums. While, studies show improvement
with even small dosages of less than 100mg of CoQ10, a
therapeutic dosage of 150mg while you are still showing symptoms
of periodontal disease is advised. After your gums have healed,
you can reduce the dosage down to around 50-100mg. The most
effective CoQ10 is in softgel form. Also, because CoQ10 is a fat
soluble nutrient, taking it with a good EFA supplement such as
flax oil or virgin coconut oil can improve uptake.
*Make sure you are
supplementing with a softgel form of CoQ10
USE A WATER PICK WITH DR.
SCHULZE'S "TOOTH & GUM FORMULA"
Exceptional brushing
technique goes without saying, but for those afflicted with gum
disease, it just isn’t enough. A high quality herbal formula by
Dr. Richard Schulze available here offers a powerful liquid
formulation of various herbs such as Bayberry root bark, Oak
Gall, Tea Tree oil, Echinacea root, Clove oil, and Cayenne
pepper. These botanicals serve to reduce inflammation, stop
bleeding gums, and tighten the surrounding gum tissue so as to
prevent plaque and debris from reaching below the gum line.
For the most effective
results, use a water pick. Place 4 to 6 full droppers of the
formula into a water pick reservoir along with warm water. Use
the strongest setting that you can tolerate. If done daily you
should notice gum bleeding halts within 1 week. While not as
effective as a water pick, you can also add 2 full droppers to 2
ounces of water and rinse your mouth thoroughly by swishing and
straining the solution through your teeth. This formula can also
be massaged directly, full strength, into the gums using a
cotton swab.
DITCH YOUR OLD TOOTHPASTE!
Traditional toothpaste
contains fluoride which has never been proven to fight cavities,
and whose mythological benefits have been driven into common
existence through the help of the ADA (much like amalgams). On
the contrary, fluoride is actually very poisonous, and a tube of
regular toothpaste contains enough fluoride to kill a small
child. I don’t want to delve too far into the controversy of
fluoride for now, as I will expand upon that issue at a later
time.
Instead, use a mixture of 5
parts baking soda to one part sea salt. Combine and thoroughly
mix the two ingredients in a mixing bowl or blender and store in
a small container for later use. When brushing, be sure to use a
very soft, wide bristle brush as you do not want to further
scratch your already inflamed gums. Wet the tip of your index
finger and place a small amount of the baking soda and salt
mixture on your gums. Take your toothbrush, and at an angle,
gently brush your teeth and gums, making sure to reach below the
gum line.
Judy Phillips is the founder
of
Jash Botanicals,
a manufacturer of physicians grade herbal extracts and
medicinals. A naturopath and herbalist with over 25 years of
experience, her passion for producing herbal formulas of
exceptional purity and strength grew from a dissatisfaction with
mainstream herbal products. She is an author of various natural
health topics, from detoxification to dietary modification, and
works to assist the expansion of knowledge to individuals in
search of natural treatments. JashBotanicals.com offers a wide
range of informative articles, including a
monthly newsletter
and a
natural health blog.
.
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