The health and maintenance of your gums is essential to your overall oral health. Unhealthy gums and excessive bacteria in your mouth can lead to gum diseases like gingivitis, periodontitis or periodontal disease. These gum diseases can cause your gums to become inflamed and even begin to recede. Certain herbal remedies can help to re-grow your gums and restore or maintain gum health.
Bloodroot
Bloodroot may offer antiseptic properties that can prevent gum disease and keep your gums healthy, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Bloodroot's alkaloids may also help to kill bacteria in the mouth, which are responsible for gum disease. Specifically, bloodroot contains sanguinarine, which is a substance added to toothpastes and mouthwashes, notes the University of Michigan Health System. A double-blind clinical trial found that using a toothpaste made from bloodroot and also containing zinc helped to decrease gingivitis substantially better than the placebo over the course of six months.
Cranberry
Cranberry juice may help to prevent and treat gum disease, according to a test- tube study cited by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that cranberry juice's properties can prevent plaque and oral bacteria from colonizing and adhering to your teeth and gums.
Neem
Using a neem-containing mouthwash or chewing gum may help to kill the bacteria in the mouth that cause gum disease and dental cavities . A laboratory test-tube study conducted in 1999 in India found that neem has antimicrobial effects, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Another double-blind clinical trial found that using 1 gram of neem leaf extract twice daily decreased oral bacteria more than the placebo or using chlorhexidine gel, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
Herbal Combination Mouthwash
If you use a mouthwash containing certain herbal essential oils and extract tinctures, it may help to reduce gum inflammation and potentially treat gingivitis. You can use a mouthwash containing the essential oils of sage, peppermint, clove and caraway, the tinctures of myrrh and chamomile, as well as echinacea juice and menthol, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Another herbal mouthwash containing chamomile, ratania, sage, echinacea, mint and myrrh is used in Europe for gum health, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. A double-blind study of 89 individuals published in the Journal of Periodontology in 2003 found that using this herbal mouthwash eased gingivitis-related gum inflammation better than regular store-bought mouthwash. Mouthwashes using other combinations of herbal essential oils have also been studied in re-growth of gums and gum health. A 2008 review of 11 controlled clinical trials found that essential oil-based mouthwashes can fight gingivitis and dental plaque, the University of Pittsburgh notes. Myrrh, echinacea and chamomile in particular have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can treat gum disease, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
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