Healthy teeth and gums are something to smile about, but periodontal disease can wipe the grin right off your face. Periodontal diseases affect the structures that support your teeth, including your gums and jawbone. Tea tree oil has been proposed as a potential remedy for periodontal disease. Consult your dentist for more information.
Open Wide and Say "Ouch!"
Periodontal disease can be painful and bloody. It happens when bacteria infect the gums and bones around your teeth. This infection can affect a single tooth or all of them. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, plaque is a sticky, colorless coating that forms on your teeth. It contains bacteria that can cause inflammation in your gums and lead to redness, swelling and bleeding. Periodontal disease begins as gingivitis, which is treatable. If left untreated, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, a toxic inflammatory response that causes the tissues that support your teeth to break down and deteriorate.
A Tree That Fights Infection
Australians have been using tea tree oil for over a century in a wide variety of applications that take advantage of its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia plant and is sometimes referred to as "melaleuca oil." According to the January 2006 issue of "Clinical Microbiology Reviews," most bacteria are susceptible to tea tree oil, and its ability to kill off antibiotic-resistant bacteria has made it of special interest to those researching ways to kill stubborn pathogens like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
Tea Tree Oil and Gingivitis
Applying the anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil in the treatment of gingivitis has resulted in positive outcomes in a number of studies. In June 2004, the "Australian Dental Journal" published research on the effects of topically applied tea tree oil on plaque and gingivitis. The study found that a gel containing tea tree oil significantly reduced bleeding and gingival inflammation, but did not decrease plaque formation.
Considerations
Consult your dentist if you suspect you may have periodontal disease. Tea tree oil is an ingredient in some mouthwashes, but Mayo Clinic states that research regarding its effectiveness in this regard has delivered mixed results, and more studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of tea tree oil in the treatment of periodontal diseases.
References
- "Clinical Microbiology Reviews"; Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties; C.F. Carson, et al.; January 2006
- "Australian Dental Journal"; The Effects of a Tea Tree Oil-Containing Gel on Plaque and Chronic Gingivitis; Souloulis, et al.; June 2004
- Mayo Clinic; Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia [Maiden & Betche] Cheel); April 2011
- American Academy of Periodontology: Types of Gum Disease
Member Comments