The first signs of gum trouble include bleeding when you brush your teeth or gums that appear a deeper red than normal and slightly swollen. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, can occur if bacteria in your mouth collect along the gum line, irritating the tissue and eventually causing the gums to pull away from the teeth. Neem, a concentrated extract from the Azadirachta indica tree, may be beneficial in helping prevent gum disease, but it can’t take the place of professional dental advice and treatment.
About Neem
Native to Sri Lanka and India, the bark, blossoms and leaves of the neem tree have a long history of medicinal use, especially in East Indian healing. The “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine” reports that neem extract is antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiviral, in addition to being antiseptic. Folk uses of neem include the treatment of jock itch, ringworm, acne, shingles and malaria. Clinical studies confirming these properties are lacking, however.
Benefits
According to the “Gale Encyclopedia,” neem extract is potentially beneficial for overall oral health, including the prevention of gum disease. The results of a clinical study, published in the August 2004 issue of the “International Dental Journal,” agree. Scientific researchers in India tested a gel containing neem and another gel thought to be antibacterial on the gums of 48 human subjects for six weeks. At the end of the study, researchers concluded that the subjects using the neem gel experienced a significant reduction in plaque and their gums appeared healthier.
Method
Neem extract is available in mouthwashes and in herbal-type toothpastes. You may also purchase neem extract and put a drop on your toothbrush before using your regular toothpaste to brush your teeth. If you have access to a neem tree, you can follow the East Indian custom of cutting off a piece of a thin twig and chewing the end until soft, then using that as a makeshift toothbrush to brush your teeth.
Considerations
Although neem extract shows promise in the fight against gum disease, if you already have tissue damage from plaque and tartar deposits beneath the gum line, your dentist may want to remove the deposits. Untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increase your risk of developing other serious medical disorders, including stroke and heart attack.
References
- NYU Langone Medical Center: Neem, August 2011
- “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine”; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- “International Dental Journal”; The Effect of Two Different Dental Gels and a Mouthwash on Plaque and Gingival Scores: A Six-Week Clinical Study
- Health911: Gingivitis/Periodontal Disease
