Natural treatments for periodontal disease
Natural treatments for periodontal disease, which begins with gum inflammation and can lead to severe dental issues, are an area of growing interest. Periodontal disease affects a significant portion of the population, particularly those over sixty-five and individuals with diabetes or poor dental hygiene. While conventional treatments often involve regular dental care and possibly surgical interventions, several natural remedies have shown promise in preliminary studies.
Some proposed treatments include herbal mouthwashes containing ingredients like chamomile, echinacea, and myrrh, which have been found to reduce gingival inflammation. Other options include supplements such as lycopene and oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which may improve gum health and decrease plaque formation. Additionally, products containing tea tree oil and propolis extract have shown potential benefits.
However, it's important to note that while some natural remedies, like xylitol and certain vitamins, may help maintain gum health, others lack substantial scientific support. As research continues, various methods such as oil-pulling, saltwater rinses, and herbal blends are being explored for their effectiveness in managing periodontal disease. Overall, those interested in natural treatments should approach them with an understanding of the current evidence and in conjunction with traditional dental care practices.
Natural treatments for periodontal disease
DEFINITION: Treatment of gum inflammation that can progress to pockets of infection, bone loss, and loosening of the teeth.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: None
- OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Beta-glucan, bloodroot, calcium, caraway, coenzyme Q10, cranberry juice, essential oil mouthwash, eucalyptus, folate mouthwash, gamma-linolenic acid, green tea chew candy, herbal mouthwash containing chamomile, echinacea, hops, myrrh, mint, sage, and ratania, honey leather, lycopene, magnesium, mangosteen, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, Macleaya cordata (plume poppy) and Prunella vulgaris, propolis, sea cucumber, tea tree oil, vitamin B12, vitamin C, witch hazel, xylitol, zinc
Introduction
Periodontal disease begins with gum inflammation and progresses to pockets of infection, bone loss, and loosening of the teeth. It is present in up to 90 percent of the global population. Around 60 percent of people older than sixty-five have periodontal disease. Other risk factors include diabetes and poor dental hygiene.
Conventional prevention and treatment include regular flossing, using mouthwash that contains extracts of the herb thyme (such as thymol, which is found in Listerine), and using special tooth-brushing appliances. Special deep-cleaning techniques and even surgery may be necessary if the condition advances.
Proposed Natural Treatments
According to one small, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the supplement lycopene, taken at a dose of 8 milligrams (mg) per day, may help treat periodontal disease, whether taken alone or used to augment the effectiveness of standard treatment. A double-blind study of eighty-nine people tested a European herbal mouthwash (used with a special gum irrigator) containing chamomile, echinacea, myrrh, mint, sage, and ratania. The herbal preparation proved more effective than a conventional mouthwash at reducing gingival inflammation.
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A fourteen-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of forty people evaluated the potential benefits of a chewing gum product containing five mg of OPCs from pine bark. The use of the OPC gum resulted in significant improvements in gum health and reductions in plaque formation; no similar benefits were seen in the placebo group.
A double-blind study of thirty people found weak evidence that the use of borage oil (a source of gamma-linolenic acid) at a dose of 3,000 mg daily may reduce gingival inflammation. The study also examined fish oil at a dose of 3,000 mg daily or combined fish oil and borage oil at a dose of 1,500 mg each but failed to find significant benefits with these treatments compared with placebo.
Other natural dental products that have shown promise in small double-blind studies include a toothpaste containing Macleaya cordata (plume poppy) and Prunella vulgaris (also known as heal-all or self-heal), a chew candy containing green tea, an irrigation fluid containing propolis extract, a toothpaste containing sea cucumber, and a gel containing tea tree oil.
Preliminary studies suggest that folate mouthwash may help in periodontal disease. Oral folate supplementation does not appear to be especially effective. However, one small double-blind study found potential benefit with a mixed vitamin-B complex supplement (containing 50 mg of each of thiamin, riboflavin, niacinamide, pantothenate, and pyridoxine; 50 micrograms [mcg] each of biotin and vitamin B12; and 400 mcg of folate).
One test-tube study suggests that cranberry juice might be useful for treating or preventing gum disease. However, there is one problem to work out before cranberry could be practical for this purpose: the sweeteners added to cranberry juice are not good for the teeth, but without them, cranberry juice is very bitter.
The supplement coenzyme Q10 is sometimes claimed to be an effective treatment for periodontal disease. However, the studies on which this idea is based are too flawed to be taken as meaningful.
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar that appears to help suppress the development of cavities when used in gum, candy, or toothpaste. Some evidence suggests that it may help prevent gum disease by reducing the amount of bacteria and acid in the mouth, increasing salivation, and limiting inflammation.
A thorough review of eleven randomized-controlled trials found that using mouth rinses containing essential oils is effective against gingivitis and dental plaque formation when combined with regular oral hygiene. In one double-blind study, chewing gum containing eucalyptus extract was more beneficial for moderate gingivitis than a placebo gum.
One study suggests that chewing honey leather can reduce inflammation of the gums. A special extract of the hops, called hops bract polyphenols, has shown some promise for preventing or treating periodontal disease. A study failed to find that an herbal mouthwash containing the herb mangosteen significantly improved gum health. Other treatments that are sometimes proposed for periodontal disease but lack meaningful scientific support include beta-glucan, bioflavonoids, bloodroot, calcium, caraway, magnesium, vitamin C, witch hazel, and zinc.
As the twenty-first century progressed, more suggestions for the natural treatment of periodontal disease were explored. These included oil-pulling with coconut oil, a saltwater rinse, peppermint oil, and aloe vera. Several studies published in the mid to late-2010s found positive results for various natural treatments, including omega-3 fatty acids, topical turmeric gel, tea tree oil, neem oil, and an herbal blend called Septilin. A 2022 review of existing literature concerning the use of tea tree oil in periodontal disease found positive results overall. However, reviews of oil-pulling methods in the 2020s found no positive impact.
Bibliography
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