Gum Disease

(Periodontal Disease)
(Periodontitis)

Definition

Any abnormality, inflammatory or degenerative, of the tissue around a tooth. (Periodontal means "located around a tooth") The term refers to any disorder of the gums or other supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontitis is the inflammation or degeneration, or both, of the dental periosteum, alveolar bone, cementum, and adjacent gingiva. Suppuration ususally occurs, supporting bone is resorbed, teeth become loose, and recession of gingivae occurs. Usually follows chronic gingivitis, Vincent's infection, or poor dental hygiene.
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Causes

Gingivitis is considered to be an early stage of periodontal disease caused by sticky deposits of bacteria, mucus, and food particles called placque. Some researchers believe this placque causes the gum to become infected and swollen, and bleed. As the gum swells, it forms a pocket between the teeth, causing a trap for more plaque. The gum becomes red, soft, and shiny. Other possible causes of gingivitis include breathing through the mouth, badly fitting fillings irritating surrounding gum tissue, and a diet consisting of too many soft foods that rob the teeth and gums of much needed exercise.

Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a condition called pyorrhea (periodontitis). Pyorrhea is an advanced stage of periodontal disease and is often related to a deficiency of vitamin C, bioflavonoids, calcium, folic acid, or niacin. The infection of pyorrhea causes halitosis (bad breath), with painful and bleeding gums, slowly eating away the jaw bone. Abscesses are common. Severe cases will require surgery to remove the infected tissue from the gum and reshape the bone.

Causes of pyorrhea include: poor nutrition, improper brushing, wrong foods, sugar, chronic illness, glandular disorders, blood disease, smoking, drugs, and excessive alcohol.
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Nutrients

Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg. Vitamin C plus bioflavonoids, 4,000-10,000 mg. per day, promotes healing, especially if gums are bleeding. Calcium, 1,500 mg. per day, helps prevent bone loss around the gums. Magnesium, 750 mg. per day (take chelate form). Vitamin A, 100,000 IU in divided doses per day, is needed for healing of the gum tissue. Vitamin E, 400 IU per day and increase to 1,000 IU, is needed for healing of the gum tissue (open a capsule and rub on the gums). Proteolytic enzymes, 2 tablets between meals and at bedtime, helps break down food particles. Vitamin B complex, 50 mg. with meals, for digestion. Folic acid, 100 mg. with meals. Niacin, 100 mg. with meals. Zinc, 50-80 mg. per day, is needed to prevent infection and for healing.
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Herbs

Alum, wild, root
Barberry
Bayberry
Bistort
Bennet
Blackberry
Bugleweed
Clove, oil
Comfrey
Cranberry
Cranebill, spotted
Currant, black
Cypress
Dogwood
Echinacea
Five-finger grass
Goldenseal
Horseradish
Lavender
Lobelia
Myrrh
Naked-flowered tick-trefoil
Oak, white, bark
Oregon grape, wild
Raspberry, red, leaf
Rose hip
Sage
Sea kale
Sesame seeds
Vervain
Watercress
Willow
Witch Hazel
Yellow root

Recommendations

See the dentist! Brush the teeth with goldenseal herb powder every day for at least a month. After each month change brands of toothpaste, some brands may irritate the gums. Change toothbrushes every month, bacteria live on the toothbrush. Use dental floss after each meal. Use a very soft toothbrush and be sure to brush the gums and tongue.
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Cautions

Diabetes and several kinds of blood disorders put the sufferer at high risk for developing gum disease.

Rubbing clove oil or using ice on the tooth will help until the dentist can be reached.

A varied diet of fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, meat, and whole grain bread will provide the teeth and gums with needed exercise and supply the body with the vitamins and minerals that are essential for dental health.

Cherokees chewed the root of the naked-flowered tick-trefoil for inflammation of the mouth, sore bleeding gums, periodontal diseases with pus discharge.
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Bibliography

Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

The Nature Doctor, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; Keats Publishing, Inc., 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991

Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

The Rodale Herb Book, edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, PA, 18049., 1974

Earl Mindell's Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., Simon & Schuster/Fireside, Rockefeller Center 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020

The Magic of Herbs, by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England. (Out of print)

The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Garden City Park, NY