Gum disease, called periodontitis, is an infection of the gums that causes severe swelling around the teeth. Common signs are swollen and bleeding gums. It usually happens due to poor oral hygiene and is caused by bacteria.
Gum disease is common but can be easily prevented. There are medicines to treat it, but if ignored, it can harm the gums, teeth, and jawbone, possibly leading to tooth loss. To prevent it, brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly, and visit the dentist often.
The main cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene, leading to bacteria buildup in the mouth, forming plaque on the teeth. If not cleaned, bacteria can get under the gums, where brushing and flossing can’t reach, destroying gum tissue and causing tooth and bone loss.
What is Gum Disease (Periodontitis)?
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a serious infection that harms the soft tissue around your teeth. If not treated, it can destroy the bone that holds your teeth in place, causing your teeth to become loose or even fall out.
Gum disease is common but usually preventable. It’s often caused by poor oral hygiene. To prevent gum disease or improve your chances of successful treatment, brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly.
Ayurvedic view of Gum disease
According to Ayurveda, when your liver is sluggish, a body element called “pita” moves out of balance and gathers in your gums. This imbalance can cause your gums to bleed. Additionally, too much mucus or high acidity can lead to bacterial infections, which Ayurveda calls a “kapha” disorder. In Ayurveda, gum problems happen when your body’s fluids and blood get out of balance. This often occurs when digestion isn’t working right and toxins build up. These toxins mix with your body’s fluids and blood, leading to gum disease like pyorrhea.
Ayurveda focuses on fixing the root cause by improving digestion and making sure your body gets rid of harmful toxins regularly.
Type of Gum Disease
There are three main types of gum diseases:
1. Chronic Periodontitis: This affects mostly adults but can also happen to kids. Plaque builds up, causing slow damage to gums and bone. It can get better or worse over time, but if not treated, it can lead to tooth loss.
2. Aggressive Periodontitis: This usually happens during teenage years and can affect some people. It leads to fast damage to gums and bone, and if not treated, it can cause tooth loss.
3. Necrotizing Periodontal Disease: This type starts with tissue, ligaments, and bone in the gums dying because they don’t get enough blood. It causes severe infection and is more common in people with weak immune systems, like those with HIV, undergoing cancer treatment, or who are malnourished.
Gum Disease Symptoms
Healthy gums are firm and fit snugly around teeth. Their color can vary from light pink to dark pink or brown.
Symptoms of gum disease include:
1. Swollen or puffy gums
2. Bright red, dark red, or dark purple gums
3. Tender gums
4. Gums that bleed easily
5. Pink toothbrush bristles after brushing
6. Spitting blood when brushing or flossing
7. Persistent bad breath
8. Pus between teeth and gums
9. Loose teeth or tooth loss
10. Painful chewing
11. New spaces between teeth that look like black triangles
12. Receding gums, making teeth look longer
13. Changes in how teeth fit together when biting
Causes of Gum Disease
Gum disease, or periodontitis, usually starts with plaque, a sticky film made up of bacteria. Here’s how it progresses:
1. Plaque Formation: Plaque forms on your teeth when food starches and sugars mix with mouth bacteria. Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day removes plaque, but it quickly returns.
2. Tartar Formation: If plaque stays on your teeth, it can harden under your gumline into tartar. Tartar is tough to remove with brushing and flossing and needs professional cleaning. Plaque and tartar contain bacteria that can cause more damage the longer they stay on your teeth.
3. Gingivitis: Plaque can lead to gingivitis, the mildest gum disease form, causing irritation and swelling around your teeth’s base. Gingivitis can be reversed with professional treatment and good oral care if caught early.
4. Periodontitis: If gum irritation and swelling (inflammation) continue, it can develop into periodontitis. This causes deep pockets between your gums and teeth, which fill with plaque, tartar, and bacteria. These infections can lead to tissue and bone loss, and eventually, you might lose teeth. Ongoing inflammation can also strain your immune system, causing other health issues.
Risk Factors for Gum Disease
Things that can raise your risk of gum disease include:
1. Having gingivitis (early gum disease)
2. Not taking good care of your teeth and gums
3. Smoking or using tobacco
4. Hormonal changes (like during pregnancy or menopause)
5. Using recreational drugs (like marijuana or vaping)
6. Being overweight
7. Poor diet (especially low vitamin C)
8. Family history of gum disease
9. Some medicines that cause dry mouth or affect gums
10. Conditions that weaken the immune system (like leukemia, HIV/AIDS, cancer treatment)
11. Certain diseases (like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease)
Preventing Gum Disease
To prevent gum disease, start taking care of your mouth and teeth from a young age and keep doing it throughout your life.
Good Oral Care:
1. Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day (in the morning and before bed).
2. Floss once a day, ideally before brushing, to remove food and bacteria.
3. This routine keeps your teeth and gums clean and helps prevent gum disease.
Regular Dental Visits:
1. Visit your dentist for cleanings every 6 to 12 months.
2. If you have a higher risk for gum disease (due to dry mouth, certain medicines, or smoking), you might need more frequent cleanings.
Ayurvedic Tips for Better Gum Health
Brushing the Teeth (Danta Dhavana): Danta Dhavana involves brushing your teeth and gums using a toothbrush with soft bristles or chewing on twigs like Neem or Miswak. This should be done twice a day to remove plaque, prevent cavities, and keep your smile bright.
Tongue Scraping (Jihwa Nirlekhana): Using a metal or wooden tongue scraper, about twelve fingers long, helps maintain gum health. This practice removes bad breath, improves taste, and boosts digestive enzyme secretion.
Oral Rinse/Gargling (Gandusha & Kavala): These techniques involve holding or swishing medicated fluids in your mouth to prevent gum diseases. Gandusha means holding the fluid until it causes tears and nasal discharge, then spitting it out. Kavala involves swishing the fluid around and then spitting it out. Both help with bad breath, bleeding gums, tooth decay, dry throat, and cracked lips.
Chewing Betel (Tambula Sevana): Tambula, made from betel leaf, betel nut powder, camphor, cloves, wet quicklime, and nutmeg, is chewed after waking up, meals, bathing, or vomiting therapy. It freshens breath, brightens the face, cleans the mouth, aids digestion, and helps with voice issues.
Ayurvedic Medicine for Gum Care
Ayurveda uses natural herbs to keep gums healthy. Here are some commonly recommended herbs:
1. Miswak:
A traditional chewing stick that reduces plaque, fights gum disease bacteria, strengthens gums, and freshens breath.
2. Neem:
Known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps prevent gum diseases. Neem twigs have been used as toothbrushes in India.
3. Triphala:
A blend of three fruits (Amalaki, Bibhitaki, Haritaki) that strengthens gums, reduces inflammation, and supports oral hygiene.
4. Pomegranate:
Its extract can be used as a mouth rinse to combat gum disease bacteria. It also reduces plaque, inflammation, and gum bleeding.
5. Irimeda:
Known for its cardiovascular benefits, it also reduces gum inflammation and strengthens gums.
6. Babool:
Possesses antimicrobial properties that prevent gum bleeding, soothe gum inflammation, and strengthen teeth.
7. Clove
Clove is great for treating gum disease because it has eugenol, which reduces pain and kills germs.
8. Peppermint
Peppermint freshens breath, whitens teeth, and has a cool taste. It also kills bacteria and stops plaque from forming.
9. Licorice
Licorice, also called mulethi, has chemicals that stop bacteria from growing in your mouth, helping with bad breath from gum disease.
10. Neem
Neem has been used as a natural toothbrush for a long time. It’s a strong antibacterial that prevents tooth decay and gum disease by reducing plaque. It strengthens gums and keeps them healthy.
11. Calendula
Calendula is an anti-inflammatory herb that reduces gum swelling and fights bacterial infections, making it good for treating gum disease.
These herbs are often included in Ayurvedic toothpaste, like Himalaya Ayurveda Gum Care Toothpaste, for effective gum and tooth care.
For best results, consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for proper usage and dosage of these herbs.
Ayurvedic treatment of periodontal disease
Gum disease starts when sticky stuff called plaque builds up on your teeth. If you don’t clean it off, it can make your gums red, tender, and bleed when you brush.
Some health problems and certain medicines can make plaque build up faster. Cleaning your teeth every day helps get rid of this plaque. If you don’t, it can turn into a hard substance called tartar that sticks to your gums and traps germs.
The main reason for gum disease is bacteria on your teeth. If you don’t brush well, it forms plaque, a sticky white stuff. Bacteria in plaque multiply fast and make toxins that irritate your gums, making them swell and red. If you don’t treat it, gum disease can destroy the tissue that holds your gums and teeth together. This creates pockets where bacteria collect, and it can damage the bone around your teeth. Once it gets this bad, it’s hard to fix.Here are some simple tips for treating gum problems using natural ingredients:
1. Salt Water Rinse: Mix a pinch of salt in warm water and rinse your mouth with it twice a day to improve gum circulation and reduce swelling.
2. Lemon Juice Massage: Squeeze half a lemon, add a pinch of rock salt, and massage it onto your teeth and gums. Leave it for a few minutes and then rinse with warm water.
3. Triphala Water Gargle: Mix a teaspoon of Triphala powder in warm water and gargle with it.
4. Coconut Oil Massage: Massage your gums with coconut oil every morning without rinsing.
5. Aloe Vera Gel: Apply aloe vera gel on your gums or drink aloe juice regularly to ease gum problems.
6. Herbal Mouthwash: Boil henna leaves in water, strain, and cool. Use this solution as a mouthwash for gum bleeding.
7. Chew Guava or Jambul Leaves: Chewing the leaves of guava or jambul trees can strengthen gums.
8. Neem Twig Brushing: Use neem twigs instead of a toothbrush as they have antibacterial properties, which can help with gum problems.
9. Khadira Bark: Hold a small slice of khadira bark in your mouth to stop gum bleeding.
10. Raw Onions: Chew raw onions to help with gum bleeding and strengthen tissues.
11. Oil Pulling: Swish a tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes each day. This can help remove bacteria.
12. Turmeric Paste: Make a paste with turmeric powder and water. Put it on your gums with a cotton swab. Turmeric has stuff in it that fights swelling and kills bad germs.
13. Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix hydrogen peroxide with water and rinse your mouth a few times a day. It can kill the germs that cause gum disease.
14. Tea Tree Oil: Mix a teaspoon of tea tree oil with warm water and rinse your mouth. This oil fights germs and swelling. You can also put it directly on your gums.
15. Aloe Vera Mouth Rinse: Mix a teaspoon of aloe vera gel with warm water and rinse your mouth. Aloe vera fights swelling and germs.
16. Vitamin C: Eat foods with lots of vitamin C, like oranges. Vitamin C helps your gums heal and stay strong.
17. Sage Mouthwash: Make a mouthwash with dried sage leaves and water. Swish it around in your mouth for a few minutes each day. Sage helps fight swelling.
Diet and Lifestyle Tips for Gum Diseases
1. Eat more fiber-rich foods, sweet citrus fruits, and green leafy vegetables.
2. Gargle with water mixed with alum.
3. Rinse your mouth after every meal.
4. Eat foods high in vitamins (especially vitamin C) and minerals.
5. Avoid snacking between meals and reduce carbs.
6. Stay away from pungent and salty foods and drinks.Brush regularly with a soft toothbrush and replace it every 3-4 months.
7. Massage your gums to improve circulation and strengthen them.
8. Quit smoking to reduce gum disease.
9. Rinse your mouth well after eating or drinking.
10. Consider using neem or banyan tree twigs to brush your teeth.
Diabetes and Gum Disease
If you have diabetes or someone in your family does, you probably know about the problems it can cause. Diabetes doesn’t just affect your blood sugar; it can also harm your whole body, including your mouth. When your sugar levels aren’t controlled, your immune system gets weaker, making it easier for infections to happen. One common infection is gum disease, which can damage the gums supporting your teeth and make you lose them.
Connection between Diabetes and Gum Disease
Studies show that diabetes raises the risk of gum disease. This might be because diabetes makes it easier for infections to happen. Gum disease could also make it harder for people with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes affects the body in other ways too. It can make blood vessels thicker, which makes it harder for nutrients to reach different parts of the body, including the mouth. This makes it harder for the body to fight infections. Since gum disease is caused by bacteria, people with uncontrolled diabetes might have gum problems more often and more severely.
Taking Care of Your Mouth with Diabetes
People with diabetes need to take extra care of their teeth and gums to avoid problems. Here are some tips:
1. Keep an eye on your blood sugar levels and follow your doctor’s advice.
2. Brush your teeth after meals to get rid of food bits stuck between your teeth and gums.
3. Floss every day to remove food bits and plaque that your toothbrush can’t reach.
4. Try oil pulling, a technique using natural oil, to remove toxins from your mouth.
5. Quit smoking since it makes diabetes and gum disease worse.
Watch out for signs of gum disease like swollen gums, bleeding, bad breath, or pain while chewing. If you notice any of these, talk to your diabetes doctor.
If you’re interested in natural ways to control your blood sugar or improve your oral health, you can consult the doctors at the Diabetes Reversal Clinic. They offer personalized treatments based on Ayurvedic remedies, diet, and yoga to help manage diabetes and prevent complications. Over time, their treatment can reduce the need for insulin and improve your quality of life.
In conclusion, Ayurvedic medicine offers a holistic approach to addressing gum disease, known as periodontitis. Through a combination of natural remedies, personalized dietary adjustments, and targeted lifestyle modifications, Ayurvedic practitioners aim to not only treat the symptoms but also address the root causes of periodontitis. By harnessing the principles of Ayurveda, individuals can potentially experience relief from gum disease symptoms, improved oral health, and a better overall quality of life. However, it’s essential to consult with qualified Ayurvedic practitioners to receive customized treatment plans tailored to individual needs and health conditions.
Reference
https://easyayurveds.com/ayurvedic-medicine-for-diarrhea/Medicinal Plants for skin Burns
Medicinal Plants for Hair Health
30 Medicinal Herbs For your Home
50 Medicinal Plants for Inflammation
50 Medicinal Plants Used as Spices In Nepal
Medicinal Plants for Penis Size Enlargement
Medicinal Plants for Skin diseases
Medicinal Plants for High Blood Pressure
Medicinal Plants For Diabetes (High Blood Sugar)
MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS LISTS OF NEPAL
Medicinal Plants Of Nepal ! Genetics, Classification, Preservation, and Applications
100 Rare Medicinal Plants of Karnali Nepal! Impossible to Find Other place.
Top 25 Medicinal Plants For Boosting Memory and Treating Alzheimer
Top 15 Expensive Medicinal Plants of Nepal! Numerous Among Them Are Uncommon Globally
Shashwot Khadka Songs Lyrics and Chords
Samir Shrestha’s Top Songs Lyrics And Chords
Nepali Song Lyrics And Chords of Prabesh Kumar Shreshta
All Songs Lyrics Of Wangden Sherpa
Top 10 Ankita Pun Songs with Lyrics and Chords
Strum Along: Top 24 Sushant KC Songs with Lyrics and Chords
Famous Nepali Poems of Sarita Tiwari सरिता तिवारीका कबिताहरु
Famous Nepali Poems Of Man Prasad Subba मन प्रसाद सुब्बाका कबिताहरु
Top Poems Of Dinesh Adhikari दिनेश अधिकारीका कबिताहरु
Best Poems Of Prakash Sayemi प्रकाश सायमीका कबिताहरु
Famous 10 Poem Of Siddhicharan Shrestha
Best Nepali Poem OF SaruBhakta सरुभक्तका कबिताहरु
100 Nepali Famous Haiku Poem In Nepali
Arjun Parajuli ka Nepali Kabitaharu
Some Nepali Poem Of Shekhar Dhungel शेखर ढुङ्गेलका कबिताहरु
Some Poem Of Motiram Bhatta मोतिराम भट्टका केही कबिताहरु
Some Poem Of Lekhanath Paudel लेखनाथ पौडेलका केही कबिताहरु
25 Famous Poem Of Gopal Prasaad Rimal गोपाल प्रशाद रिमालका केही कबिताहरु
Some poem of Kali Prasad Rijal काली प्रसाद् रिजालका केही कबिताहरु
Some Famous Poem Of Bhinidhi Tiwari भिमनिधी तिवारीका केही कबिताहरु
Top Poem Of Madhabh Prashad Ghimire राष्ट्रकबी माधव प्रशाद घिमिरेका कबिताहरु
10 Famous Nepali Poem Of Mahakabi Laxmi Prashad Devkota
Exploring the Literary Legacy: Bhanubhakta Acharya and His Top Ten Poems In nepali
11 types of poetry with Beautiful Short Nepali Poem
Ten Nepali Poems with English Translations for Poetry Enthusiasts Worldwide
The history of Nepali Poem And famous poets of Nepal
