Will That Plant Cure Your Gum Disease?

Before industrialization, before Crest and Colgate, humans used what they could find in their surroundings to treat ailments. These natural remedies are still used in certain parts of the world. We in the developed countries have discovered some of these plants, herbs, and foods for our own uses as “natural” alternatives to manufactured products.

I’m going to review a sampling of these as they relate to the mouth. Keep in mind, though. that all of these items have multiple health effects. For example, the extract and essential oils from juniper berries has been used to treat gastrointestinal problems and diabetes.  

Citrus Fruits

Did you know that an estimated 2 million sailors died of scurvy between the 16th and 18th centuries? Their gums, nose, and mouth bled at the slightest cause. Their teeth became loose and often fell out. James Lind, a British surgeon, finally unlocked the mystery. Scurvy is the result of a lack of dietary vitamin C. Once the Royal Navy began stocking citrus fruits on its ships (hence the nickname “Limey”), the problem was solved.

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is not only found in oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, but also in a variety of other foods such as berries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, peppers, potatoes, spinach, and tomatoes. It takes at least one month of vitamin C deficiency for symptoms to occur. Initially weakness, fatigue, gum disease, skin ulcers, and hair changes occur. This dramatically worsens to poor wound healing, emaciation, infection, and eventual death.

While rare, scurvy still happens today, often in people with unusual eating habits, mental disorders, alcoholism, or older adults living alone.

Neem

The neem tree is found in abundance in India, Pakistan, and Nepal. Its leaves have antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects. Neem has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries to treat ailments ranging from diabetes to dandruff.

In the mouth, neem kills bacteria and improves bad breath. Its leaves also reduce plaque build-up on teeth and gums.   

Neem can be found in various forms, as teas, oils, powders, capsules. It’s even available as a spray for control of plant pests.

Juniper

 The juniper is an evergreen shrub that commonly grows throughout the world. The plant produces small blue-grey berries that have been used for cooking and medicinal purposes for millennia. Besides being high in vitamin C, the berries are known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

It is available commercially as essential oils, sprays, or berries. There’s toothpaste that contains juniper extract, promising to protect against bacteria and plaque formation. The oil can be used in mouthwashes. 

Highly versatile, juniper oil is often used in the manufacturer of soaps and cosmetics. It’s also called upon to combat bloating and flatulence.

Frankincense

The Bible describes the gift of the three Magi to Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold has been traditionally used to restore teeth and continues to be occasionally used. But did you know that frankincense also possesses therapeutic effects? 

A resin, frankincense is extracted from the dried sap of Boswellia trees. It has strong antibacterial properties and has been used for centuries to prevent and treat oral infections. Today it is sold on Amazon (where else?) in the form of essential oils or nuggets similar in appearance to dried yellow raisins. The oils claim to relieve pain when rubbed onto the skin and both forms are used for aromatherapy.

Tea Tree Oil

Derived from the leaves of the Australian tea tree, this oil is also known as melaleuca oil. It’s believed to be antibacterial and antifungal. Tea tree oil has been used to treat a variety of skin ailments, including acne, nail fungus, and lice.  

In one small study evaluating tea tree oil versus chlorhexidine (prescribed by dentists frequently after a surgical procedure such as wisdom teeth removal or gum surgery) mouthwashes, the tea tree oil mouthwash was found to be more effective against gingivitis. It also had the added benefit of not staining the teeth or altering taste perception.  

Tea tree oil is available commercially as an oil, soap, or lotion. It should never be swallowed. 

Eucalyptus Oil

Likewise native to Australia, eucalyptus oil is derived from certain species of eucalyptus trees. This oil has traditionally been used to relieve pain and inflammation. It also possesses antibacterial and antifungal capabilities.

Along with thymol and menthol, eucalyptol, or eucalyptus oil, was part of the original Listerine recipe. And it’s still marketed today. As with any mouthwash, it should never be swallowed.

Eucalyptus oil has also been used as a rat repellent. When sprayed on food, one study showed rats avoiding such food.

Is antibacterial always good?

The mouth, as well as the gut, contains a unique microbiome consisting of beneficial and harmful microorganisms. These antibacterial plants and herbs have no way of differentiating between the two. In the absence of infection, by killing off the bacteria, we’re also destroying the good ones.

Arnica

Arnica is a herb belonging to the sunflower family. It, too, has been used for centuries to treat muscle and joint pain, arthritis, and inflammation. In the mouth, arnica can be taken prior to a surgical procedure to reduce bruising and postoperative pain.

It’s widely available in a low-dose gel or pill form. Be careful though. Pure arnica is toxic and can be fatal; in fact, the FDA classifies arnica as an unsafe herb. And because arnica inhibits platelets that assist with clot formation, it should never be used by anyone taking anti-coagulants.

SOME WORDS OF CAUTION:

Although many of these products have been used for centuries, solid and reproducible scientific research has not been conducted for most of these therapeutic claims. That’s not to say the products are ineffective, only that the promise to treat a specific condition has not been rigorously tested. 

With medications such as a pill, you know exactly how much you’re getting. Similarly, when you use toothpaste, the amount that fits onto your brush head will not be harmful. But if you eat the entire tube of toothpaste, you’ll likely end up in the emergency room. With any “natural” product, there may be no marked or recommended dosages, so it becomes confusing as to exact and ideal utilization.  

There may also be interactions between this natural ingredient and the medications you’re taking. Or physical conditions, for example, pregnancy, that contraindicate the use of certain products. Research this thoroughly. In addition, please consult with your doctor before trying any natural products.