5 herbal remedies to prevent gum disease

Gum disease can be effectively prevented by use of herbal remedies like tulsi, neem and licorice.

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Gum disease is a common oral problem that not only affects aged people, but also children. Unhealthy eating habits, and poor oral hygiene increase the risk of acquiring gum disease despite brushing, flossing and regular use of mouthwash. Here are top 5 effective herbal remedies that might help you to keep gum disease at bay -

Neem

Use of neem twigs has been an age-old method (currently used in many parts of rural India) to brush teeth and an effective measure for maintaining better oral health, since the neem plant has amazing antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, that have been clinically proven to be effective against oral problems.

Tip: Boil a few neem leaves in water and rinse your mouth 3 4 times a day with this solution on a regular basis to prevent gum disease.

Licorice

Licorice root contains two essential compounds, licoricidin and licorisoflavin A, that inhibit microbial growth in the oral cavity and also combats bad breath.

Tip: Place a pinch of licorice powder on the affected tooth or brush your teeth regularly with this powder to keep gum disease at bay.

Tulsi

Tulsi leaves are well-known for their wide range of medicinal properties. Being a powerful natural antibiotic, tulsi plays a vital role in the prevention of gum disease. Tulsi leaves also possess antibacterial activity, which help in the prevention of dental plaque and bad breath.

Tip: Chew few tulsi leaves every day to prevent gum disease.

Myrrh (Guggul)

Guggul is an active ingredient present in many Ayurvedic medicines due to its therapeutic properties. It contains anti-inflammatory compounds that play a key role in inhibiting bacterial growth and plaque formation.

Tip: Add half a spoon of myrrh powder in a glass of water and use it as a mouthwash to rinse your mouth 2 3 times a day to treat and prevent gum disease.

Cloves

Clove is undoubtedly one of the best and the most effective natural remedies for dealing with gum disease. This spice contains a chemical compound known as eugenol, which acts as a powerful antiseptic and analgesic agent.

Tip: Apply clove oil on irritated gum tissue to get rid of pain and also prevent bacterial growth and oral problems.

Image Source: Getty Images

You may also like to read:

• How cloves can help with toothaches!
• Home remedies for all your oral health problems
• 7 kitchen ingredients to soothe an aching tooth

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References:

1. Williamson, J. S., & Wyandt, C. M. (1997). Herbal therapies: the facts and the fiction. Drug Topics, 141(15), 78-88.
2. Bellinger-Kawahara, Carolyn, Kirk Maples, Jacob Plattner, and Virginia Sanders. Compounds for the Treatment of Periodontal Disease. U.S. Patent Application 11/762,038, filed June 12, 2007.
3. Zelaya, L. M. (1994). U.S. Patent No. 5,376,374. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
4. Kumar, P., Ansari, S. H., & Ali, J. (2009). Herbal remedies for the treatment of periodontal disease-a patent review. Recent patents on drug delivery & formulation, 3(3), 221-228.