Gum recession is problem for many. Is it a problem for you? Maintain your beautiful smile naturally with a daily oral care regimen. First, we’ll start off with an explanation of what gum recession is and what steps you can take to prevent it – naturally.
What is Gum Recession?
Gum recession or the correct dentistry term gingival recession usually affects people 40 years of age and older, however younger people are also vulnerable to this acute condition. The gingiva is a soft tissue that covers and protects the root of the tooth. The tiny space between the tooth and the gingival tissue is lined by something called the sulcular epithelium, this connective and nervous tissue is extremely sensitive.
Gingival recession happens when the gums are pulled back from the teeth resulting in inflammation, sensitivity and root exposure. The gums in the oral cavity are attached to the bones in the head. There are at least fourteen major nerves in the oral cavity, receding gum tissue can expose some of these nerves resulting in painful sensations for people with this ailment.
Gum recession is very prevalent, according to the US National Library of Medicine, 88 percent of people aged 65 years and older and 50 percent of people 18 to 64 experience signs of recession.
Medical Treatments
Gum recession treated by dentists include gingival grafting, tissue regeneration and orthodontic therapy.
Causes of Gum Recession
Frequent and over brushing of the teeth inflames gum tissue. Exposing the oral mucosa the mucous membrane lining the inside of the mouth to foreign substances puts you at risk for future gum problems.
The Human Mouth is Not Hygienic
Treating the human mouth for gum recession is problematic at best due to the many viruses and bacteria that live in the oral cavity. The adult human mouth can contain up to 1,000 different types of bacteria. The better the diet and more hygienic the person the less bacteria, even clean oral cavities can still have up to 100,000 bacteria living on a single tooth’s surface. After reading this you will probably not want anyone kissing you in the near future unless they brush and rinse first.
When adults have to resort to dental intervention for acute cases of gum recession the recovery time is usually delayed because of oral bacteria. Proper oral care at all times is of paramount importance to avoid gum issues in the future.
An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure – old wives quote
Things to Avoid for Better Oral Health
- Refined sugar
- Smoking
- Excess brushing your teeth
- Hard bristle tooth brushes
- Acidic foods
- Fast food
- Sticky foods
- Sodas and fruit juices (artificial)
- Caffeine
These are just some of the items on the list that are recommended by dentists to avoid if you want to maintain optimum oral health.
Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide
After experiencing an oral dilemma last year that would have cost me thousands of dollars to fix, I began researching alternative methods to heal my tooth issues. After days of research I stumbled upon the benefits of hydrogen peroxide. I went to my local natural health store and purchased a bottle of 35 percent food grade hydrogen peroxide for around $30. I began by diluting the solution 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 11 parts of distilled water. I purchased a soft bristle tooth brush and dipped it in the solution to brush with and brushed gently 3 times per day.
In about 7 to 8 days the pain I previously experienced subsidized and in 2 weeks my tooth and gum ailment was much improved. Hydrogen peroxide works so well because it neutralizes and destroys bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and much more. The strong oxidizing content of H2O2 is more powerful than chlorine but has the benefit of being found in nature. Disease cannot survive in a high oxygen environment.
A word of caution, food grade hydrogen peroxide should be handled with gloves when diluting.
For more details consult a natural health care practitioner for this remedy. If you cannot get your hands on food grade hydrogen peroxide you can use the ordinary 3 percent solution from your local drug store diluted, just be sure to rinse your mouth well after using.
Himalayan Salt Mouth Rinse
The next best thing for treating gum recession is rinsing your mouth with a solution of Himalayan salt and distilled water. Himalayan salt contains 84 essential trace materials that are essential to human health. The body is 75 percent water but the blood, cells and tissues in the body are comprised of a salty solution. Himalayan salt has a pink colour and is a great natural way to alkalize the body and oral cavity. This natural salt rinse can be used in unison while brushing with food grade hydrogen peroxide.
Ionic Toothbrushes
In between dental appointments you can use an ionic toothbrush, this toothbrush is ideal for plaque removal and the prevention of periodontal disease. Ionic toothbrushes work on the principle of sending an electrical charge to the ion rod, this converts any light source into a negative charged ion.
The more negative ions in the blood stream and human body the better the cells function. You can purchase an ionic toothbrush for $49.95 or less.
Natural Neem Toothpaste
The neem plant is a tree native to Burma in India, it has been used for over 4,000 years yet it is not well known in the western world. The neem oil that is extracted from the plant has numerous medicinal uses. Neem is indispensable in eliminating bacteria, fungal infections and parasites. You can now purchase natural toothpaste and neem oil to use in your mouthwashes to maintain oral health, it also tastes great.
If you have existing gum issues, you can put the neem oil directly on your gums to soothe inflammation and redness.
In closing, the 4 methods detailed above are for maintenance and prevention of gum recession and gum disease. Natural remedies are an aid and not a replacement for a qualified Doctor of Dentistry.
