Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGum Disease CausesNeemTea Tree OilCranberryVitamin COil PullingDietLifestyle
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Gum Disease Causes
Neem
Tea Tree Oil
Cranberry
Vitamin C
Oil Pulling
Diet
Lifestyle
Neem, tea tree oil, and cranberry are a few remedies that may help you improve your gum health naturally.
If you try them, they should be added to an oral hygiene routine that also includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing often, and visiting your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and check-ups.
This article reviews the causes of gum disease and discusses some of the natural remedies and lifestyle strategies that can help keep your gums healthy, according to some studies.
Keep in mind that these are not replacements for standard oral care. They also require consistent use; no remedy can strengthen your gums overnight.
Caiaimage / Getty Images
Causes of Gum Disease
In your mouth, bacteria are constantly forminga sticky substance called plaqueon your teeth. Brushing andflossingcan help you get rid of plaque, but the substance can also harden and, in turn, form another substance called tartar.
When left untreated, gingivitis can progress toperiodontitis(inflammation around the teeth). Periodontitis can cause tooth loss and has been linked to heart disease in a number of studies.
Neem extract from an evergreen tree native to India has been found to possess antibacterial properties. Research on neem and gum health includes a small study published in theJournal of Traditional and Complementary Medicinein 2014.
For this study, 105 children (ages 12 to 15) used one of the following mouthwashes, twice a day for three weeks:
Results suggested that all three types of mouthwash were effective in reducing plaque and inhibiting gingivitis. However, more studies are needed to confirm the benefits of neem and mango extract mouthwashes on oral health.
The Health Benefits of Neem
Tea tree oilmay aid in the treatment of gingivitis, according to a 2022 review of existing literature. The researchers concluded that tea tree oil is superior to CHX in reducing inflamed gums, while CHX was more effective at inhibiting plaque formation.
If you’re thinking of using tea tree oil for gum health, choose a toothpaste that contains this essential oil as an ingredient. Ingesting undiluted tea tree oil (or using homemade tea tree oil tooth remedies) can be toxic.
Uses and Benefits of Tea Tree Oil
In addition, the researchers noted that the drink did not promote dental cavities.
A Guide to Cranberries' Nutrients and Health Benefits
There’s evidence thatvitamin Ccould play a role in protecting gum health, according to a 2019 review of existing studies that looked at the relationship between blood levels of vitamin C and periodontitis.
The patients with lower blood levels of vitamin C showed a greater progression of periodontal disease than those with higher vitamin C levels.
For help filling up on vitamin C, include foods such as grapefruit, oranges, kiwi, mango, papaya, strawberry, red pepper, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cantaloupe in your diet.
Ask your healthcare professional for advice on whether you should take supplements.
The Health Benefits of Vitamin C
A remedy long used inAyurveda, oil pulling involves swishing a tablespoon of oil (such as coconut oil or sesame oil) around in your mouth for about 15 minutes at a time.
A 2019 study inComplementary Therapies in Medicinefound that oil pulling with coconut oil seems to inhibit plaque growth as effectively as CHX. In addition, it caused less tooth staining than CHX.
A 2022 meta-analysis, however, concluded that oil pulling with coconut oil had no significant effect on gum health or plaque prevention.
Drinking water with and after a meal can help reduce this bacteria buildup.
Avoiding smoking(and any other form of tobacco use) can significantly lower your risk of developing gum disease. Smoking and tobacco have negative effects on all aspects of dental and oral health, including contributing to receding gums.
There’s also some evidence thatmanaging your stresscan help keep your gums healthy. It is believed that stress can alter the immune response and affect the body’s ability to fight bacteria buildup.
Summary
Some research has shown that some natural substances, including tea tree oil and vitamin C, can contribute to healthy gums and help prevent gingivitis and periodontitis.
However, these methods should not replace tried-and-true oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice daily, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Periodontology.Gum disease information.Sanz M, Marco Del Castillo A, Jepsen S.Periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases: Consensus report.J Clin Periodontol. 2020 Mar;47(3):268-288. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13189Sharma R, Hebbal M, Ankola AV, Murugaboopathy V, Shetty SJ.Effect of two herbal mouthwashes on gingival health of school children.J Tradit Complement Med. 2014;4(4):272-8. doi:10.4103/2225-4110.131373Singh N, Puzhankara L, Kedlaya MN, Ramanarayanan V.Effectiveness of tea tree oil versus chlorhexidine in the treatment of periodontal diseases: a systematic review.Evid Based Dent. 2022 Jul 12. doi: 10.1038/s41432-022-0259-6Woźniewicz M, Nowaczyk PM, Kurhańska-Flisykowska A, et al.Consumption of cranberry functional beverage reduces gingival index and plaque index in patients with gingivitis.Nutr Res. 2018 Oct;58:36-45. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2018.06.011Tada A, Miura H.The relationship between vitamin C and periodontal diseases: A systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul 11;16(14):2472. doi:10.3390/ijerph16142472Sezgin Y, Memis Ozgul B, Alptekin NO.Efficacy of oil pulling therapy with coconut oil on four-day supragingival plaque growth: A randomized crossover clinical trial.Complement Ther Med. 2019 Dec;47:102193. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102193Peng TR, Cheng HY, Wu TW, Ng BK.Effectiveness of oil pulling for improving oral health: A meta-analysis.Healthcare(Basel). 2022 Oct 11;10(10):1991. doi:10.3390/healthcare10101991Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Healthy nutrition for healthy teeth.American Dental Association.Tobacco use and cessation.Goyal S, Gupta G, Thomas B, Bhat KM, Bhat GS.Stress and periodontal disease: The link and logic!!.Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(1):4–11. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.123585Additional ReadingAsokan S1, Rathan J, Muthu MS, Rathna PV, Emmadi P; Raghuraman; Chamundeswari.Effect of oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva using Dentocult SM Strip mutans test: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2008 Mar;26(1):12-7.Deinzer R1, Hilpert D, Bach K, Schawacht M, Herforth A.Effects of academic stress on oral hygiene–a potential link between stress and plaque-associated disease?J Clin Periodontol. 2001 May;28(5):459-64.Peedikayil FC1, Sreenivasan P2, Narayanan A3.Effect of coconut oil in plaque-related gingivitis - A preliminary report. Niger Med J. 2015 Mar-Apr;56(2):143-7.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Periodontology.Gum disease information.Sanz M, Marco Del Castillo A, Jepsen S.Periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases: Consensus report.J Clin Periodontol. 2020 Mar;47(3):268-288. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13189Sharma R, Hebbal M, Ankola AV, Murugaboopathy V, Shetty SJ.Effect of two herbal mouthwashes on gingival health of school children.J Tradit Complement Med. 2014;4(4):272-8. doi:10.4103/2225-4110.131373Singh N, Puzhankara L, Kedlaya MN, Ramanarayanan V.Effectiveness of tea tree oil versus chlorhexidine in the treatment of periodontal diseases: a systematic review.Evid Based Dent. 2022 Jul 12. doi: 10.1038/s41432-022-0259-6Woźniewicz M, Nowaczyk PM, Kurhańska-Flisykowska A, et al.Consumption of cranberry functional beverage reduces gingival index and plaque index in patients with gingivitis.Nutr Res. 2018 Oct;58:36-45. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2018.06.011Tada A, Miura H.The relationship between vitamin C and periodontal diseases: A systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul 11;16(14):2472. doi:10.3390/ijerph16142472Sezgin Y, Memis Ozgul B, Alptekin NO.Efficacy of oil pulling therapy with coconut oil on four-day supragingival plaque growth: A randomized crossover clinical trial.Complement Ther Med. 2019 Dec;47:102193. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102193Peng TR, Cheng HY, Wu TW, Ng BK.Effectiveness of oil pulling for improving oral health: A meta-analysis.Healthcare(Basel). 2022 Oct 11;10(10):1991. doi:10.3390/healthcare10101991Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Healthy nutrition for healthy teeth.American Dental Association.Tobacco use and cessation.Goyal S, Gupta G, Thomas B, Bhat KM, Bhat GS.Stress and periodontal disease: The link and logic!!.Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(1):4–11. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.123585Additional ReadingAsokan S1, Rathan J, Muthu MS, Rathna PV, Emmadi P; Raghuraman; Chamundeswari.Effect of oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva using Dentocult SM Strip mutans test: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2008 Mar;26(1):12-7.Deinzer R1, Hilpert D, Bach K, Schawacht M, Herforth A.Effects of academic stress on oral hygiene–a potential link between stress and plaque-associated disease?J Clin Periodontol. 2001 May;28(5):459-64.Peedikayil FC1, Sreenivasan P2, Narayanan A3.Effect of coconut oil in plaque-related gingivitis - A preliminary report. Niger Med J. 2015 Mar-Apr;56(2):143-7.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Periodontology.Gum disease information.Sanz M, Marco Del Castillo A, Jepsen S.Periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases: Consensus report.J Clin Periodontol. 2020 Mar;47(3):268-288. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13189Sharma R, Hebbal M, Ankola AV, Murugaboopathy V, Shetty SJ.Effect of two herbal mouthwashes on gingival health of school children.J Tradit Complement Med. 2014;4(4):272-8. doi:10.4103/2225-4110.131373Singh N, Puzhankara L, Kedlaya MN, Ramanarayanan V.Effectiveness of tea tree oil versus chlorhexidine in the treatment of periodontal diseases: a systematic review.Evid Based Dent. 2022 Jul 12. doi: 10.1038/s41432-022-0259-6Woźniewicz M, Nowaczyk PM, Kurhańska-Flisykowska A, et al.Consumption of cranberry functional beverage reduces gingival index and plaque index in patients with gingivitis.Nutr Res. 2018 Oct;58:36-45. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2018.06.011Tada A, Miura H.The relationship between vitamin C and periodontal diseases: A systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul 11;16(14):2472. doi:10.3390/ijerph16142472Sezgin Y, Memis Ozgul B, Alptekin NO.Efficacy of oil pulling therapy with coconut oil on four-day supragingival plaque growth: A randomized crossover clinical trial.Complement Ther Med. 2019 Dec;47:102193. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102193Peng TR, Cheng HY, Wu TW, Ng BK.Effectiveness of oil pulling for improving oral health: A meta-analysis.Healthcare(Basel). 2022 Oct 11;10(10):1991. doi:10.3390/healthcare10101991Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Healthy nutrition for healthy teeth.American Dental Association.Tobacco use and cessation.Goyal S, Gupta G, Thomas B, Bhat KM, Bhat GS.Stress and periodontal disease: The link and logic!!.Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(1):4–11. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.123585
American Academy of Periodontology.Gum disease information.
Sanz M, Marco Del Castillo A, Jepsen S.Periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases: Consensus report.J Clin Periodontol. 2020 Mar;47(3):268-288. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13189
Sharma R, Hebbal M, Ankola AV, Murugaboopathy V, Shetty SJ.Effect of two herbal mouthwashes on gingival health of school children.J Tradit Complement Med. 2014;4(4):272-8. doi:10.4103/2225-4110.131373
Singh N, Puzhankara L, Kedlaya MN, Ramanarayanan V.Effectiveness of tea tree oil versus chlorhexidine in the treatment of periodontal diseases: a systematic review.Evid Based Dent. 2022 Jul 12. doi: 10.1038/s41432-022-0259-6
Woźniewicz M, Nowaczyk PM, Kurhańska-Flisykowska A, et al.Consumption of cranberry functional beverage reduces gingival index and plaque index in patients with gingivitis.Nutr Res. 2018 Oct;58:36-45. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2018.06.011
Tada A, Miura H.The relationship between vitamin C and periodontal diseases: A systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul 11;16(14):2472. doi:10.3390/ijerph16142472
Sezgin Y, Memis Ozgul B, Alptekin NO.Efficacy of oil pulling therapy with coconut oil on four-day supragingival plaque growth: A randomized crossover clinical trial.Complement Ther Med. 2019 Dec;47:102193. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102193
Peng TR, Cheng HY, Wu TW, Ng BK.Effectiveness of oil pulling for improving oral health: A meta-analysis.Healthcare(Basel). 2022 Oct 11;10(10):1991. doi:10.3390/healthcare10101991
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Healthy nutrition for healthy teeth.
American Dental Association.Tobacco use and cessation.
Goyal S, Gupta G, Thomas B, Bhat KM, Bhat GS.Stress and periodontal disease: The link and logic!!.Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(1):4–11. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.123585
Asokan S1, Rathan J, Muthu MS, Rathna PV, Emmadi P; Raghuraman; Chamundeswari.Effect of oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva using Dentocult SM Strip mutans test: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2008 Mar;26(1):12-7.Deinzer R1, Hilpert D, Bach K, Schawacht M, Herforth A.Effects of academic stress on oral hygiene–a potential link between stress and plaque-associated disease?J Clin Periodontol. 2001 May;28(5):459-64.Peedikayil FC1, Sreenivasan P2, Narayanan A3.Effect of coconut oil in plaque-related gingivitis - A preliminary report. Niger Med J. 2015 Mar-Apr;56(2):143-7.
Asokan S1, Rathan J, Muthu MS, Rathna PV, Emmadi P; Raghuraman; Chamundeswari.Effect of oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva using Dentocult SM Strip mutans test: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2008 Mar;26(1):12-7.
Deinzer R1, Hilpert D, Bach K, Schawacht M, Herforth A.Effects of academic stress on oral hygiene–a potential link between stress and plaque-associated disease?J Clin Periodontol. 2001 May;28(5):459-64.
Peedikayil FC1, Sreenivasan P2, Narayanan A3.Effect of coconut oil in plaque-related gingivitis - A preliminary report. Niger Med J. 2015 Mar-Apr;56(2):143-7.
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