Natural or herbal supplements used
in dentistry
One may ask: "is
there a natural or herbal remedy for some dental problems?” The answer is, “yes.” Many natural substances can be used to assist
in healing the gingival tissue after scaling and root planing, calm the pain of
mouth sores, easing tooth pain after dental procedures and reducing
inflammation from gingival infections. This article will address some of these familiar
herbal supplements.
Reducing inflammation
“Inflammation is the
body’s response to cellular injury.”[1]
Our bodies respond to this cellular injury when we experience physical and even
emotional distress. Inflammation of the
oral cavity such as gingivitis, periodontal disease and other dental conditions
can produce unsightly as well as painful gum tissue. The herbal supplements made from Aloe Vera,
bloodroot, calendula, Echinacea, Goldenseal, and Grapefruit seed extract can
assist in reducing inflammation and assist with pain control.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a clear sticky
substance extracted from the internal membrane of the Aloe Vera plant. Once the clear substance is extracted a
dental gel can be made. When used the
Aloe Vera gel will assist in reducing inflammation from dental diseases like
gingivitis and periodontal disease. A study done by the
Department of Periodontics, ,Jaipur Dental
College, in Jaipur ,India, found that Aloe Vera gel was effective at
healing the gingival tissue after scaling and root planing.[2] They took 15 patients with moderate
periodontal disease. Each patent was
evaluated using a plaque index, a bleeding index, and periodontal probe
readings. Each individual was provided
with scaling and root planing. At the
time of scaling and root planing one site per tooth in multiple areas in the
mouth, probing 5mm with bleeding, were filled with the gel of the Aloe Vera
plant. All patients were evaluated
before treatment at one month and at three month intervals. Results showed a
significant decrease in pocket depths and bleeding in those sites that were
injected with the Aloe Vera gel.[3]
Brushing with Aloe Vera gel can reduce the inflammation associated with
gingivitis and periodontal disease as well.
Aloe Vera
Aloe
Vera toothpaste gel can be made from an Aloe Vera plant.
Step
by step instructions can be found at:
Aloe Vera Toothpaste Gel
1.
Find Aloe Vera
You can either buy or
plant an Aloe Vera plant, or check around your neighborhood, at parks, and ask
friends and family if they know where any Aloe Vera plants are located. Aloe is
plentiful and very easy to find and most species are edible. It is a good idea
to double-check your finds because some types of Aloe Vera have laxative
effects.
2.
Gather the Ingredients
3
tsp. of Aloe Vera gel
5
tsp. of baking soda
5
tsp. of vegetable glycerin
freshly
chopped mint
3. Mix the Ingredients
Extract the Aloe
Vera Gel from the Aloe Vera plant. Use a
knife to chop the Aloe Vera gel into small juicy bits. Combine the Aloe Vera
gel with the baking soda, vegetable glycerin.
Mix well. Add the freshly chopped
mint. Place in an air tight container
and use as you would your regular tooth paste.
Aloe Vera Gel is not thick like other tooth paste however it has a mild
mint flavor and can help fight inflammation.
Bloodroot
Bloodroot
is usually grown in wooded areas from Quebec to Florida on the eastern
coast. Bloodroot is not usually found
west of Kansas. Bloodroot
responds best in shady, moist soil. It
is best to plant bloodroot from seed or use a root cutting from other plants; do
not use plants that are out in the wild (Bloodroot is endangered). Gather the root when the plant is flowering.
Use gloves when handling bloodroot; the juice is red and can stain the skin.[5] One of the substances found in
bloodroot is Sanguinarine. This
substance can be effective for plaque control as well as dental inflammation such
as gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Bloodroot should be used in very small doses.[6] Toothpaste or mouth rinses containing
bloodroot can assist in treating gum inflammation when used properly.
Altnature.com attaches this warning about the use of
Bloodroot:
“CAUTION Use internally with caution, it contains toxic
opium-like alkaloids and can cause mucous membrane irritation, an over dose can
be fatal, do not use when pregnant or lactating. Bloodroot is not edible.[7]
Bloodroot
Calendula
The
dried petals of the Calendula plant can be used to treat inflammation and minor
infections such as gingivitis and early periodontal disease. These petals, fresh or dried, can be made into ointments and creams. Liquid extracts can be used to go into a
periodontal pocket.
Caution: Calendula is generally considered safe to use on
your skin. DO NOT apply it to an open wound without a doctor's supervision. People,
who are allergic to plants in the daisy or aster family, including
chrysanthemums and ragweed, may also have an allergic reaction to calendula
(usually a skin rash).
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use calendula. In
theory, calendula could interfere with conception, and possibly cause
miscarriage, so couples trying to get pregnant should not use calendula.7
Calendula
officinalis; Garden marigold; Pot marigold
Echinacea
Echinacea is usually grown in the Midwest
areas of North America. The plant itself
is tall with pink or purple flowers with a central core. Echinacea is used to treat inflammation
including the gingival tissues in the mouth.
Echinacea
Caution:
Use
with caution if you are allergic to ragweed. If you have an autoimmune disease
such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, or a chronic infection such as HIV/AIDS
or tuberculosis, you should not use Echinacea.[8]
Goldenseal
"Goldenseal is a plant that grows wild in parts of the
United States but has become endangered by overharvesting. With natural
supplies dwindling, goldenseal is now grown commercially across the United
States, especially in the Blue Ridge Mountains."[9] The dry root of goldenseal
is used to make pastes and gels to be used to treat cold sores and sore
gingival tissue.[10] Goldenseal has been used to treat bacterial
infections such as periodontal disease to reduce inflammation.[11]
Goldenseal
[12]
Grapefruit seed
extract
"Grapefruit Seed Extract
(GSE) is a substance derived from the seeds, membranes, and the pulp of
grapefruit. Used as a broad-spectrum, non-toxic, antimicrobial product, it is
known to be highly effective for fighting infection and promoting health."[13]
According to Dr. Sachs’ book
“The Authoritative Guide to Grapefruit Seed Extract”, these oral conditions were listed:
"Cold sores, cuts,
wounds –
Use 1 – 5 drops in 50 drops of water. Frequent application of solution to wound
will promote faster healing.
- Gums
(Gingivitis) – Dilute 5 to 10 drops of
GSE in 6 to 8 ounces of water, and rinse mouth with solution thorough
- Sinusitis - Using a spray atomizer, add a pinch of salt, and no
more than two drops of GSE. Shake and spray into nose. Repeat every four
hours. If the solution is too mild, add one or two more drops of GSE and
shake. Do not use this treatment with young children.
- Sore
throats – Dilute a few drops in
water and use as a gargle. This will fight even Strep germs. Use approximately
2 to 3 drops in 5 ounces of water for the gargle.
Conclusion
Many
natural substances can be used to assist in healing the gingival tissue after
scaling and root planing, calm the pain of mouth sores, easing tooth pain after
dental procedures and reducing inflammation from gingival infections. "The
use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating
disease. However, herbs contain active substances that may trigger side effects
and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons,
you should take herbs only under the supervision of a health care provider
knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine."[14].
Tess
Hulet RDH MHSM
[1] JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, PhD. INFLAMMATION:
The Relationship Between Oral Health and Systemic Disease. Https://www.adha.org/resources-docs/7823_Inflammation.pdf
2. Alperovich lisa Ana. How to: Make Aloe Vera Toothpaste.
http://www.inhabitots.com/how-to-make-aloe-vera-toothpaste/
[3]. Geetha
Bhat, Praveen Kudva, and Dodwad: Aloe vera: Nature’s soothing healer to
periodontal disease.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3200013/
[8]
http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail212.php?gc=212b
[9]
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/goldenseal
[10]
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-goldenseal.html
[11]
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/goldenseal
[12]
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/goldenseal
[13] http://appliedhealth.com/benefits-of-grapefruit-seed-extract/
[14] http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail212.php?gc=212b
