5 Ayurvedic Remedies To Ease Periodontal Disease, Symptoms And Causes Of Gum Disease

Have you ever given a thought to maintaining your oral health? Asks Dr Kausthub Desikachar. People worldwide ignore their dental health until they are affected by some Dental issue that gives them pain and discomfort. Most of us shun the much-recommended regular dental checkups, which result in plaque formation, and if left untreated, leads to periodontal disease (Gum Disease). In this article, Dr Kausthub Desikachar focuses on 5 ayurvedic remedies to ease periodontal disease, symptoms and causes of gum disease.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontitis, also usually described as gum disease or periodontal disease, is a severe infection of the gums, provoked by bacteria growing and accumulating on your teeth and gums. Periodontitis starts with plaque that forms along the gum line leading to inflammation of the gums that cause bleeding while brushing teeth. When left untreated, your gums begin to pull away from your tooth, giving more space for the bacteria to accumulate. This leads to severe pain around the tooth, and more reversal of the gums from the teeth, causing your teeth to look more long-drawn than normal. This effect makes teeth lose bone support, and your teeth start loosening or shaking badly; furthermore, you’ll most likely lose your teeth.

Symptoms Of Periodontitis

Periodontitis or gum disease most often develops painlessly or with no or fewer symptoms shown in the early stagings. Only in the later stages, discomfort and pain will let you discern the bothersome signs that make you think something is not right. The below-mentioned symptoms depend upon the severity of the disease but commonly involve:

1.  Bleeding or bruising when you brush your teeth
2.  Formation of plaque on the gum line
3.  Discolouration of teeth
4.  Halitosis (foul-smelling breath)
5.  Unclean feeling and taste in your mouth
6.  Shaking or loosened teeth
7.  Gums that are drawn away from teeth, making them look more long-drawn than normal
8.  Inflammed or red gums
9.  Severe pain while chewing
10. Tooth loss

What Causes Periodontitis?

The most common culprit is You. 😀 Shocked? Yes, you heard it right. Periodontitis is most commonly caused by a poor dental regimen. When you don’t brush your teeth well every day, the bacteria multiply and build plaque on your teeth from where the disease arises and advance.

Other Factors That Increase The Risk Of Periodontitis

1.  Irregular dental checkups
2.  Smoking and use of tobacco products
3.  Poor nutrition
4.  Vitamin C deficiency
5.  Health conditions like diabetes, arthritis, leukaemia and cancer treatments
6.  Hormonal changes in women related to severe thyroid, pregnancy, menopause
7.  Certain pills that cause changes in the gums

5 Ayurvedic Remedies To Ease Your Symptoms

1.  Lemon, rich in Vitamin C, can help lessen the inflammation of the gums. Take the lemon juice extract from half a lemon and combine it with a pinch or two of rock salt. Apply this juice to your teeth and gums and give it a gentle massage. Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
2.  An ancient Ayurvedic remedy to treat gum disease is to massage the washed aloe vera gel on the gums. It is important to use the extract from an aloe vera plant for it to work its magic. One should not use the cosmetic gel you get in the market these days. 
3.  Triphala, a vital ayurvedic herb, is a blend of Amalaki, Haritaki, and Bibhitaki, known for its antimicrobial and astringent beneficial properties. This herb is effective in treating bleeding gums, plaque formation and other symptoms associated with periodontitis. Take one teaspoon of Triphala powder in one glass of lukewarm water and swish with it 3-4 times a day to reap its benefits. 
4. Turmeric is a wonderful antiseptic used to treat infections. You could mix 2-3 pinches of turmeric with coconut oil and apply this mixture on your gums and leave it on for few minutes, and then rinse with warm water. 
5.  Using neem twig/bark as an alternative to the toothbrush is a great way to keep the bacteria at bay as neem has potent anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Take a neem twig as solid as your tiny finger, strip its skin, and use it for brushing your teeth. You will notice that with regular use, the infection caused by periodontitis would have diminished. 

Conclusion

Dr Kausthub Desikachar says, getting a regular checkup with a Dentist and getting your teeth cleaned might seem like an unnecessary expense added to your budget. But skipping them can lead to unexpected dental problems and costly procedures. 

It is suggested to visit a Dentist twice a year / every six months to maintain good dental health.