How to prevent and treat periodontitis naturally

Just like in our gut, our mouth has a microbiota with more than 700 species of bacteria. In this microcosm all coexist in peace, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, fungi and viruses. This is called eubiosis, and when something is altered, dysbiosis appears.

Periodontitis are infectious diseases caused by bacteria that inhabit the oral cavity. These bacteria are very numerous: up to 100 million of them can exist in a millimeter of saliva. Many of them are beneficial, but others are not and they are the ones that can cause gum problems.

Prevention is essential to prevent a slight inflammation of the gums from leading to periodontitis. He natural treatment of this periodontal disease includes preventive hygiene measures, with specific rinses to eliminate bacterial plaque; the use of natural remedies with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties; and therapies such as photodynamics, which produces a great improvement.

Periodontitis: what is it and what are its symptoms

Periodontitis, also known as periodontal diseaseis an inflammation of the tissues that surround and hold the teeth produced by a severe gum infection. It is a silent pathology, of which we are not aware, because there may be few external signs, and also the most common cause of tooth loss in adult people.

In a first phase, periodontitis is nothing more than a simple gingivitis, which can affect any age.

gingivitis, a mild form of periodontal disease, is characterized by redness and inflammation of the gums in the area around the teeth. This problem it is fully reversible: as soon as the bacterial plaque is removed, the gum returns to its place.

However, sometimes some other symptoms appear like:

Bleeding gums for no apparent reason and when brushing.Sensitivity to cold and heat.Change in the color of the gums.Retraction of the gums.Increase in the visible part of the teeth.Appearance of separation between the teeth.Small localized phlegmon .Bad breath.

Gingivitis appears when, as the day progresses, bacterial plaque builds up on the teeth. This happens if we do not perform proper hygiene.

Later, tartar forms, a harder layer that protects the bacterial plaque, which can thus continue to develop on the gums. In a few days tartar ends up clogging the ligamentous system of the teeth to the bone

On the one hand, the balance between good and bad bacteria in the mouth is broken. On the other hand, the tartar deteriorates the ligaments and the bone. Over time the bone is disappearing and teeth may fall out.

The way in which bacteria act on periodontal tissue is by causing lysis, that is, a break in the cell membranes of that tissue that surrounds the teeth. They form what we call periodontal pockets, a poorly oxygenated medium with an acidic pH that favors the proliferation of anaerobic bacteria. The most harmful bacteria are called Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Causes of periodontal disease

Periodontitis is a common problem. More than 50% of the population is affected to a greater or lesser degree by periodontitis. In addition to one poor hygiene that favors the accumulation of bacterial plaque and later tartar, there may be other causes that favor it:

systemic diseases such as diabetes, thyroid diseases and immunodeficiencies.Hormonal changes as in pregnancy and menopause. Older people. Genetic susceptibility. mouth breathing.Sleep problems, such as snoring and Sleep apnea, since it seems that there is a problem at the metabolic, endocrine, inflammatory and immune level, since the lack of restful sleep produces an increase in the circulating rate of inflammatory biomarkers. Studies have been done relating the severity of apnea to the severity of periodontal disease. Smoking. dental malpositionswhich prevent a correct brushing from being carried out. certain medications, such as immunosuppressants, antiepileptics, the pill or antibiotics. An incorrect diet that is too acidic. Stress, since a increased salivary cortisol.The depressionwhich entails an abandonment in hygiene habits.

periodontitis It usually appears after the age of 30 and is characterized by more active phases of destruction, although it’s a slow process.

In adolescence, a juvenile periodontitis that on some occasions it can evolve very quickly, so it is very important to insist on brushing at these ages.

In addition, it must be taken into account that, in the current pandemic situation that we are experiencing, there are several predisposing factors for periodontal disease: the use of the maskhe stressdepression in certain cases….

In addition to falling teeth, periodontal disease can have other consequences, since it provides an inflammatory ground and also has bacteria from the mouth circulating in the blood. We must not forget that our body is a whole. They can produce, for example, premature births, cardiovascular diseases or rheumatoid polyarthritis.

Natural treatment of periodontitis

To prevent periodontitis it is very important that a exhaustive daily hygiene and, in addition, do the biannual check-ups with the dentist to be able to maintain a healthy mouth throughout life. This supposes:

Carry out a good brushing of at least 3 minutes after each meal, with the use of dental floss and interproximal brushes.clean tongue where the bacteria lodge at the time of brushing. Once the tartar is formed, since it is hard, a oral hygiene by a professional and an assessment of existing bone loss. avoid the indiscriminate use of conventional mouthwashes, since, in addition to altering the sense of taste, they can alter the good flora, both oral and intestinal. You can prepare your own natural rinse for daily cleaning.

As a treatment to prevent and treat periodontitis there are multiple possibilities, which can alternate. These are the most effective natural solutions against periodontal disease:

Hydrogen peroxide with bicarbonate: Brush with a mixture of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 1 teaspoon of baking soda, once a day.Tea tree essential oil: Put 1 drop in the usual toothpaste or also rinse with 3 drops mixed with 3 drops of olive or sunflower oil and spit it out after 3 minutes, before going to bed.Clove essential oil: Mix with an equal amount of olive oil and apply with a massage on the inflamed area. It has antiseptic and analgesic properties.Propolis: Make rinses for its antiseptic effect.Oil pulling: It is a technique of Ayurvedic medicine that consists of making a deep mouthwash with vegetable oil and about which you will find much more information in this article about oil pulling by Claudina Navarro. It is about making a rinse with 1 tablespoon of sesame or coconut oil in the morning when you get up. You have to have it for about 20 minutes in your mouth and walk it between your teeth and then spit it out. Take the precaution of spitting it out on a piece of paper and then throwing it away, because when it cools down it can clog the pipes.Omega 3: DHA and EPA are two omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acids that are not produced directly by the body, so they must be ingested with food. They are found in oily fish, but we also have great vegetable sources of omega-3, such as flax seeds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, chia grains… We should consume about 500 mg per day.Laurel hydrosol: It is a very useful bactericide and antifungal for rinsing.Aloe vera gel: Aloe vera promotes healing and renews collagen. It can be applied after the last brushing of the day and left to act overnight.Grapefruit Seed Extract: It can be taken as an anti-inflammatory and antibiotic, as it is a broad-spectrum antiseptic. One option is to take 15 drops in a glass of water in the morning. It can also be used as a mouthwash by putting 5 drops in a finger of water to rinse the mouth.Photodynamic therapy: It is very useful in periodontitis. It involves introducing a photosensitizing agent and a particular type of light into the periodontal pockets. with the energy of light oxygen is released which acts against harmful bacteria that are under the gum. With this treatment, a great improvement is noted, bad breath disappears and cavities are prevented.Homeopathy: In cases of acute gingivitis with bleeding, it is usually recommended Mercurius solubilis 7CH (3 granules 3 times a day); for inflamed gums with a bitter taste in the mouth, you can take Kreosotum 7CH (3 granules 3 times a day); and for sensitivity to cold and heat, with a sensation of dry mouth, a common recommendation is Silica 15CH (3 granules 3 times a day).

The role of coenzyme Q10 in case of gum disease

The coenzyme Q10 is a molecule present in the mitochondria of cells that helps enzymes speed up chemical reactions.

Found in most body tissuessuch as the liver, lungs, kidneys, gum mucosa, etc. In fact, since it is present in so many places, it is also known by the name of ubiquinone (for the gift of ubiquity).

Its different tasks include:

produce energy for cells.Act as a powerful antioxidant It protects cells from free radicals.Strengthen the immune system.

So, decreases inflammation and increases resistance to bacteria that cause periodontal disease.

With age, less coenzyme Q10 is produced.with which the external contribution may be advisable. In periodontal disease it is also decreased.

Plant foods that contain more coenzyme Q10 They are whole grains, walnuts, hazelnuts, spinach, seaweed and sesame.

The one that is commercialized at present is produced mainly in Japan, from a beetroot and sugarcane fermentation process with specific yeast strains that grow in a medium with a very high level of coenzyme Q10.

As a treatment for periodontal disease, it can be highly recommended.without exceeding the recommended dose, and taking it continuously, as long as a professional controls the treatment.

The recommended daily dose should not exceed 100 mg per day. for those over 40 years of age. It is usually taken in the form of ubiquinol, 50 mg daily, for 3 months. It should be consumed during meals for better absorption.

It can cause changes in people with diabetes or high blood pressure. Other than that, there are no known side effects.