This article aims to help the reader in the rapid identification of natural remedies useful in the treatment of various symptoms, disorders and pathologies. For some of the listed remedies, this utility may not have been confirmed by sufficient experimental tests conducted with a scientific method. Furthermore, any natural remedy presents potential risks and contraindications.
If available, we therefore recommend that you click on the link corresponding to the individual remedy to learn more about the topic. In any case, we remind you of the importance of avoiding self-treatment and to consult your doctor beforehand to ascertain the absence of contraindications and drug interactions.
Gingivitis is a widespread disorder in the population, often the result of poor oral hygiene. This inflammatory process affecting the gums is accompanied by characteristic symptoms, such as ease of gingival bleeding (spontaneous or due to minimal trauma, such as brushing operations), bad breath, edematous (swollen) appearance of the gums, pain (in acute cases ) and gum redness. If neglected, a gingivitis due to bad oral hygiene can extend by gravity to the underlying bone and to the ligament which keeps it anchored to the tooth; in this case one speaks of periodontitis, a disease that can lead to the fall of the tooth itself.
In addition to poor oral hygiene, gingivitis can be the consequence of traumas (too vigorous brushing, improper use of floss, foods that are too hot or too cold), nutritional deficiencies (deficiencies of vitamin C (scurvy) or vitamin K) and diseases or drugs that increase susceptibility to oral infections (diabetes, AIDS, leukemia, Addison's disease). There are also conditions that facilitate gingival bleeding, such as pregnancy, smoking or chewing tobacco, and the use of anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin (coumadin), acenocoumarol (sintrom) and heparin.
As always the treatment of gingivitis depends on the underlying aetiological factor, but in general it cannot be ignored, first of all, by a correct oral hygiene.
Medicinal plants and supplements useful against gingivitis
Infectious gingivitis: propolis, drugs with essential oils (sage, mint, menthol, cloves, chamomile, anise) due to its disinfectant properties; drugs rich in tannins (witch hazel, ratania, tormentilla, oak bark) due to their astringent and anti-edematous properties.
Stress gingivitis or generalized loss of immune defenses: eleuterococco, uncaria, ginseng, echinacea, androgafis, astragalus, mistletoe.
Supporting phytotherapy in the presence of gingivitis and stomatitis of various origins: mucilaginous drugs (marshmallow, mallow, aloe gel), which stratify on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity as a sort of gel protect the mouth from further insults and soothe inflammation.
Myrrh, one of the most used herbal remedies in the presence of gingivitis, owes its action to the combination of three classes of important active ingredients: the essential oil, with antibacterial properties, the gums, which protect the mucous membranes, and the derivatives terpenic, with anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Calendula is also useful for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
