Gum Disease
Periodontal Disease, Gingivitis, Pyorrhea
How Vitamins & Nutritional Supplements May Help
 

Gum disease is found in close to 50%

Common Symptoms of Gum Disease
 

Gum disease symptoms include swollen, tender, aching, bleeding gums, bad breath, receding gum lines, bone loss, loose teeth and tooth loss, and pus between the teeth and gums.
 

Common Causes of Gum Disease
 

Gum disease is caused by the same bacteria that eat up the enamel on your teeth and cause cavities, however, when you are lacking nutrients like vitamins A, C and D, and minerals like calcium, and/or eating a bad diet, you are far more likely to succumb.  In fact, low intake and/or low absorption of dietary calcium and other minerals are often noticed first in the gums and jawbone.  Excessive phosphorus in the diet (found in sodas) can cause a loss of calcium and contribute to the problem.   Also, women going through menopause or after menopause seem to have higher rates of gum disease, so hormones may play a role.

Native peoples eating totally unrefined diets, including high amounts of fat soluble vitamins from animal fats that are necessary in order for your body to utilize calcium and other minerals, rarely had either cavities or gum disease, according to Dr. Weston Price, even though they did not have toothbrushes or floss, much less use them!
 

Gum Disease and Vitamins, Minerals and Other Nutritional Supplements
 

Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has shown almost immediate relief for many of those with gum disease*.   In The Miracle Nutrient:  Coenzyme Q10, authors Bliznakov and Hunt show that scientific research indicates that "coenzyme Q10 dramatically halts the progression of periodontal disease and usually totally heals the damage already done, including the regrowth of previously atrophied tissue”.  We recommend 25 mg capsules of natural Co-Q 10, 2X per day, for those with active gum disease.* 

Natural vitamin C and E can also be helpful for gum disease, as can cod liver oil, which is naturally high in vitamins A and D, especially if your get the high vitamin-type.  Coral calcium can supply much needed calcium, magnesium and trace minerals to your diet, but make sure you are getting enough fat in your diet to be able to properly absorb it.  Calcium can help to shrink the pockets of inflammation, and also strengthen the jawbone to which the teeth are anchored. 

Chlorella, garlic, and olive leaf extract can help boost your immune system and help your body to get rid of the excess bacteria in your mouth.  Zinc can help prevent gingivitis because it strengthens gum tissue*. Green tea can also be helpful as it inhibits bacterial growth.*  The high levels of polyphenols in green tea also help prevent the formation of plaque. 

Folic acid, found in natural B vitamin supplements and nutritional yeast, has also shown evidence of preventing gingivitis or gum disease*, although it’s very hard to find in a natural supplement.  One we know of is Premier’s Folic Acid-ND, although it is kind of pricey. Many health care practitioners recommend always talking B vitamins in a complex, as they tend to work synergistically.  This means that if you take folic acid by itself, it may not have all the co-factors needed to put it to full use in your body.  In other words, it might help with your gum disease, but may help more if taken in combination with the other B vitamins.  Making a weak mouth rinse can be helpful too.  Try a few drops of liquid folic acid in 1/4 cup of warm water.  Rinse for at least 1 minute, and spit out.

Recommended Vitamins & Nutritional Supplements*

• Co Q10*
• Natural Vitamin C - like in RawBurst*
• Natural Vitamin E*
• High vitamin cod liver oil*
• Coral calcium*
• Chlorella*
• Olive Leaf Extract*
• Green Tea Extract*
• B Vitamins, including folic acid*
• Greens mix*
   

Good Food Choices if You Have Gum Disease or Gingivitis
 

Whether you already have gum disease or want to prevent it, we highly recommend eating as much as possible a whole foods, nutrient-dense, non-refined diet.  Refined sugar and flour and other products not only lack nutrients, but they rob you of other nutrients as they need vitamins and minerals just to digest them!  Try to avoid these along with carbonated sodas that also reduce the amount of minerals in your body. 

Raw, crunchy fruits and vegetables can help to stimulate your gums and clean your teeth.  Vitamin C-rich foods, like berries, peppers and citrus fruits, vitamin A rich foods like liver, butter and cream, carotene rich foods like carrots, squash and dark leafy greens can all be helpful.  Also, leafy greens and beans tend to be high in folic acid, which as noted above, can help with gum disease.

Cultured foods for friendly digestive bacteria will help you to digest your food better and get more nutrients into your body.  Make sure and include enough of the right kinds of fats in your diet to help with mineral absorption.  Salmon and mackerel are good sources of CoQ10, as are nuts, whole grains, yellow & orange vegetables and spinach and broccoli.
 

Other Ideas for Gum Disease Problems
 

An oral irrigator, like the "water pik" can be very helpful when you have gum disease, especially if you have pockets.  If your pockets are deeper than 3 mm, you might want to invest in special tips and/or a syringe type applicator to get the solution directly into the pockets.  If you use this with a natural herbal anti-bacterial agent, you can help get rid of the germs that cause gum disease.  A regular program of brushing, using the irrigator, and flossing can help. 

Some effective herbal products that can be put in the oral irrigator and/or rubbed on your gums include golden seal, calendula, chamomile, green tea, tea tree oil, comfrey and aloe vera juice.  The Dental Herb Company make some great natural products, including a toothpaste, oral irrigator solution and mouthwash that can help you to get rid of the bacteria and plaque that cause gum disease. 

Last, but not least, in addition to the vitamin, mineral and herbal remedies, many people have had success swishing with a � water � 3% hydrogen peroxide solution for 1 minute, at night before going to bed. 

* This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Healthy Vitamins & Nutritional Supplements
 

RawBurst

A great source of natural vitamin C complex, with all the co-factors necessary for your body to put them to good use!  Also contains polyphenols and other phytochemicals that have been show to boost immune function and more.