Gum disease is an illness that affects roughly three quarters of the adult population. It can be caused by several different factors, though the most common cause is simply not following adequate oral hygiene recommendations. Gum disease is treatable and curable with professional car, but this can be an expensive process. Here, we will look at substances and tactics that provide some natural prevention of gum disease.

The most common way to prevent gum disease is to make sure that the teeth and gums are brushed at least twice a day and floss is used to remove plaque at and just below the gum line. Doing these things removes the bulk of harmful bacteria that grow on plaque and cause an infection in the mouth that turns into gum disease.

In addition to brushing and flossing, one natural preventative for gum disease is rinsing the mouth with salt water. Believe it or not, salt water is an excellent disinfectant because it kills the bacteria by drying them out. The principle is that same as the reason a man lost at sea can not stay alive by drinking the sea water.

Oil from the peppermint plant not only provides a pleasant minty taste, but it is a powerful germ killer. Adding a few drops of mint oil to one’s toothpaste will kill virtually all of the bacteria growing in the mouth. This will prevent the bacteria from building up on the teeth and causing an infection.

There are other, less direct approaches to naturally preventing gum disease as well. One extremely important factor is getting plenty of vitamin C. Sailors learned centuries ago that they had to carry fruit on their voyages to prevent them developing scurvy, a disease that caused them to lose all their teeth.

Vitamin deficiencies can have both a direct and an indirect effect on the successful prevention of gum disease. Deficiencies in certain vitamins will lead to the breakdown of the gums and bones that support the teeth. Other vitamins are needed to maintain the immune system at a level that can fight off an infection before it turns into gum disease. A healthy diet is one of the best ways to provide some natural prevention of gum disease.

Another important dietary approach to preventing gum disease is limiting the intake of sweets. Sugar provides a medium that bacteria in the mouth can feed off of and multiply at a rapid pace. If one eats a sweet snack and does not brush promptly, the bacteria in the mouth get a huge head start on causing gum disease and infection.

Limiting the amount of sugar in the diet also extends to what one drinks. It is important to avoid a lot of sugary sodas and sweetened drinks. Water is the ideal choice for rehydrating the body’s tissues and will not lead to an increased buildup of bacteria in the mouth. There are also some types of tea that can be drunk that have properties that help to prevent the development of gum disease. Green tea is currently being touted because of its antioxidant properties, but it also fights the development of bacteria in the mouth that could lead to gum disease.

Medical intervention and treatment by a dentist can normally reverse and cure gum disease if treatment begins before it has progressed too far. However, it is much less expensive financially and easier on the body to prevent the onset of gum disease in the first place. Following these natural methods of preventing gum disease will help to keep your smile bright and your gums healthy for years to come.