After being diagnosed with periodontal disease – and trying to avoid surgery – one mom has found it’s possible to reverse periodontal disease naturally.
Guest post by Erin Josefchak
Millions of North Americans are affected by periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal diseases range from simple gum inflammation to a more a serious disease that results in major damage to gums and the bones that support teeth.
About Gum Disease
Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria form “plaque” on our teeth. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form “tartar” that brushing can’t always get rid of.
The longer plaque and tartar are on teeth, the more harmful they become. With time, this bacteria buildup causes inflammation, called “gingivitis,” which causes gums to become red, swollen, and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed.
When gingivitis is not treated, it can advance to “periodontitis” where gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected. Our immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line and starts to break down the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. Not cool.
To make matters worse, if you are pregnant or nursing you are more susceptible to gum disease! As if you didn’t already have enough to think and worry about! Due to hormonal changes, 40 percent of women will develop gingivitis sometime during their pregnancy, a condition called pregnancy gingivitis (source).
Some studies have shown that there is a relationship between periodontitis and pregnancy complications like preterm delivery, low birth weight, etc. (study, study), and even cardiovascular disease and diabetes (study, source).
My Story
I have always had dental issues. When I was a teenager, I wore braces top and bottom for four years, complete with metal headgear (good times!). I had teeth growing in my palate that had to be removed, teeth that had to be turned 90 degrees, the works. Today, I still have permanent braces behind my bottom front teeth and two impacted wisdom teeth that I still have not removed because the roots are wrapped around a major nerve. Yes, wow! Honestly, I thought my problems were behind me in my twenties.
Then I got pregnant. Followed by nursing for a year. Then I got pregnant a few weeks after I stopped nursing baby #1. Followed by nursing for another year. Four years of raging hormones!
Sometime during that period my gums started bleeding. Then it got worse. I went to see my dentist and was told that it was normal because I was pregnant and it would go away once I gave birth. Well, it didn’t get much better after I gave birth – in fact, from then on it only got worse.
Fast forward to a few years later, my gums were still inflamed and bleeding. I was nursing baby #2 and I had a new dentist since we had recently moved. That is when I was diagnosed with early periodontal disease!
They referred me to a periodontal specialist and said I would need grafting. Gum grafting basically involves removing healthy tissue from elsewhere in your mouth (usually the palate) to repair the diseased gums.
Alternative Methods to Treating Periodontitis
I made an appointment with the specialist but did my own research into costs and alternative methods. A friend who had already had grafting done confirmed the estimate of my dentist – $5,000 to $8,000! I have dental insurance but STILL…!
So what did I decide?
I decided to opt out of traditional gum grafting and take my chances with alternative methods. First, my dentist performed a deep cleaning procedure called “scaling and root planning (SRP)” which involves pulling the gums slightly away from the tooth to remove plaque and tartar below the gum line. A few months later after my gums healed from the SRP, I started laser periodontal therapy (great information video here) which involves removing the diseased gum tissue (up to 1mm) using a fiber optic laser. I had four treatments in all.
A few months after I finished the final treatment, my dentist measured the gum pockets again and there was significant improvement! Pockets that were 5mm or 6mm before were now measured 3mm or 4mm. The treatment had worked and damage was reversed – no more bleeding and inflamed gums! In fact, studies show that in 80% of cases, pocket depth can be restored to 3mm using this method (source).
The best part is that the total cost was a lot less than I expected to pay, compared to traditional methods. Total cost of my treatments was about $1000 vs $5000-$8000 (before insurance refund)! Happy dance!
Prevention
At home I continue with my regular oral hygiene routine. Even after strong suggestion from my dentist, I continue to use non fluoridated toothpaste for myself and my family. This was a personal choice, but it may not be the right choice for your family. Here is why we cut out the fluoride (article).
In addition to flossing, I also use interdental brushes to brush in between each tooth near the gum line. Studies prove that interdental brushes remove more plaque compared to flossing and brushing alone (study). And, of course, tea tree oil has been proven to prevent plaque and gingivitis (study). I add one drop of Tea Tree oil to the bristles before each use.
I also added a homemade mouthwash to my routine. (See recipe below.) It contains xylitol, honey, baking soda, and essential oils. All are excellent natural ingredients for our teeth! Studies show that xylitol, a sugar alcohol derived from birch, prevents cavities (study). The toothpaste we buy also contains xylitol. We love xylitol so much that we also use it as a sugar replacement at home (coffee sweetener, baking, etc.).
Another study showed that honey can also be used to prevent cavities (study). And yet another study showed that mouthwashes containing essential oils (particularly tea tree, clove and basil) showed effectiveness against plaque and gingivitis (study). Baking soda has also proved effective as a tooth whitener (study) and prevents enamel erosion (study).
Two years later, I am still using these preventative methods and no gingivitis in sight!
Ingredients
- 1 cup hot filtered water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tsp xylitol
- 1 tsp honey*
- 4 drops basil or peppermint essential oil
- 4 drops tea tree oil
- 1 drop clove oil
Instructions
Dissolve xylitol in hot water. Let cool. Combine all ingredients in pint sized jar. Shake until combined. Shake before each use, if needed. Do not swallow.Notes
* Local non-pasteurized honey is best and, if it is in your budget, raw Manuka honey is even better!
What are your natural remedies to prevent gum disease?
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, dentist, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Information obtained from this website is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by any health agency (FDA or Health Canada). Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician before making any health decisions for you and your family. Thank you!
Erin Josefchak is a wife to Marc, mommy to Tyler & Sierra, saved by Jesus Christ, amateur writer, and aspiring herbalist living in rural Quebec, Canada. She is committed to leading a faith-filled, frugal, and chemical-free life.
Erin’s passion is discovering the healing powers of God’s amazing creations – plants! She wants to bring glory to God and bless others with her knowledge of plants to increase their faith, improve their quality of life, and help them heal naturally with plants and prayer. She loves reading the Word, doing research, coffee, writing, baking, and making memories with her family!
Gina
Erin- have you tried Living Clay (Bentonite Clay)? I haven’t used it yet for toothpaste yet but it removes toxins. I have Dental fluorosis which means I had too much fluoride as a child. Because of this it has stained my teeth which the only way of removing it and doesn’t always work is with expensive whitening treatments at the dentist. My hope is that the Living Clay will work to remove the excess fluoride. Just a thought……
Deanne
This is very interesting. However, no one can be chemical free after all water is hydrogen and oxygen. 🙂
Stacy Whitaker
I had the same issues after three kids in three years. I started taking a product called Juice Plus+ that had scientific research regarding the reversal of periodontal disease. Within six months, my dentist was no longer recommending surgery. My body had completely healed and repaired on its own!
Sue Ayotte
Who puts out the Juice Plus? Where can I get it. Not a lot of health food stores out in the sticks where I live. Sue
Erin
Hi Sue! I do not take Juice Plus,but it’s a brand name. Individual reps sell it. It’s a MLM/direct sales company. Even though I don’t take it personally, I have heard good things about it! Hope that helps!
Rebecca
Hello! Which version of JuicePlus did you use? The fruits/vegetables or both? Thanks!
Regina
Hello Stacy, was there a specific juice plus product that you used? Please share. Thank you.
Jill York
I love this testimony! Someone in my family was told they had to have the same surgery, but healed the disease with a toothpaste that had the tea tree oil in it. I LOVE safe, inexpensive remedies! So glad to hear someone else with the same success!
paige smith
It is interesting to learn about some natural ways to prevent and reverse periodontal disease. Having a healthy diet is extremely important, not only for oral health, but for overall health. Not having good oral hygiene can create a higher risk for diabetes. So it is important to take care of your teeth.
Jennifer
Homemade Mouthwash Recipe is a perfect idea to protect my health. I love it. Now I think I can have a cool breathe with your Mouthwash recipe. I will be very confident. Thanks
Melissa @ Wellness Appliances
Periodontal problems can be really scary, and as it caused due to lack of some vitamins ( Vitamin C they say) , it is always better to be aware of it and cautious about it. I wish to use this solution myself and for my kids dental and oral health.
Terri Flament
I heard vitamin B.
Audrey Blakeney
The homemade mouth wash solution you posted above is a clever way to prevent periodontal disease. Some of the best preventative measures are natural, and this rinse certainly falls into that category. Unlike you, I use fluoride, but I would be interested in seeing how this mouth wash combines with that to prevent gum disease. Do you know if it is safe to mix the wash with fluoride?
Kathy Shirilla
FYI, my dentist is also a naturopathic doctor and she does not recommend fluoride.
Susan @ Pick My Humidifer
Thank for your recipe, you give me a clear solution and i will try if it works 🙂
Sherry
Great info and I appreciate the sourcing of all you say. Remember if you have dogs that Xylitol is deadly to them! Almost lost my puppy from one piece of xylitol gum. Thanks again.
Betty Johnson
Everyone knows that plaque isn’t good and they need to brush their teeth, but having it progress to periodontitis sounds intimidating. The fact that your immune system can break down the connective tissue of your teeth is huge! This makes me want to find a dentist and have my teeth cleaned right now. I’ll have to watch out for this during my pregnancy.
Veronika Dalton
Add gum disease to the list of things nobody tells you about when you get pregnant! I went to have a cleaning done after I’d had my first child and my gum pockets were also pretty deep! They did some kind of extra strength mouth wash injected below the gum line to help clear out some of the bacteria in there, because my gums were so inflamed. Mouth wash is great for preventing these issues. I hate it, but I’ll have to learn to do it anyway!
Victoria
Do you know if the mouthwash us safe for children?
Chelsey
Thank you for that recipe on mouth wash! I really hate the drug store mouth washes. I have deep pockets in my gums and have to get those cleansed every few months, and I have to find some kind of mouth wash I like enough to do on a regular basis.
Andrew
Glad to hear you have seen such improvement. Which dental insurance covers laser treatment? I haven’t been able to find one that covers it.
Thanks.
erin josefchak
Andrew,
I’m up in Canada so maybe insurance policies differ between countries. I’m with Manulife and it’s covered under my dental plan. Maybe you can call you insurance company after getting a quote from your dentist regarding the treatment – if an insurance plan has a choice between the two, I’m sure they’d want you to get the less expensive option!
It’s worth the money even if you have to pay out of your pocket. Gum grafting is super expensive. Yes the lasers are expensive too but only a fraction of what gum grafting would cost you!
It’s been ~4 years now and my gums are still super healthy! I actually had a spot at 12mm that is down to 6mm now. Everywhere else is 3-4mm from 6-8mm.
Hope this helps!
have a great day, erin josefchak
Tina
I had the laser surgery 4 years ago also. I am experiencing 3 areas that have deep pockets. So frustrating, as they have either stayed the same or gotten deeper. Not sure what to think. Now my dentist wants to pull those three teeth. My teeth are very clean and no cavities and no tartar build up. Any advice how to reach the deep pockets to keep them clean. I do not want to lose the teeth.
Renee
Two suggestions – one is oil pulling. It gets rid of the bacteria, moisturizes and conditions your gums. Really helps reverse gingivitis and periodontal disease. It also is a painless and cheap way of teeth whitening! What you do is, 20 minutes a day, first thing in the morning when you wake up, gently swish about a tablespoon of sesame or coconut oil around your mouth. And then spit it out into the garbage ( you can use a paper towel if you like). Don’t swallow it!! I use the time while oil pulling to make my bed, pick out an outfit, read news online, etc. You can multi task. I particularly like these little tubes of coconut oil mixed with peppermint oil
Second suggestion – my guess is that you, and our blog poster I imagine as well, are both mouth breathers. I can’t believe in the entire post and comments no one mentioned mouth breathing? Main cause of braces (needing braces is not NOT caused by genetics), also mouth breathing contributes to cavities, inflamed gums, periodontal disease and the rest of it. How do you know if you are a nose breather vs. a mouth breather? Close your mouth, with your lips sealed. If you naturally rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth (the palate) you are a nose breather. If you rest your tongue on the floor of your mouth, you are a mouth breather. And you probably can’t comfortably even put your tongue on the roof of your mouth, because it is too narrow, because of the mouth breathing in childhood (plus braces makes it WORSE) you have “occlusion” which is just a fancy way of saying crowded teeth, and too small of jaws. (which is mainly from mouth breathing. Also partly from eating a diet of soft foods as a small kid, which is what modern, 1st world kids tend to eat).
If you can, start training yourself to be a nose breather. I have been doing this and it has been rapidly improving my gum health. The only problem is when I sleep, my mouth falls open and I mouth breathe all night and snore (sexy!) The only thing I found that helps is mouth taping (recommended to me by my dentist, who is aware of mouth breathing issues).
erin josefchak
all,
Copaiba essential oil is also a good option if you have some on hand. But tea tree oil is a very good non-expensive option.
Study: http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/16/11/9611
erin
Heather Curry
I’ve heard that coconut oil is a natural germ/bacteria fighter and great for mouth health, also! Thanks for the tips, Erin!
liz
I am currently breastfeeding an infant. Do you know if it’s safe to use tea tree oil in my teeth?
Kris Mays
Yes, it’s one of a only a few essential oils that are safe to use with children.
Brenda
You! Sweet little thing are an inspiration and a blessing! Thank you got serving our Father and sharing your gifts! We all need this so much!
XOXO
Love and Blessings,
Brenda
Jennifer comstock
I found this very helpful. I was recently diagnosed with periodontal disease, and surgery was suggested. I’m going to try your methods first. Thanks for sharing your story.
joe
Jennifer, I am reading your comment from Dec. 2016, concerning your decision to try alternative treatment for periodontal concerns rather than surgery. Has the last several months proven successful for you? I have the same concerns you did. Thanks. joe
Glenn Blume
Hello everyone, thanks for sharing your story and home made mouth wash recipe. Recently my friend had decided to go for periodontal dentistry because of his gum disease and his father suggested him tooth pain Los Angeles. But I would suggest him to use this mouth wash to cure his gums.
Elaine
Hello
I have been diabetic for some time and I followed a wide variety of treatments, I have even combined with different medicinal plants without clear results. My health was deteriorating more and more. But thanks to a method that I found on the internet to achieve the results i wanted,i knew from the beginning that this could help me, and I began to follow the method from Health Herbal Clinic and the results were wonderful: I recommend you to get in contact with him via
Email: healthherbalclinic(at)gmail(dot)com
website:www(dot)healthherbalclinic(dot)weebly(dot)com
Elaine
Hello
I have been diabetic for some time and I followed a wide variety of treatments, I have even combined with different medicinal plants without clear results. My health was deteriorating more and more. But thanks to a method that I found on the internet to achieve the results i wanted,i knew from the beginning that this could help me, and I began to follow the method from Health Herbal Clinic and the results were wonderful: I recommend you to get in contact with him via
Email: [email protected]
website: healthherbalclinic.weebly.com
Till
I cant eat on one side everything cold hur5s my teeth i have perdontol disease and no money
Belinda
I have been sent to a specialist with periodontal disease and they are going to do the scaling and planing cleaning but I was told I would also more than likely need gum surgery to clean even deeper. I am petrified and do not want to do the surgery along with the added cost. He told me I had some deep pockets 7mm, what can I do once the scaling is done to shrink the pockets? He’s telling me it probably won’t shrink after the scaling. I bought a sonic tooth brush and am flossing more diligently but should I be doing something else? My first scaling isn’t scheduled until 3/24 and two weeks after that they will do the other side.
Grace
how did it go and how are you now?
Kathy
Is the deep cleaning and root scaling really painful?
Nik
The SRP cleaning, did it involve numbing, how about the laser treatments. I just heard about this. I have Delta Dental. I think I am going to need this deeper cleaning but was wondering if it was painful. Also where do you live that it cost $1000 for this type of treatment? I ask b/c it seems where I just moved that this type of treatment would cost a lot more money than that. I think my insurance only covers up to $1000 a year when they pay their portion. I’d cover the rest. I’ve actually put off seeing a dentist for 2 years since moving b/c I’m a little afraid of the pain aspect. There are dental schools within a reasonable drive, maybe that is a better option to get treatment.
sandy
Wow, I love this cool post its looks informative. I was suffered from a cavity problem over a last five month of periods I haven’t any solution for that but now its looks like i got some idea and tips.
Mariah
I am 65. One of my back molars was causing me a problem. Dentist said after X-ray, it’s loose. She recommended I see a periodontist. She attributes it to periodontal disease though my gums have not been bleeding and I have my teeth cleaned and have practiced great oral hygiene for the last 50 years of my life. Yes. There are deep pockets. After she determined the molar is loose because of periodontal disease I am completely miffed.
Ginna
I completely agree with you and Thanks for Sharing this informative article with us. Keep Up the good Works
Richard Bayside
This is really informative for me. Thanks for sharing. am expecting more of these
Matt
Thanks for this info. I have another tip. I’ve been using a product named periogen for about 2 weeks. It really seems like the real deal for dissolving the buildup on my teeth. My teeth feel super smooth. I even felt a rough spot on one of my teeth slowly fade away over a few days time. I use the product 3 times a day right now and try to brush soon after eating to give my mouth more time clean in a day than dirty.
Linda
Where do you get this product?
Nanci Wadsworth
Interesting post with helpful info! I, too, have had this issue with my gums. Eight years ago I underwent SRP by a periodontist for my periodontal disease. This was a tortuous experience. Fast forward 5 years, and my gum pockets were again increasing. This time, I had laser surgery for the SRP. This was a much more tolerable experience. That was 6 years ago, and despite various attempts on my part- flossing daily, using an alternative toothpaste that contained tea tree oil, my pockets were now 5 to 10 mm! Shock and awe! I was referred immediately to the periodontist- the same one who performed the laser surgery on me 6 years ago. This time he said my gum disease was too advanced for laser surgery to be successful. He wanted to do a full gum flap surgery. (!!) This entails cutting the gum, scraping underneath, resewing the gum. Oh, and about $8,000!
I was very upset; could barely sleep worrying about this procedure. THEN, I remembered that my daughter had been making her own toothpaste for her gum issues. I asked to look closely at her gums and only then realized they had improved 90% since I had last seen them! They were no longer swollen and red! She told me her toothpaste ingredients and then made a batch for me. (charcoal, Neem, coconut oil [pure, organic, virgin, cold-pressed), baking soda). I started using this toothpaste, and I also purchased a Water Pik and used it daily. The other addition to my routine was “oil pulling”. If you research this, it mentions using sesame oil or coconut oil. I use the pure coconut oil and swish EVERY morning for 20 mins. That was 6 weeks ago. My gums have improved 70%.
I only see blood when brushing approx. once a week, and it’s minimal. When I was waiting for our Neem ingredient to get here (imported from India), I read good reviews of “Therabreath for gum disease), and started using their toothpaste and mouthwash. I’m convinced I can completely turn my gum disease around, and am still searching for that perfect product. I’m also going to add vit. C to my routine. Hope this helps.
Erin
Thank you so much for your story and your advice!
Yvonne Miriallaki
Nanci , I am very interested to your story as i just now discoved that i have periodonditis.Could you please write me how to make this toothpaste?How are your gums now?
Eva
Can I please get the recipe amounts for the toothpaste against periodontal disease?
Daisy Woodworth
Do u have the specific measurements for this toothpaste recipe?sounds like a good detoxifying toothpaste.exactly what one needs when dealing with any disease…detoxification!
Marky
thank you for sharing this encouraging testimony. you have given me hope!
Bindia
I loved your post.God bless..for being so kind to share your experience
Anna Esparza
Hi Erin,
When you had this periodontal problem that you were successfully able to stop and cure; did you also have any bone loss due to the deep pocket size? What is your dental routine now?
KD
Hello Erin, Thank you for sharing your positive post!
Like Anna, am also wondering if you experienced any bone loss. I believe anything is possible (author Anita Moorjani’s cancer healing is just one excellent example, however rare her experience may currently be). Am searching to see if anyone has healed the “impossible to heal” periodontal bone loss, or managed to improve it somehow, and through natural means. Thank you!
Moira Blythe
My favorite thing to do to save money is to prevent as much disaster as I can. I had no idea that interdental brushes could help so much, or that there was a tea tree oil that could help as well! We’ll have to look more into this and make sure that we’re taking care of our teeth!
homework casinodelil
This form of advanced gingivitis affects the teeth and the gums. The gums become loosened from the teeth, and space pockets form between the teeth and gums. Plaque tends to build up in these pockets and erodes the bone which supports the teeth.
Jan
I am confused. The heading of the article “How to Reverse Periodontal Disease Naturally without Surgery” is misleading. The gum deep cleaning is still “surgery” although not as expensive as the alternative.
Rebecca
I’m going to try this and just ordered the oils, and wondering if I can use Buckwheat honey instead?
Mustapha
Aloe Vera is very useful to improve periodontal health. It is highly recommended for bleeding and swollen gums. Relieves a toothache and reduces the phlegmons. In addition, it will help prevent cavities and protect your teeth from enamel wear.
It can be used directly from the same plant, removing the bark and deep cleaning the internal gel to remove aloin and rubbing the gel through the gums and teeth every day.
There is also alternative toothpaste with specific Aloe Vera doses to fight bacteria, tartar, and cavities.
Thank you for taking the time to put this together. Have a nice day
Renee
Oil pulling helps a LOT. I recommend using coconut oil. Also, mouth breathing is a big contributor to gingivitis, periodontal disease, and more. If you mouth breathe (rest your tongue on the floor of your mouth when your mouth is closed, instead of on the roof of your mouth, as you should), I recommend is mouth taping.
Daphne Z.
@ Tina: I am taking high doses of Vitamin C (ChrisBeatCaner) and meeting with a periodontist that uses a Perioscope (camera) to perform the tooth planning and scaling (SRP) and offers an OralDNA test to determine the type of bacteria causing the periodontal disease. There are only about 100 periodontists in the U.S. that use the Perioscope. My understanding is that with perioscopy, the hygienist is able to see and remove all calculus from under your gums. The calculus/tartar harbors the bacteria that causes the bone loss. Some periodontists use emdogain and antibiotics with the Perioscopy.
Nichole Rogers
HI, I was curious of the outcome of your procedure using the SRP and the perioscope. I was told I need possible bone graphs, etc due to periodontal disease in one area. I go to the dentist every 6 months and use a waterpik and sonicare. I have good hygiene, I’m so confused how my dentist missed this. We didn’t know until I got an abscess on the side of my gum.
Any info helps, I would much rather do something less invasive.
Mich
This is all excellent advice but what about people that are poor and can’t afford to get these much needed dental treatment? Medicare and Medicaid doesn’t cover any of this. What can we do to save our teeth from this horrible Periodontal Disease? Some of us struggle just for our basic needs so how do we get this much needed medical treatment if we can’t even afford to make the payments?
LC
Check out Orawellness.com
They sell syringes for $10. Fill them with Hydrogen peroxide and saline and squirt this into the gum pockets. It’s a start. It should at least halt further damage if done consistently.
LC
Orawellness sells syringes for like $10 that can be filled with water and Hydrogen Peroxide and have tiny enough heads to squirt the solution into the pockets to keep them disinfected.
Geert Robsen
If you have sleep apnea (trouble breathing at night) this might be one of the root causes of your gum disease. An extremely dry mouth or sensitive gums in the morning are the signs.
Combat this by using mouth tape (or surgical tape which is a lot cheaper) or with a good chin strap.
If you don’t want to sleep with a chin strap for the rest of your life, learn how to play the didgeridoo properly. This resets your breathing patterns.
Next, don’t use any regular off-the-shelve mouthwashes. I had the nightmarish experience of not only having holes in my gums because of the disease, but also having yellow teeth because of the mouthwash. Some mouthwashes actually stain your teeth! Instead, use oil pulling with coconut oil or sesame oil.
Also, go to the dentist yearly, I failed to do so, and I am now paying the horrible price of a €600 laser treatment. Oops.
scott
I hear using zeolite as a mouthwash cures gum disease and i also hear iodine works as well!
i have had this for 15 years ;( wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
from scott B