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Herbs for Dental Health
Herbal remedies have a long history of use for gum and tooth problems.
In many traditional cultures, there are no plastic-bristle brushes, rather,
the use of herbal "chewing sticks" are common. Chewing sticks
are usually taken from plants, shrubs or trees with high anti-microbial
activity. The ends of selected sticks are shredded and they are used to
massage the gums and "floss" the teeth.
In California, the young twigs of any of a number of oaks or willows have
served for chewing sticks, and are still available today.
In Traditional European Medicine, the following herbs have a long history
of use for prevention and in assisting the body to heal itself in gum and
tooth disorders.
Table 1 lists the categories of herbal remedies often recommended by herbalists
for promoting healthy gums and teeth and for helping to reverse pathology.
Anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory resins
Myrrh--a resin from North Africa to Arabia, warming, astringent
Propolis--a bee product--stimulates production of new tissue, anti-viral,
useful for mouth sores and ulcers
Pine resin (pitch)--use as "chewing gum" when firm
Other Anti-microbial herbs
Usnea--a common lichen, stronger than penicilin against strep.
and staph.
Bloodroot--an eastern woodlands plant--strongly inhibits plaque and decay-causing
bacteria
Plantain--a common world-wide "weed," use it fresh for abcesses,
inflammation
Astringents (anti-microbial, tightens tissues)
*new research shows that tannin-rich plants can be anti-viral
Krameria--contains 40% tannin, combine the powder with myrrh
as a dentifrice for bleeding or spongy gums
Oak galls (oak apples)--contain up to 50% tannins, use powder as a dentifrice
Tormentil & sage = use as a gargle for chronic gum inflammation
Immune strengtheners
Echinacea--gargle or rinse with the diluted tincture, activates
local immunity, induces healing
Baptisia--antiseptic, anti-bacterial
Essential oils
Many essential-oil bearing plants are useful for stimulating
the blood-flow to gums; they are also anti-bacterial. Examples: peppermint, spearmint, fennel, cinnamon, sage, thyme
Diet
Despite the resistance of modern medicine to the idea that tooth and
gum disease is related to diet, this idea is widely accepted among herbalists
and holistically-oriented practitioners. The single most effective method
of slowing or even stopping tooth decay and gum disease, besides active
and consistent oral hygeine, is the elimination of refined simple sugars
from the diet. These are hidden in many processed foods, which should also
be limited to 5-10% of the diet at most.
People are often of the mind that honey and fruit juice concentrates are
natural sugars, and therefor do not have the side-effects of refined white
sugar products. However, honey and fruit juice concentrates are highly refined products. Honey consists of sucrose and fructose--it is refined naturally
by the honey bee, but it can have the same effects on the body as artificially
refined sugar products. For best protection of the teeth and gums into old
age, try eliminating any sweets except fresh fruit in season. After a few
weeks, it becomes easy to avoid all other forms of sweets and focus on nature's
whole natural fruits.
References For Further Reading
Wren, R.C. 1988. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and
Preparations. Wigan, England: Potter's Ltd.
Felter, H.W. & J.U. Lloyd. 1898. King's American Dispensatory. Cincinnati:
The Ohio Valley Co.
Leung, A.Y. 1980. Encyclopedia of Natural Ingredients. New York:
John Wiley & Sons.
Lust, J. 1974. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books.Weiss, R.F.
1988. Herbal Medicine, Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers
Ltd.
Weiss, R.F. 1988. Herbal Medicine, Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield
Publishers Ltd. |
Copyright © 1996
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Christopher Hobbs is a fourth generation herbalist and botanist with over 30 years experience with herbs. Founder of Native Herb Custom Extracts (now Rainbow Light Custom Extracts) and the Institute for Natural Products 
