Returning to natural health to treat receding gums and acidity in the mouth

When the amount of acids in the head area becomes too much, the health of our teeth and gums deteriorates and the gums may start retracting. The primary cause is not the proliferation of bacteria which is a consequence but the acidity of the body and it’s only by addressing the source of the issue that there will be a possibility to start reversing the situation. Stopping the process can be quite fast yet it will often take quite a bit of patience to see the effects regress. The number one objective is to restore the balance in the body.

We may notice that our gums are receding when they become sensitive to food contact as the tooth root is no longer completely covered by the gum, exposing the nerve. Receding gums start by slightly lifting or sagging, creating a gap in the tissue. The demarcation becomes visible: dentin and enamel are not the same color. The teeth appear longer. The gums, the soft tissues that cover and support the bones and roots of our teeth, are no longer able to control the bacterial infection. It’s a vicious circle since this gap between the teeth and the gums is also a nest for bacteria. The imbalance is often slow and gradual. It is time to react, but without turning to modern dentistry where everything revolves around killing, destroying, piercing, grafting, removing, eradicating. Gingivitis is a stage on which it is possible to act. The body tries to protect itself from the body’s acidity by taking some of the calcium from the teeth and bones to act as a barrier. It is possible for the gum tissue to re-form and return to its original position with natural solutions. In my case, gum recession has stopped its development and has started to, slowly, return to more balance.

Originally, the colony of bacteria present in our mouth, when healthy and balanced, is there to predigest ingested food and protect the integrity of our teeth and gums against the invasion of pathogens. Unfortunately, the imbalance often sets in without us realizing it, bringing more plaque with gums that are unable to stop the inflammation. The mouth becomes a place of overpopulation of bacteria that feast on sugars and food deposits. Bacteria have dejection 24 hours a day. Oral and dental hygiene is a complex subject related to other systems in the body, including the bacterial flora of our digestive system, not to mention our lymphatic system, which finds itself often if not always in great struggle. Each tooth has its own lymphatic system connected to the parotid glands, which are partly responsible for the production of saliva. These communicate with other digestive organs to provide the necessary nutrients to the teeth. Our teeth generally suffer from demineralization.

A few gestures and habits for a better oral health

• We may be keeping away from caffeine, alcohol, refined sugars, processed foods, aspartame, tobacco, râpé or chewing tobacco. To call the body’s self-regenerating mechanisms, intermittent dry fasting (from 12 to 16 hours a day) and longer dry fasts are a step further towards healing, while increasing the percentage of fruits and vegetables we consume (this lifestyle is referring to the section of this website about the mucusless way ot eating).
• Every acidic meal tends to soften the enamel, so it is best not to brush our teeth at this time. The mouth can be rinsed with a mix of blended alfalfa seeds with distilled water.
• We may rince the mouth with waters made from flowers and plants. In case of inflammation we may work with sesame oil while making sure to rince well. We will also be careful not to spit the mixture into our pipes as it may cause clogging. We may also use dental floss, brush our teeth with gentle circular movements, opting for an electric toothbrush or a manual one with a wooden handle.
• We will opt for an organic, natural and non-aggressive dental powder and we may create a mouthwash by mixing water, essential oils (tea tree, peppermint), cloves and sage.
• The path of homeopathic treatment is an option too.
• A deep remineralization of the teeth is necessary. For that alfalfa blended with distilled water and kept in the mouth for 5 minutes will provide its numerous minerals and nutrients.

Organic toothpaste

To brush their teeth, it is said that Egyptians were using salt and pepper before turning to clay, ashes and baking soda. Over time, they incorporated herbs and bark into their powdered formulas or chewing mixtures. With the arrival of the first tube paste in the 19th century, products from synthetic chemistry were gradually added (preservatives, fluorine salts, artificial colorings). Not only are they toxic for our bodies and the environment, they also disrupt neuronal or hormonal functions. And since we inevitably ingest part of what is in our mouth, it is therefore essential to opt for organic dental products that use natural active ingredients that reinforce physiological processes and do not interfere with homeopathic treatments. It is necessary to decondition oneself from the artificial taste and texture of classic toothpastes; therefore, taking a new habit can take several weeks. It seems important to opt for natural versions without fluoride or glycerin (found in all organic liquid versions of toothpastes) which are harmful to the body. Gradually added to toothpaste, tap water and food salt, fluoride is supposed to prevent the risk of cavities and remineralize the enamel. However, its repercussions on neurological functioning, more precisely at the level of the pineal gland, are significant. Some toothpastes contain foaming agents that increase dryness and acidity in the mouth or glycerin that interferes with the body’s natural ability to remineralize the tooth surface. Indeed, a film is left on the tooth, preventing remineralization. I tried various attractive alternative products (Georganics, Uncle Harry’s, Earthpaste) before settling on an edible powdered toothpaste made with ayurvedic siwak, cinnamon, clove and mint powder, xylitol, calcium carbonate and white clay. The mixture tastes good. Some of the elements help to remove bacterial plaque and stains, while others are antibacterial. We may add green moringa or turmeric powder and wheatgrass as well as menthol crystals, zinc citrate or a marine active ingredient as lithothamnion.

Natural solutions for gums

In essential oils or plants, the following properties are valuable allies: anti-bacterial, germicidal, antiseptic, analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal. Thymol, for example, is an antimicrobial and antibacterial component, one of the active ingredients used in some antiseptic mouthwashes. Some of what we keep in the mouth will be absorbed, it is best to use only natural products.

Ingredients

• We can prepare a gargle by boiling plants and spices for 15 minutes: cloves, rosemary, fresh turmeric, lemongrass stems, fresh or dried sage, yarrow, sumac. The rest of the herbs can be blended to make a stronger gargle with a short shelf life.
• A few drops of organic essential oils with their maximum dilution: cloves (0.5%), tea tree (15%), peppermint (5%), cinnamon (1%), eucalyptus radiata (20%), oregano (1%), thyme (2%), myrrh (1%), helichrysum (4%), frankincense (2%), chamomile (1%), wintergreen (1%). Essential oils concentrate on the harmful bacteria and preserve the bacteria that are favorable to the environment of the mouth.
• To be added to the mixture if necessary: Himalayan salts, honey, propolis, neem, mustard oil, aloe vera, amla powder.

It takes tenacity and patience to heal years of imbalances. It is important to clear the head area of acidity (drainage) and to clean the intestinal area, one of the first causes of imbalance. Everything is linked and a vision focused on the mouth will only bear limited fruit. Only a comprehensive, patient and consistent work will give the expected results.

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