DISEASES OF THE GUMS

DISEASES OF THE GUMS

Gums are made of soft tissue. They surround the bottom portion of your teeth (called the tooth root). Taking care of your gums is just as important as taking care of your teeth. The most common gum complaints are redness, swelling, tenderness and bleeding of the gums, which is a sign of inflamed gums or "gingivitis". This is caused due to the build up of plaque, a bacteria filled concoction of food and saliva, around the base of the teeth or in between the teeth and the gums. Thus brushing the teeth after every meal and flossing them at least twice daily helps to prevent the collection of plaque.

Women are more susceptible to gingivitis than men. Their gums bleed easily especially during their menstrual periods or during their pregnancy. Gingivitis is also common in people wearing dentures that don"t fit them properly or in those suffering from diabetes, chronic smokers, leukemia, etc. or  in those going through a lot of stress. Heredity, certain drugs (especially antidepressants, oral contraceptives, antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and certain medications for hearttroubles) and vitamin deficiencies are some of the other common causes.

"Scurvy" is a condition where the gums become red, hot, swollen, spongy, very sensitive and they separate from the teeth and there can be formation of small ulcers on the gums, inside of lips and cheeks, palate and on the tongue with an offensive odor from the mouth. This condition usually results due to dietary deficiencies, especially that of Vitamin C or can be due to heredity, certain drugs or stress.

Use a soft bristled brush for sore and inflamed gums. Proxabrush is a special inter proximal brush that has tiny bristles that go below the gum line, where floss cannot reach. They are thus useful when used in conjunction with normal brushing and flossing.

SOME HOME REMEDIES

1. Incorporate a lot of fresh, raw or lightly cooked vegetables (especially broccoli, pecacua, cauliflower and tomatoes) and fresh, raw fruits (especially citrus fruits, which are a rich source of vitamin C) in your diet. The person should take a well balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables and fruits.

2. Mixture of carrot and beetroot juice is a useful remedy for gum disorders.

3. Chew one unripe guava daily to stop the bleeding from the gums because of its richness in vitamin C.

4. Eating oranges and rubbing the gums with their skins daily can help cure pyorrhea (inflammation of the gums).

5. Oranges, pomegranates (anar) and bananas are useful for bleeding gums.

6. Oil from leaves of cinnamon tree (dalchini) is expressed and applied to the gums to make them firm and strong.

7. Dry Indian gooseberry (amla) should be  powdered with an equal quantity of sugar and this powder should be given in doses of one teaspoonful, three times daily, with milk.

8. Wash and cut six lemons in small pieces and pour in some water and bring it to a boil. Then let it cool for about half an hour and then strain it and hold some of this juice in your mouth for a few minutes and take a few glasses of it daily for a few days.

9. The juice of raw spinach (palak) is another useful remedy for bleeding gums and for the treatment of pyorrhea.

10. Grind a few cloves (lavang) to a paste and mix it with lemon juice and massage this paste over the gums.

11. Onions eaten raw keeps the gums healthy and strong.

12. Washing the gums daily with salt solution helps.

13. Lettuce leaves should be chewed daily immediately after meals.

14. One to two cloves of garlic should be chewed daily to keep them strong and prevent any bleeding gums.

15. Chewing cardamom (elaichi) seeds is useful to prevent gum decay.

16. Potato should be included in your daily diet, since it is a good source of Vitamin C.

17. Moisten a small piece of cotton with sandalwood oil and apply it locally over the bleeding gums.

18. Betel nut is chewed to check bleeding from gums.