Receding gums can be a symptom of many oral health issues, often including gum disease. The best way to treat mildly receding gums and prevent gums from bleeding again is with regular brushing, flossing and tongue scraping. However, there are many alternatives to prescription medication or possibly surgery for receding gums that may work for you, but you should always let your dentist and other health care professionals know about any kind of alternative medications you may be using.
Vitamins
Vitamin C is one of the most touted alternative medications for receding gums because a low dietary intake of vitamin C is believed to cause some gum disease. Naturally, the best way to overcome this deficiency is to get more of the nutrient.
Vitamin C also aids in collagen production, which is important for gum health because collagen is one of the building blocks of gum tissue. Therefore, if you get enough vitamin C in your diet, collagen production will be stimulated to help your gums repair themselves.
Vitamin C also helps boost your immune system, so taking it might be beneficial if your gums are receding due to some sort of infection.
If you choose to take vitamin C for your receding gums, you should take about 3,000 to 4,000 milligrams daily, in divided doses, according to the Mother Nature website.
Naturopathic doctors believe that bioflavonoids help reduce inflammation that might cause gums to recede, and may even help repair and heal gum tissue (reference 2). According to the Mother Nature website, bioflavonoids may even boost the effectiveness of vitamin C when the two are taken together.
Folic acid is also noted for reducing inflammation and bleeding, and can even help with the plaque buildup that can cause receding gums in the first place. You should take between 400 and 800 milligrams of folic acid daily, and you can take it in pill form or make a mouthwash by emptying the contents of a folic acid supplement into a glass of warm water.
Herbs
There are several herbs that may help with receding gums. Echinacea stimulates the immune system, activating the part of the immune system that is responsible for fighting bacteria and infections which are sometimes root causes of receding gums.
Burdock root is a blood purifier that also helps fight infection and reduces inflammation, which can exacerbate receding gums.
Ginseng stimulates the immune system and can help repair gum tissue that is inflamed and tender.
If you choose to take herbs to treat your receding gums, you should carefully follow the dosage instructions on the bottle to avoid taking too much.
Other Solutions
While you're treating your receding gums with alternative medications, you should know that there is a very strong link between smoking and gum disease that can cause gums to recede. So if you currently smoke, you should consider quitting to help treat your receding gums.
Getting more fiber in your diet by eating foods like fresh fruits and vegetables instead of sugary foods can help reduce plaque buildup and fight bacteria that can cause gum disease .
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