It’s been said that a gorgeous smile is priceless.  You can’t put a price tag on a nice set of natural, healthy teeth and gums.

Many will do anything to achieve a smile they can be proud of; and with good reason.  A beautiful smile really boosts confidence and it contributes to good health.

So, why is a healthy smile evasive to most people?  We brush, we floss, we have regular dental visits, and yet tooth decay and gum disease are at an all-time high.  Why is this?

The reasons are numerous, and I don’t want to discuss these today.  Instead, let’s see if we can discover the best natural cure for gum disease and preventing cavities.

I received an email from a man who wrote the following:

Hi Bev; I believe you are the author of  Manuka Honey For Gum Disease?  I try to be conscientious about my oral hygiene, I visit the hygienist every three months, and I still have issues with my gums.  I am considering trying your recommended regimen but I have a few questions.

 

It seems risky because you are applying sugar directly to your gums and teeth.  Did you have those same concerns and what did you find for answers?

 

I often wear Invisalign retainers (upper and lower) at night.   Would that interfere with the Manuka treatment?

 

What Manuka Honey UMF Number do you recommend for oral hygiene?  Any particular Manuka brands you recommend?  Whole Foods seems to be the best retail shopping location for Manuka Honey.

 

I understand and accept your answers are not medical advice, but I would like to read your thoughts and opinions on the subject.

 

Thanks,

Here Is My Response:

Hi Gary:

Thanks for your email about manuka honey for the gums and teeth.

It seems that more and more people are having problems with their gums and teeth in spite of the fact that they are dedicated to keeping their teeth clean.

Is Toothpaste Harmful Or Helpful To Your Teeth And Gums?

There are many reasons why gum disease is rampant, but I believe the #1 reason is that people are using toothpaste.  Get rid of your toothpaste if you want your gums to start to heal.  That may sound strange, but hear me out. Toothpaste, first of all, contain many harmful chemicals (including fluoride) and additives.  Also, most commercial toothpaste contains some sort of glycerin.  Glycerin coats the teeth and prevents them from “breathing” and absorbing minerals.  It is better to do the following:

Brush your teeth with a simple solution of baking soda and water.  You can even mix in a drop or two (and no more) of peppermint or clove essential oil for better flavor.  At night put baking soda on your toothbrush and brush; before rinsing put about a teaspoon or two of apple cider vinegar in your mouth and you will have a foaming action in your mouth.

This is excellent for your teeth and gums, and it will even push out debris from your teeth that you missed with brushing.  You don’t have to worry about this mixture being too acidic because when combined these two ingredients are very alkalizing and beneficial.

Secondly, if you’d like, you can brush with powdered, raw sea salt (such as Celtic or some other natural, unprocessed salt) and water about once or twice a week.  This salt contains essential minerals that your teeth love.  It will help to keep them strong and it is excellent for your gums.

And last but not least, after you brush you can take manuka honey (at least 10+) and massage your gums with it thoroughly, and then spit.  You can insert your guards after this for a beneficial antibacterial action of the honey.  You can even make a “mouthwash” in the morning by diluting the honey and working it around in your mouth before spitting.  Do this after you brush.

I have an article on my blog about the benefits of manuka honey and what brands I recommend.

Sorry for the long email.  I am very passionate about using natural, inexpensive products for better health.  If everyone used these methods, dentists would be out of business, and we both know they don’t want to be, so many usually don’t tell their patients about these simple, very effective remedies.

Write me back in a few weeks to let me know what you decide to do.

It will be interesting to see Gary’s results. But each person must do their own research and decide what treatment plan they will ultimately decide to go with.

The “Proof Is In The Pudding”

I read an interesting article by Dr. Mercola about experiments with manuka honey.   This is a portion of that post:

Can Manuka Honey Reduce Plaque Formation?

Researchers from India recently explored a number of strategies for reducing dental plaque:

 

• Manuka honey, which has potent antibacterial properties
• Chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash, a chemical mouthwash often used to treat gingivitis
• Chewing gum with xylitol, a sugar alcohol that has been found to help fight tooth decay

Sixty healthy subjects first received a professional prophylaxis with the purpose of making their teeth 100 percent plaque-free. They were then divided randomly into three groups, and given Manuka honey, chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash, or xylitol chewing gum. After 72 hours, their plaque levels were examined and researchers found:

 

“Both Manuka honey and chlorhexidine mouthwash reduced plaque formation significantly, better than the xylitol chewing gum.”

 

So Manuka honey worked just as well as chemical mouthwash — and better than xylitol — in reducing plaque levels, most likely because of its potent antibacterial qualities.

For more information, visit Dr. Mercola’s website.

Today we’ve discussed a few of the best natural cures for gum disease and a healthy mouth.  Why not give them a try!

How many of you use any of these remedies?  What have you found to be an effective replacement for commercial toothpaste?