Herbal Remedies for Dental Problems

Inflamed or bleeding gums, gingivitis, thrush, bad breath, toothaches, and teething are some of the conditions that plague the mouth. None are comfortable.

However, luckily relief isn't far -- and it isn't hard to find. In fact, a variety of herbs found right in your garden will improve, soothe, or eliminate these problems.

Herbal Remedies for Dental Problems

Calendula and echinacea soothe sore gums and reduce inflammation. They are an excellent treatment for Candida albicans, an opportunistic yeast that causes thrush in the mouth.

Dab affected areas with calendula tincture diluted with an equal amount of water. For gums, make a strong infusion and swish it in the mouth for several minutes. You can either spit it out or swallow it.

A couple of drops of lavender oil is also good at clearing up Candida albicans, as well as reducing inflammation and healing sores. Infected gums are successfully treated with goldenseal or Oregon grape, too. Their berberine content gives them antimicrobial effects, killing off offending bacteria. Rosemary helps heal canker sores and has antiseptic properties.

Parsley is a natural breath sweetener. Instead of sending it back to the kitchen on your plate, nibble this herb after your meal. Not only will you have better breath, but you'll also get a boost of vitamins A and C and the minerals calcium and iron. Licorice sweetens breath, too, and is frequently used to flavor and sweeten herbal toothpaste and mouthwashes. Fennel has a similar action and will also help if you have gas.

Oil of cloves, a tropical spice you can't grow in your garden, is good to have on hand for toothaches or teething. Rub a little on the gums.

Whatever your mouth affliction, natural herbs such as calendula and echinacea can help offer relief.

For more information about the subjects covered in this article, try the following links:

To see all of our herbal remedies, visit our main Herbal Remedies page.
To learn more about treating common medical conditions yourself, go to our main Home Remedies page.
For more information about treating tartar and plaque at home, visit Home Remedies for Tartar and Plaque.
To learn more about how calendula can help with dental issues, go to Calendula: Herbal Remedies.
For more general information about oral health, visit How Oral Hygiene Works.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.Before engaging in any complementary medical technique, including the use of natural or herbal remedies, you should be aware that many of these techniques have not been evaluated in scientific studies. Use of these remedies in connection with over the counter or prescription medications can cause severe adverse reactions. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about whether practitioners are required to be professionally licensed. If you plan to visit a practitioner, it is recommended that you choose one who is licensed by a recognized national organization and who abides by the organization's standards. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before starting any new therapeutic technique.