Natural methods of Preventing Gum Disease?

April 11, 2003

Natural Methods of Preventing Gum Disease?

" I recently heard that cranberry juice can help prevent tooth decay and gum

disease. I want to do everything I can to avoid gum disease, which seems to run

in my family. Do you think I should be drinking cranberry juice? If so, how

much? "

-- Anonymous

(Published 08/17/1999)

The Journal of the American Dental Association published a study in the December

1998 issue by Israeli scientists that did indeed discover something in cranberry

juice that prevented bacteria in the mouth from forming dental plaque, which

leads to both tooth decay and gum disease. Although this is good news, the

researchers weren't able to identify the compound. It's probably the same one

that helps combat urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria from adhering

to the lining of the bladder. Even so, most brands of cranberry juice on the

market will likely do more harm than good to your teeth considering how much

sugar they contain.

That said, there are several, more surefire methods for protecting yourself

against gum disease.

If you smoke, quit. If you don't smoke, avoid smoky environments. There's

strong evidence that smoke (even secondhand) increases the likelihood of

periodontal disease, probably by restricting blood vessels and reducing blood

flow to the gums. At the same time, reduce the amount of alcohol you drink, as

this too raises your chances.

Take 100 mg coenzyme Q10 (60 mg of the soft-gel variety), as well as the

antioxidant formula I recommend. I also suggest taking a 1,000 to 1,500 mg

calcium supplement daily (divided into two or three doses), as research shows

that young women who get less than 800 mg of calcium a day have double the risk

of periodontal disease.

Use dental floss regularly.

Finally, be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and massage your gums

too. Above all, get a checkup from your dentist every six months as he or she

can detect gum disease early and prevent it from getting worse.

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