Dental Health 7 Natural Remedies for Healthy Gums By Cathy Wong Cathy Wong Facebook Twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 17, 2021 Medically reviewed by Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS Medically reviewed by Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS LinkedIn Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS, is a general dentist practicing in New York, and a member of the American Dental Association and New York State Dental Association. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Causes of Gum Disease Neem Tea Tree Oil Cranberry Vitamin C Oil Pulling Diet Lifestyle A number of natural remedies may help you achieve healthy gums, an important part of your overall wellbeing. When added to an oral hygiene routine that also includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing often, and visiting your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and check-ups, these natural remedies may help fend off gum disease. Caiaimage / Getty Images Causes of Gum Disease In your mouth, bacteria are constantly forming a sticky substance called plaque on your teeth. Brushing and flossing can help you get rid of plaque, but the substance can also harden and, in turn, form another substance called tartar. In many cases, the buildup of plaque and tartar can lead to the development of gingivitis, a condition marked by inflammation of the gums. When left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis (meaning "inflammation around the tooth"). Not only known to cause tooth loss, periodontitis has been linked to heart disease in a number of studies. Before using any type of natural remedy for healthy gums, remember that no remedy should be used as a substitute for standard oral care. Although no natural remedy has been found to treat or prevent gum disease, certain remedies may help fight plaque buildup and keep your gums healthy. Here's a look at five natural remedies said to promote healthy gums. Neem An ayurvedic remedy, neem extract from an evergreen tree native to India has been found to possess antibacterial properties. Research on neem and gum health includes a small study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine in 2014. For this study, 105 children (ages 12 to 15) used mouthwashes containing neem, mango, or chlorhexidine (an antiseptic found in many types of mouthwash) twice a day for three weeks. Results revealed that all three types of mouthwash were effective in reducing plaque and inhibiting gingivitis. The Health Benefits of Neem Tea Tree Oil Tea tree oil may aid in the treatment of gingivitis, according to a report published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews in 2006. If you're thinking of using tea tree oil for gum health, choose a toothpaste that contains this essential oil as an ingredient. Ingesting undiluted tea tree oil (or using homemade tea tree oil tooth remedies) can be toxic. The Health Benefits of Tea Tree Oil Cranberry Some research shows that cranberry may help thwart gum disease by preventing bacteria from sticking to your teeth. What's more, a preliminary study published in the Journal of Periodontal Research in 2013 suggests that compounds found in cranberry may help regulate periodontitis-related inflammation. Can Drinking Cranberry Juice Lower Cholesterol? Vitamin C There's some evidence that vitamin C could play a role in protecting gum health. In a study published in the Journal of Periodontology in 2000, for example, researchers analyzed data on 12,419 adults and found that those who consumed the least vitamin C had the greatest risk of periodontal disease. For help in filling up on vitamin C, include foods such as grapefruit, oranges, kiwi, mango, papaya, strawberry, red pepper, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cantaloupe in your diet. The Health Benefits of Vitamin C Oil Pulling A remedy long used in Ayurveda, oil pulling involves swishing a tablespoon of oil (such as coconut oil or sesame oil) around your mouth for about 15 minutes at a time. Research on oil pulling's health effects is limited, but several small studies (including a clinical trial published in the Indian Journal of Dental Research in 2009) have indicated that oil pulling may reduce plaque buildup and offer some protection against gingivitis. Diet Along with using good oral hygiene practices, you can preserve your oral health by following a diet high in calcium-rich foods and low in sugary foods and beverages. Lifestyle Several lifestyle practices may also help enhance your gum health. For instance, avoiding smoking (and any other form of tobacco use) can significantly lower your risk of developing gum disease. There's also some evidence that managing your stress can help keep your gums healthy. A Word From Verywell Preserve your oral health by brushing, flossing, and having your teeth professinally cleaned. If you're experiencing symptoms such as bleeding gums, pain while chewing, or sensitivity in your teeth, it's crucial to consult your dentist rather than attempting to self-treat gum health issues with natural remedies. 10 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Delta Dental. What is plaque? Dhadse P, Gattani D, Mishra R. The link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease: How far we have come in last two decades?. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2010;14(3):148–154. doi:10.4103/0972-124X.75908 Sharma R, Hebbal M, Ankola AV, Murugaboopathy V, Shetty SJ. Effect of two herbal mouthwashes on gingival health of school children. J Tradit Complement Med. 2014;4(4):272-8. doi:10.4103/2225-4110.131373 Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: A review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2006;19(1):50–62. doi:10.1128/CMR.19.1.50-62.2006 Tipton DA, Babu JP, Dabbous MKh. Effects of cranberry components on human aggressive periodontitis gingival fibroblasts. J Periodont Res. 2013;48(4):433-42. doi:10.1111/jre.12023 Nishida M, Grossi SG, Dunford RG, Ho AW, Trevisan M, Genco RJ. Dietary vitamin C and the risk for periodontal disease. J Periodontol. 2000;71(8):1215-23. doi:10.1902/jop.2000.71.8.1215 Asokan S, Emmadi P, Chamundeswari R. Effect of oil pulling on plaque induced gingivitis: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. Indian J Dent Res. 2009;20(1):47-51. doi:10.4103/0970-9290.49067 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Healthy nutrition for healthy teeth. American Dental Association. Tobacco use and cessation. Goyal S, Gupta G, Thomas B, Bhat KM, Bhat GS. Stress and periodontal disease: The link and logic!!. Ind Psychiatry J. 2013;22(1):4–11. doi:10.4103/0972-6748.123585 Additional Reading Asokan S1, Rathan J, Muthu MS, Rathna PV, Emmadi P; Raghuraman; Chamundeswari. "Effect of oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva using Dentocult SM Strip mutans test: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study." J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2008 Mar;26(1):12-7. Deinzer R1, Hilpert D, Bach K, Schawacht M, Herforth A. "Effects of academic stress on oral hygiene--a potential link between stress and plaque-associated disease?" J Clin Periodontol. 2001 May;28(5):459-64. Peedikayil FC1, Sreenivasan P2, Narayanan A3. "Effect of coconut oil in plaque-related gingivitis - A preliminary report." Niger Med J. 2015 Mar-Apr;56(2):143-7. By Cathy Wong Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit