Gum Infections

There are a variety of different infections which the gums can suffer from. One of the most common ones is Gingivitis which is when the gums feel sore and bleed. When the tissues that support the teeth become infected as well this is a condition known as periodontal disease.

Another common infection of the gums is mouth ulcers. It is important to urgently visit your dentist if you get any of the following: Redness or swelling over a large area of the gums or skin inside your mouth requires evaluation by your dentist. Redness may suggest gingivitis, a dental abscess or infection, or other dental or gum disease.

For general gum hygiene: Regular dental visits to remove plaque build-up are necessary to combat gingivitis. Once a dentist removes plaque, regular brushing and flossing will minimize plaque formation. Even with good dental hygiene, plaque will begin to accumulate again. Scrupulous attention to mouth hygiene is important and a variety of mouthwashes based on essential oils are a great help.

Aromatherapy Treatments:
For gingivitis and periodontal disease use essential oils for fighting bacteria such as Tea Tree and Thyme. Fennel and Mandarin essential oils are also valuable for strengthening the gums and Myrrh essential oil is excellent for its healing and tonic properties.

Mouth Ulcers may result from a variety of causes varying from friction from a denture or a rough tooth, poor circulation, bacteria or fungicidal infection. Sometimes mouth ulcers can occur in people who are run down physically or under mental or emotional stress.

Lack of sleep, poor diet, antibiotics and lack of Vitamin C are also factors which can cause mouth ulcers. Myrrh can be valuable as a tincture which can be bought from a herbalist to dab directly onto the ulcer. It will sting for a few moments but will help it to heal. Grapefruit essential oil is useful if there are mouth ulcers or gum infection.

Gentle massage of the gums with a mouthwash will improve local circulation and help to speed up healing. Also if the gums are too sore to brush place a few drops of the mouthwash on your fingertips (after scrubbing your hands so that they are immaculately clean) and gently massage into the gums. Some formulas for mouth washes are below:

MOUTHWASH 1: 250ml cheap brandy 30 drops Peppermint essential oil 20 drops Thyme essential oil 10 drops Myrrh essential oil 10 drops Fennel essential oil

MOUTHWASH 2: 250ml cheap brandy 50 drops Tea Tree essential oil 30 drops Grapefruit essential oil To use these mouthwashes place the ingredients in a clean bottle and shake well then add 2 to 3 teaspoons to half a tumbler of warm water.

Fennel Essential Oil

This is a herb of ancient medical repute which has been used for years. Try it for bruising, inflammation of the joints, arthritis, PMT and many digestive complaints.

£3.75

Grapefruit Essential Oil

Grapefruit oil is a sunny happy oil which has valuable anti depressant qualities. It can help with oily skin and hair as well as acne. Also use it to de-toxify and stimulate the circulation after exercise.

£4.25

Myrrh Essential Oil

Myrrh is good for many skin conditions including woulds, weeping sores, athletes foot and cracked skin. Useful for chest infections and can help with diarhhoea and stomach pains.

£8.75

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea Tree - the ultimate antiseptic which is a truly wonderful oil to keep in. Use it for veruccaes, thrush and warts, acne, rashes and dandruff. Try it for resipratory problems such as coughs and catarrh and use it to help with viral infections and increase the boxes immune system.

£2.75

Thyme White Essential Oil

Try Thyme for your hair or skin and in a hot compress to ease the pain of rheumatism. One of the best uses for Thyme is in all forms of infection because it strengthens the bodies resistance to invading organisms. It can help with insomnia and is reputed to strengthen the memory and stimulate the brain.

£8.25

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint has a lot of different uses including acne and itching skin, palpitations and neuralgiz, catarrh and colds and to aid clear thinking as well as having ties with the digestive system.

£2.75