Healthy Q & A: Gum Disease

Q:

I’ve been diagnosed with the beginning stages of gum disease.  I wanted to know if there was anything supplement wise that could help.

A:

There are a number of things that can help.  CoQ10 is the first I’d recommend.  It’s a potent antioxidant best known for its benefits to heart health, but research has shown it to be beneficial to gingivitis and periodontal disease.   CoQ10 can help to strengthen gums and may help to prevent gums from receding.  Research has found that people with periodontal disease have low levels of CoQ10 in their gums, and that supplementing with CoQ10 (by pill or by rubbing on the gums) may enhance healing and tissue repair.  One placebo controlled study found that applying CoQ10 topically to the gums reduced gum loss and the depth of dental pockets after three weeks.

Oral probiotics can also be helpful, by increasing the balance of good bacteria in the mouth, they can help to reduce the amount of bad bacteria which contributes to gum and periodontal disease.  Nature’s Plus has one that’s particularly nice, it contains CoQ10 as well as probiotics strains which are especially targeted for oral health.

A high potency multivitamin would also be a good idea, since it would contain a number of vitamins which are beneficial for healing and reducing inflammation like Vitamin A, C, E, and folic acid.

Tea tree mouthwash can also be beneficial for people with gum disease.  Tea tree oil contains natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties which can help to heal gum infections and fight bad breath.   We also have tea tree treated dental floss which is a wonderful product to use with gum and periodontal disease since it brings the antibacterial tea tree oil around the gumline and between teeth.

Health Q & A: Nail Fungus

Q:

I cut my nail too far down on it’s side, and now the nail is yellowed and cloudy, which leads me to think I have nail fungus.  Is there anything I can do to get rid of it?  It looks really awful.

A:

Nail fungus is incredibly common, but thankfully it’s easy to treat.   Fungus typically enters the nail bed through trauma to the nail or nail bed.  Over time, as the fungus spreads, yellowed or white cloudy nails are the result.  If nail fungus goes unchecked it can thicken the nail and damage the surface, causing bumps in the nail.

The number one thing I would recommend is tea tree oil.  It has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and works very well when applied to clean, bare nails twice daily.  The brand Thursday Plantation has a product called The Tea Tree Antifungal Solution for Nails that I’d especially recommend.  I’ve used it personally and it works wonders. 

It may be tempting to cover the nail with nail polish, but don’t!  To regain health, it’s important for the nail to be able to “breathe”.  Tea tree oil does work very well, but you will need to be patient.  There is no miracle cure which will restore your nails overnight (sadly!), but with continued use the nail will grow in healthy.