Strengthening teeth and gums
Miscellaneous suggested herbal, plant and other remedies
As with any page containing herbal treatment suggestions and advice, the reader is reminded of Healing Teeth Naturally's introductory General advice and considerations re using herbal and similar nature-derived remedies to heal, treat or improve one's gums and teeth.
Comfrey root (Symphytum officinale radix)
Comfrey is a time-honoured treatment for a number of bone-related complaints (as shown by its popular designation "knitbone"). As seen from its official designation, it is also a recognised medicinal plant for topical use. It has anti-inflammatory properties and relieves swelling and pain, making it useful for complaints concerning the muscles and joints such as bruises, sprains, strains and to stimulate local circulation.
A widely distributed internet article even maintains that rinsing your mouth with comfrey root powder complemented by the regular intake of organic eggshells will make teeth regrow. Be that as it may, according to Wikipedia, scientific research has confirmed that "comfrey can influence the course of bone ailments".
One person did report that a deep hole that started to hurt was silenced after packing it with comfrey (see Testimonials: Remineralizing enamel, refilling small holes, healing sensitive teeth).
While everyone seems to agree on comfrey's virtues when applied externally, opinions vary widely as to the advisability of its internal application. This is due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are considered to be toxic to the liver (compare e.g. Wikipedia in various languages - the French version writes that one comfrey-related death [after ingestion over several months] is reported in "Plantes toxiques" by Jean Bruneton).
By contrast, eminent herbalist Maria Treben highly praises the herb - but mostly recommends it for external applications, with internal use recommended for lung diseases and stomach ulcers.[10]
As so often, it would seem best here to follow one's guidance or intuition. If you opt for the generally considered safe external application of the herb, an easy way to incorporate finely ground comfrey root powder into your daily dental routine would consist in mixing it into your self-made toothpowder (see Toothpaste Alternatives). (For more on eggshells, see Foods rich in Minerals and trace elements.)
Green tea, black tea and oolong tea extract
Green tea has been shown in a number of studies to possess multiple healing benefits for teeth and gums. See e.g. Green Tea Polyphenol Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate-Stearate Inhibits the Growth of Streptococcus mutans: A Promising New Approach in Caries Prevention which showed it to be as effective as chlorhexidine in reducing S. mutans growth, similarly the study Inhibitory activity of a green and black tea blend on Streptococcus mutans.
Benefits of green tea for gum disease were demonstrated e.g. in the randomized controlled clinical trial "Green Tea Intake as an Adjunct to Mechanical Periodontal Therapy for the Management of Mild to Moderate Chronic Periodontitis which concluded that green tea was promising "for superior and rapid resolution of the disease process".
Also see Efficacy of green tea-based mouthwashes on dental plaque and gingival inflammation which found green tea mouthrinses a viable alternative to chlorhexidine mouthwashes.
"In addition to black and green tea, researchers have now discovered another brand of tea which protects against cavities. Oolong tea extract, a half-fermented tea from China, reduces the formation of plaque even in small doses and thus protects against tooth decay."[1]
The particular cavity-fighting benefits of oolong tea have meanwhile been confirmed in the 2017 paper An In vitro Study to Compare the Effect of Different Types of Tea with Chlorhexidine on Streptococcusmutans: oolong tea showed nearly the same antimicrobial activity as chlorhexidine, with green tea and black tea exerting a slighter weaker effect.
Wheatgrass juice
In his "Survival Into The 21st Century" classic, Viktoras Kulvinskas recommends wheatgrass juice for toothaches and healing, which is certainly worth trying if you have it available (wheatgrass can be easily home-grown).
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric has proven benefits both against cavities and gum disease.[11]
An Ayurvedic tooth and gum formula prescribes mixing 1 teaspoon of turmeric with half a teaspoon of salt, adding mustard oil to obtain a paste-like consistency. Rub into teeth and gums twice a day. Also said to prevent gingivitis and relieve dental pain.[12]
Another formula mixes five parts alum powder, three parts black pepper powder, two parts rock salt powder and one part turmeric root powder. Use for massaging your gums.[3]
Kombucha tea
Author Rosina Fasching writes in her book "Tea Fungus Kombucha: The Natural Remedy and Its Significance in Cases of Cancer and Other Metabolic Diseases" that by regularly drinking kombucha tea one can keep one's teeth free from damage.
Since urine tests of individuals who had never drunk kombucha before have shown considerable traces of environmental toxins such a lead, mercury, benzene, cesium etc. after kombucha consumption (while the drink itself was free of these contaminants), kombucha may also be helpful for anyone suffering from heavy metal toxicity.[9]
Alfalfa leaf, cinnamon bark, yellow dock (Rumex crispus) root
described as good for bones and joints (and hence teeth) when ingested.
Hawthorn (Crataegus) berry & bilberry (Vaccinium) fruit
described as collagen-stabilizers and gum tissue strengtheners.
Eucalyptus
The leaves of Eucalyptus globulus (from which the well-known therapeutic Eucalyptus oil is distilled) also contain a cariostatic (i.e. halting the development of tooth decay) compound named Eucalyptone (see www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7546549).
Rinsing your mouth with a drop of eucalyptus oil in a glass of water will thus not only freshen your breath but also stop superficial cavity-causing bacteria from proliferating.
Chaparral
Washing your mouth daily with a rinse made from chaparral prevents tooth decay.[2]
Rose petal, oak leaf, and carob powder
To be applied as a gum pack.[4]
Amla (Ayurvedic herb/fruit)
Said to rebuild oral health and support the connective tissue when used internally and thus helpful to the teeth and gums. Used as a mouthwash or ingested in capsule form (one to two grams daily).
Onion
Rubbing onion over teeth apparently cleans, whitens and strengthens them.
Seaweed
Seaweed deserves a special mention here for its important role in health and healing. See Seaweed.
The following recommendations are owed to Dennis Knicely, D.D.[5]
Chlorophyll powder
Brushing with chlorophyll powder can halt tooth decay and gum infection.
Strawberries
To strengthen teeth and gums and to help remove tartar (calculus), cut a strawberry in half and rub onto teeth and gums. Leave on for 45 minutes and rinse with warm water.[6]
Rye
Natural fluorine, from rye sprouts or flakes, increases enamel strength.
White Oak Bark
White Oak Bark will help set/tighten loose teeth and is the main ingredient in "Dr. Christopher's herbal tooth and gum powder".
A beautiful testimonial tells of a woman whose teeth were loose due to pyorrhea and about to be pulled when "Spirit" led her to a lecture at the moment when the use of oak bark powder (applied between the gums and cheeks during the night to tighten the teeth) was being discussed. After applying this advice, within two weeks, her teeth had tightened and her gums had become firm.[7]
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Strengthens the connective tissues, teeth and bones thanks to its silica content and likely due to biological transmutation. Reportedly heals gum sores.[8]
Herbal Calcium Formula
Mix equal parts of alfalfa, horsetail, Irish Moss, Lobelia, Oat Straw. A tea can be made or ground herbs put in capsules.
Also compare
Miscellaneous tips for healthy teeth and gums and Herbal and plant extracts to help heal gingivitis & periodontitis.
... and for a complete summary of the best, easiest, and most efficient ways I know to stop and cure tooth decay
after studying the subject for twelve years, click here.
Footnotes
1 According to the German-language Wochenblatt newspaper of 17 November 1999
2 according to "Planetary Herbology" by Michael Tierra, Lotus, 1988
3 suggested in "Ayurvedic Beauty Care" by herbalist Melanie Sachs, Lotus, 1994.
4 according to a suggestion found in the "Traditional Healers Handbook" (Healing Arts, 1988) by Hakim Chrishti, N.D.
5 These suggestions formerly appeared in his very interesting article on Healing Teeth Naturally (now published in a modified version at www.healingnews.com/Healing_Teeth_article101.html) listing various natural remedies for teeth.
6 Compare Strawberry and tartar (calculus) testimonial.
7 For natural gum healing testimonials, also compare Personal experiences & real-life stories, and the powerful oil pulling routine for fixing loose teeth.
8 Note that there are many natural ways to achieve this effect.
9 Background information on kombucha e.g. under Kombucha as a cancer treatment.
10 To add to the confusion, www.doctoryourself.com/gums.html features an interesting report of gum surgery avoided by combining topical calcium ascorbate (a non-acidic form of vitamin C) with drinking a comfrey root decoction for two weeks. (Vitamin C by itself is known to help with gum disease, see Periodontal disease and vitamin C.
11 See Anticaries Activity of Curcumin on Decay Process in Human Tooth Enamel Samples and Clinical efficacy of turmeric use in gingivitis: A comprehensive review.
12 Chaturvedi TR. Use of Turmeric in dentistry: An update. Indian J Dent Res 2009;20:107-9.
Digra R, Rao NC, Gupta N, Vasi S. Ayurvedic Herbs in Dentistry: Learn How to manage Oral Health and Tooth Decay with these Modest Herbs? J Orofac Res 2014;4:41-45.