Fighting bacteria along the gum line

This Week in the HSI Forum

In “Revealing The Matrix,” the May 21st e-Alert, I told you how bacteria that develop along the gum line can accumulate in the throat. When your immune system is not performing at an optimal level, this can create respiratory problems such as pneumonia. And last February I sent you another e-Alert (“Over The Teeth, Past The Gums” 2/5/03) about a study that revealed how patients with advanced gum disease may have an increased risk of heart attack due to high levels of C-reactive protein. Both of these offer further evidence of how closely our overall health is impacted by our dental health.

In the HSI Forum this week, in a thread titled “Receding Gums,” a member named Rob asks, “Is receding gums something that us older folk must just accept, or is there something (natural) that one can do to stop/correct receding gums?” And the answers that Rob receives are: “No” to the former question, and “Yes” to the latter.

A member named Georgina says that by using a sonic toothbrush with a 2-minute timer, followed by a good rinsing with a water pik and a daily mouthwash, she completely reversed her receding gum problem in 2 years.

A sonic toothbrush was also part of a regimen that was successful for a member named Elton, who adds, “But I believe the secret was switching to a non-fluoride toothpaste and adding a dash of salt (sea salt seems less abrasive) to the brush or toothpaste at least once a day. Even in the small concentrations fluoride is present in most toothpaste, the compounds of fluoride used affect the nerve endings in the gum tissues, which gradually become deadened. This lack of sensation or nerve damage in the gums may lead to gum tissue receding. (A good friend of mine is a dentist, and she privately acknowledges the problem of fluoride toothpaste and the cure, but cannot publicly state so for fear of losing her license to practice.)”

A member named Valerie says that calcium & magnesium supplements improved her receding gum problem, while Scott suggests coenzyme Q10 and vitamin C. Scott also points out that William Campbell Douglass, M.D., recommends a mouthwash made of hydrogen peroxide diluted with water to address gum problems.

To all of this I’ll add a comment from an e-mail sent to me by an HSI member named Judee in response to the e-Alert “Revealing The Matrix.” Judee said, “Please don’t leave out the professional cleaning by a dental hygienist. I have been a dental hygienist for over 30 years and it is well known that hygienists are the ‘preventive specialists’ and provide a more thorough cleaning than a dentist.”

The “Receding Gums” thread contains several further ideas for improving this health problem that should not be underestimated.

Other topics being discussed in the HSI Forum this week include:

• A thread titled “GM Foods” offers a well-informed and lively debate on the pros and cons of genetically modified foods.
• “Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) Dosage” examines some of the specifics of this potent antioxidant.
• A question about a test for Alzheimer’s disease in a thread titled “Alzheimer’s” leads to a discussion about the possibilities of preventing the disease.

If you have information about these or other topics that would be helpful to HSI members, log on to our web site at www.hsionline.com and share your comments or questions.