How Licorice Fights Gum Disease Naturally
Gum disease and the plaque buildup that can lead to it affect a huge portion of the U.S. population. In fact, some studies suggest that nearly 80% of American adults could have gum disease without even knowing it.
Gum Disease and Tooth Loss
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. One of the early signs of gum disease, or periodontitis, is swollen gums or gingivitis, which occurs as a result of a buildup of bacteria in the plaque that forms on teeth. This bacteria can cause gums to become swollen and bleed easily when they’re brushed or flossed. While gingivitis doesn’t always lead to periodontitis, it can and often does if it’s left untreated. Once gum disease begins, it can cause gum and bone to pull away from the teeth and pockets can form. When food accumulates in these pockets, they can become infected. That infection then spreads throughout the gum line and results in teeth becoming loose and, eventually, falling out altogether.
Other Dangers of Gum Disease
As if losing your teeth weren’t bad enough, there are other dangers that go hand in hand with periodontitis. Gum disease has also been linked to heart disease and stroke. In fact, some studies have shown that people who suffer from gum disease are nearly twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease. Studies have shown that gum disease also greatly increases a person’s chances of suffering a stroke.
Licorice Research
Fortunately, medical researchers are making good headway in discovering new and innovative ways of treating gum disease. One of the more intriguing recent studies was published in the American Chemical Society’s “Journal of Natural Products.” In that study, Stefan Gafner and fellow researchers discovered that two compounds found in licorice root, locoricidin and licorisoflavan A, help to reduce the growth of bacteria that can lead to plaque buildup, which is one of the leading causes of gum disease.
While this research may be new to us, the benefits of licorice root have been known and understood for many centuries. In fact, licorice was commonly used in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) to treat everything from sore throats and coughing to liver disorders and food poisoning.But before you rush out to stock up on licorice candy supplies, you should know that most of the licorice candy in the U.S. isn’t flavored with licorice at all. In fact, most of that flavor comes from anise and not licorice root.
While licorice supplements are available in some stores, you should check with your doctor before trying one of these as they can have some nasty side effects.
The Best Defense: A Good Offense
Although it may be some time before the two compounds found in licorice root are used routinely in dental hygiene products, there is still a lot you can do to protect yourself from gum disease. Remember to always take the offense when it comes to fighting off gingivitis and periodontitis, and that means practicing good dental hygiene on a regular basis and visiting your dentist for professional cleanings. After all, the best way to conquer gum disease is to avoid getting it in the first place.
+Robert Milton is a dental health blogger who works for Austin Dental Center, PC, a comprehensive dentist located in Austin, Texas who treats patients of all ages with preventative dental care, mercury-free fillings, teeth whitening, and more. You can find Dr. John Glennon and his dental team at Austin Dental Center, PC, 2304 Hancock Drive #1, Austin, TX 78756, or call (512) 298-1212.
