Health is a complex term. It is dynamic with so many facets and requirements, but necessary for everyone to live full, happy lives. Oral health is one of those facets that demands care and attention.
Oral health is defined by WHO as the state of having a healthy mouth free of diseases, pain, or discomfort. It is the ability of the mouth to fully function in its capacity and enhance the overall health of the individual. While the WHO is absolutely right in this definition, most people still experience one or more oral health issues from several causes.
Thankfully, the wonder plant Aloe Vera has been discovered to play significant roles in guaranteeing a healthy mouth. Aloe Vera is a plant with elongated leaves and gel-like pulp that can be used as either food or medicine.
The Aloe Vera plant has been in use for hundreds, if not thousands of years. It has been used to heal burns, ulcers, and other skin conditions, as well as treat other ailments such as dermatitis or eczema.
Oral health is not the same as “cleaning your teeth twice a day.” People with healthy teeth and gums usually do not have any problems related to plaque buildup. This means that people will experience few dental issues.
Knowing Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is known as a world-class healer, a plant with so many benefits to health and living. It is common to find an Aloe Vera plant in most homes grown for ornamental and beneficial purposes. The plant can be described as a stem-less plant with fleshy green leaves. It comprises of a hard outer layer and a soft gel or sap.
75 nutrients have been identified in Aloe Vera and they are responsible for the power of this plant.
How can oral health be compromised?
Poor diet
Poor oral hygiene
Trauma to the mouth
Bad lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking
Poor diet and poor oral hygiene can also contribute to dental caries.
Bad lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking may lead to tooth decay and other oral health problems.
At what age should a child begin to visit a dentist?
Children should visit the dentist when they turn 1 year old. There are many benefits to regular dental visits, including healthy teeth and gums, routine check-ups, and identification of potential problems early in life.
As a child’s first visit to the dentist, the appointment offers an opportunity for parents to discuss with their child the importance of creating and maintaining a healthy mouth.
There are many benefits to regular dental visits, including healthy teeth and gums, routine check-ups, and identification of potential problems early in life.
How does dental caries cause health problems?
The true cause of plaque isn’t always immediately understood, and there are a number of different theories. One of them is that bacteria in plaque help dissolve the mineral in teeth and it can lead to cavities.
Damage from tooth decay can include cracked or broken teeth, gum disease, and oral cancer.
Keeping our mouths healthy is crucial because it is a large door leading to our entire body. This means that whatever happens in the mouth can certainly influence other parts of the body. There are several oral diseases or issues that cause discomfort in people. We will discuss them and how aloe vera can help to treat each one.
Dental Plaque
Dental plaque is a sticky, soft mass of bacteria that accumulate on the teeth, gums, tongue, and other areas of the mouth. Dental plaque is formed from saliva, fluids, food particles, and bacteria deposits.
Oral hygiene is a significant aspect of overall dental health, especially if it’s not taken care of. Build-up of plaque can cause gum disease and decay, as well as other oral issues.
Bacteria in dental plaque will become more aggressive when the pH level changes. They can cause irritation and other oral health concerns if left untreated.
Aloe Vera is effective for reducing dental plaque in the mouth and preventing the development of diseases. It does this by killing the bacteria responsible for plaque build-up. They are Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans. The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of Aloe Vera make it efficient in this role.
Practical use: To benefit from this, you can use Aloe Vera juice as a mouthwash regularly.
Canker Sores
Canker sores are painful and unwanted sores that occur in the mouth. They are also called aphthous ulcers. Canker sores develop in soft tissues of the mouth and make it difficult to eat, drink, or talk. They are caused by factors such as injury, eating acidic or unusually spicy foods, health disorders and so on.
Canker sores are highly uncomfortable, but can be treated with Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera has been found to accelerate healing of mouth ulcers.
This healing power is sourced from the anti-inflammatory properties of the Aloe Vera gel. Aloe vera is an extremely powerful herb that has been proven to have many health benefits. It can be used for a variety of conditions including skin diseases, oral diseases, burns, and even heart disease.
A topical application of Aloe Vera gel on mouth ulcers significantly accelerates healing and reduces pain associated with them, as well as protecting against infection and conserving moisture, according to a new study by the Department of Oral Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago.
“Many people have many mouth ulcers on their tongue and around their mouth, especially as we get older,” said Dr. Linda Sperling, professor and department chair at UIC and a co-author on the paper. “We found that if you apply Aloe Vera gel to these ulcers, it speeds healing and reduces pain.” A total of 38 adult patients with oral ulcers will participate in the study and given either an extract of Aloe Vera gel or a placebo to use twice daily for four weeks.
Practical use: Aloe vera can be applied to canker sores and other mouth ulcers as a patch or gel, regularly to reduce pain, inflammation, and accelerate healing
Denture Stomatitis
This is a mild inflammation and redness that affects the soft tissues of the mouth beneath a denture. It is a common condition that can be mild or chronic. Denture stomatitis causes pain and discomfort which limits the ability to eat or move the mouth. It is primarily caused by poor oral hygiene, practiced by people who use dentures.
Also, if the dentures are ill-fitting, the gaps will promote the growth of microorganisms in the mouth. Bacteria and plaque buildup beneath the dentures, and eventually their activities cause an inflammation or immune response.
Aloe Vera is used in dental implants to prevent or reduce such inflammations. It is used to treat the condition and restore balance to the mouth. The antimicrobial properties of Aloe Vera, eliminate the fungus Candida albicans, which is chiefly responsible for denture stomatitis.
Practical use: Aloe Vera can be applied as an adhesive for fitting the dentures, thereby reducing the inflammation. Toothpaste containing Aloe Vera can also be used regularly to treat the condition.
Gum Disease
Gum diseases are mostly known as periodontal disease. They occur when the mouth is overrun by food particles, bacteria, and eventually plaque. Periodontal diseases are caused by poor flossing and brushing habits over a long time. They can take various forms such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
The symptoms include bad breath, swollen gums, loose and sensitive teeth, bleeding gums, and so on. Gingivitis is the first and mildest stage of gum disease, which slowly progresses to periodontitis. Studies that were conducted to test the effect of Aloe Vera on gum disease found that the plant can exhibit several inhibitory properties that help to heal the diseases.
Aloe vera stops the progression of gum disease, kills the microorganisms responsible, and cleanses the blood of any effects. Aloe vera’s anti-inflammatory properties help to stop the inflammation that is one of the crucial processes in gum disease.
These properties also slow down the progression of periodontitis by stopping the destruction of cells which causes gum recession.
The anti-inflammatory property can be attributed to its ability to reduce the production of inflammatory chemical messenger such as prostaglandin E2 and cytokines. Aloe Vera is also a potential adjuvant in the treatment of gum diseases.
Aloe Vera can help with periodontal inflammation because it reduces prostaglandins and cytokines, keeping inflammation to a minimum.
Practical use: The plant can be used as a patch to treat the condition. Aloe Vera products such as the juice, toothpaste, and others when used regularly can provide the healing effects.
Side Effects
Aloe Vera is a plant that makes it a natural resource. It has no side effects when used orally to treat any diseases.
Aloe Vera is an amazing plant that has been used to treat numerous diseases and ailments. It has also been used as a natural resource to produce various products such as lotions, creams, and other skin care products.
Aloe Vera is a plant that contains antioxidants, and it can help you fight off the effects of aging and sun exposure. It is a natural resource, and it has no side effects when used orally to treat any diseases.
Aloe Vera is an amazing plant that has been used by people to treat numerous diseases and ailments. Aloe Vera contains antioxidants and can help you fight off the effects of aging and sun exposure.
Learning More
Aloe Vera Green is the home of information and news on this amazing healing plant. Keep up with our posts, products, and update to learn more about how Aloe Vera can add value to your life.
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Bibliography
Academy of General Dentistry. (2009, July 28). Tooth Gel: Healing Power Of Aloe Vera Proves Beneficial For Teeth And Gums, Too. ScienceDaily
Mangaiyarkarasi, S. P., Manigandan, T., Elumalai, M., Cholan, P. K., & Kaur, R. P. (2015). Benefits of Aloe vera in dentistry. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences, 7 (Suppl 1), S255-9.
Leech, J. (2017, August 1). “What are the benefits of aloe vera?.” Medical News Today.