Gum disease. Known to dentists as gingivitis, is one of those afflictions that drives doctors and dentists crazy. Why? Because in most cases, it is entirely preventable. If you take good care of your teeth and gums, you will probably never have to deal with the pain, the expense, or the other problems to which gum disease can sometimes lead.

Gingivitis gets its start when bacteria move into the area around your gums. If the bacteria are not cleaned out, they can move below the gum line and start to form thin film. Within a few days, you have a buildup of a multi bacterial gunk called plaque. Add some minerals from your saliva to the mix, and you end up with a hard-to-remove substance called tartar.

In some people, years of plaque and tartar buildup can lead to a bacterial infection of the gums. Their gums, which had been pink, firm, and healthy, become red and puffy, and they bleed easily when brushed.

For some people, the infection can move from the gums down into the connective tissue and bone that hold the teeth in their mouths. And as if that is not bad enough, gingivitis might grow into dreaded periodonitis, which can eventually cause both losses.

Tea Tree Oil as a Treatment for Gum Diseases

The central gum disease prevention premise is a good dental hygiene, which means keeping your teeth and mouth clean.

This is nowhere near as simple as it sounds. The mouth is a paradise for bacteria and germs. All the nooks and crannies between your teeth are perfect bacteria hiding spots. When you add in all the food that gets chomped and stuck between your molars, it is easy to see why mouth maintenance is no snap.

But there is another way to treat gum diseases aside from working out a hygienic routine for the mouth. Though having a clean mouth is the most important preventive step you can take to thwart gum disease, it is not your only defense. Topical treatments such as tea tree oil can be a strong shield as well.

Tea tree oil is an indispensable oil extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant inherent to Australia. This type of oil is known to have useful medical and aesthetic properties. It has also some antifungal and antiseptic function. Hence, it can notably cure and treat gum diseases.

Tea tree oil is a recognized antiseptic, antifungal, and bacterial agent. It has been known to effectively fight against multiple bacteria in the gums and other areas in the skin. Tea tree oil's ability to kill bacteria is the number one reasons why it has been considered as a treatment for gum diseases.

Tea tree oil contains substances, known as terpenoids, which can effectively treat infections. These substances were also proven most effective in rendering antifungal and antiseptic functions.

However, studies show that tea tree oil should not be taken orally since it can be poisonous when taken by mouth. Research shows that even a few drops or small amounts (as little as a few teaspoons) can be unsafe. That is why its safety is exclusively patterned to external applications.

In fact, even if tea tree oil is applied externally, some cases of allergic reactions and irritations were still noted.

On the other hand, since tea tree oil is an effective antibacterial element, manufacturers of oral hygiene products have decided to use tea tree oil as an important element in their products. No wonder why tea tree oil is a popular substance known to make toothpastes more effective means of treating gum diseases.

Reports can statistically prove that tea tree oil is safe when combined with other substances included in oral hygiene products such as toothpastes. Though, it should never be ingested.

Indeed, tea tree oil as a treatment for gum disease still requires a lot of studies and experiments to prove its safety and potency. While this is still the case, it is best to consult your dentists before taking any medications or treatments containing tea tree oil.