Oral diseases are very common. Many of the patients fail to maintain proper oral hygiene. Consequently, they develop oral diseases like ulcers, bleeding gums and stomatitis. Although these diseases are not fatal to a great extent, they cause discomfort and embarrassment in public. Bad breath, pain, swelling and bleeding in the gums are some common symptoms of these diseases.

These diseases can be cured by allopathic means. However, homeopathic treatment is safer, cheaper and effective. You don’t need to take up expensive and invasive treatments. Here are some homeopathic remedies for oral diseases like Aphthae, Ulcers, bleeding gums and Ulcers:

Borax: This is useful in treating apthous inflammation of the mouth. Aphthae refers to the occurrence of small white spots and ulcers on the mucous membrane of the mouth. It is caused due to fungal infection. It can be cured by the use of Borax mixed with honey. In case the patient suffers flat ulcers, soreness and salivation, mercurius is given. In acute cases of violent inflammation, aurum is prescribed.

Baptisia: This medicine is prescribed for treating bleeding gums. If the patient is found to have developed ulcerated gums, cracked tongue and excessively bad breath, Baptisia can be given to them. The colour of the blood oozing out should be dark red.

Nitric Acid: It is given to patients with whitish gums, acrid saliva and experiencing prickling pain. This is also good for patients with deep bluish ulcers and swollen salivary glands.

Mercurius Solubius: It helps in healing ulcers and cures the pain. One can consume Merc Sol 30c three times a day for 2 to 3 days. It stops the re-occurrence of ulcers.

Arsenicum: It can be prescribed to patients with sloughing ulcers. It is given to patients suffering from livid or bluish gums. If the patient suffers from canker sores, salicylic acid can be given.

Kerosote: If a patient finds that black blood is oozing out of his or her gums, kerosote can be given to them. This helps in clotting of the blood quickly. This is prescribed for patients with dark and crumbling teeth and putrid mouth.

Carbo Veg: This is given to patients who suffer from bleeding gums. If the patient notices blood oozing out from the gums while brushing, white tongue and general weakness, this medicine can be prescribe. It improves the process of oxygenation of blood.

Phosphorus: This is the medicine for pregnant women. Sometimes, pregnant women suffer from bleeding gums due to hormonal imbalance. Phosphorus helps in curing the adverse effects of pregnancy hormones on the gums and oral region.

Calcarea Carb: It cures bleeding gums. It is given to patients, who suffer from dry tongue at night.

Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health problems, such as:

Darkened teeth. Caused, to some extent, by changes in dentin -- the bone-like tissue that underlies the tooth enamel -- and by a lifetime of consuming stain-causing foods beverages.
Dry mouth. It is caused by reduced saliva flow, which can be a result of cancer treatments as well as certain diseases medication side effects. Many medicines can cause dry mouth.
Diminished sense of taste. While advancing age impairs the sense of taste, diseases, medications, dentures can also contribute to this sensory loss.
Root decay. This is caused by exposure of the tooth root to decay-causing acids.
Gum disease. Caused by plaque made worse by food left in teeth, use of tobacco products, poor-fitting bridges and dentures, poor diets, and certain diseases, such as anemia, cancer, and diabetes, this is often a problem for older adults.
Tooth loss. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss.
Uneven jawbone. This is caused by tooth then not replacing missing teeth. This allows the rest of the teeth to drift and shift into open spaces
Denture-induced stomatitis. Ill-fitting dentures, poor dental hygiene, or a buildup of the fungus candida cause this condition, which is inflammation of the tissue underlying a denture.
Thrush. Diseases or drugs that affect the immune system can trigger the overgrowth of the fungus candida in mouth

Age in and of itself is not a dominant or sole factor in determining oral health. However, certain medical conditions, such as arthritis in the hands and fingers, may make brushing or flossing teeth difficult to impossible to perform. Drugs can also affect oral health and may make a change in your dental treatment necessary.

Oral hygiene tips for seniors:

Daily brushing flossing of natural teeth is essential to keeping them in good oral health. Plaque can build up quickly on the teeth of seniors, especially if oral hygiene is neglected, & lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

To maintain good oral health, it's important for all individuals -- regardless of age -- to:


Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste


Floss at least once a day
Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice a day
Visit our team of experience dentist at smile up dental care implant center on a regular schedule for cleaning an oral exam. We will be very happy to serve you.

What seniors can expect during a dental exam

If you're a senior headed for a check up, our dentistry team will conduct a thorough history dental exam to provide you with the best solutions to resolve the problems from its root cause. Questions asked during a dental history will include:


The approximate date of your last dental visit and reason for the visit
If you have noticed any recent changes in your mouth
If you have noticed any loose or sensitive teeth
If you have noticed any difficulty tasting, chewing, or swallowing
If you have any pain, discomfort, sores, or bleeding in your mouth
If you have noticed any lumps, bumps, or swellings in your mouth

During an oral exam, our experience team of dentists will check the following: your face & neck (for skin discoloration, moles, sores); your bite (for any problems in how the teeth come together while opening closing your mouth); your jaw (for signs of clicking and popping in the temporomandibular joint); your lymph nodes salivary glands (for any sign of swelling or lumps); your inner cheeks (for infections, ulcers, traumatic injuries); your tongue and other interior surfaces -- floor of the mouth, soft and hard palate, gum tissue (for signs of infection or oral cancer); and your teeth (for decay, condition of fillings, and cracks).

If you wear dentures or other appliances, our dentist team will ask a few questions about when you wear your dentures and when you take them out (if removable). He or she will also look for any irritation or problems in the areas in the mouth that the appliance touches, and examine the denture or appliance itself (looking for any worn or broken areas).

Also known as the 'queen of herbs', holy basil or tulsi makes for the most sacred herb in India. It is widely used in culinary practices. For ages, it has been known for its medicinal uses in Ayurveda that makes it an effective remedy for several ailments. According to the book Healing Foods by DK Publishing, holy basil contains a range of natural antioxidants that can help protect the body tissues against free-radical damage. Tulsi in all forms- dried, fresh and powdered has several healing properties. Chewing on a few tulsi leaves regularly can be super beneficial for you, but did you know sipping on tulsi tea can be even better?
Here are some reasons why you should definitely skip sipping on your regular tea and instead opt for tulsi tea-

1. Prevents Respiratory Disorders

Tulsi tea helps prevent certain respiratory illnesses ranging from cold and cough to bronchitis and asthma. It has immunomodulatory (helps to enhance immunity), antitussive (helps relieving cough) and expectorant (helps in expelling out the phlegm) properties that provide relief in the respiratory system. It has certain oils that help relieve congestion too.

2. Beats Stress

According to quite some studies, tulsi tea helps in maintaining normal levels of cortisol hormone in the body that is known as the stress hormone. It lowers the levels of cortisol, leaving you stress-free. In fact, it is known to subside various symptoms of depression, which may include anxiety.

3. Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

Move over the regular milk tea and opt for this one as it helps lower the blood sugar levels significantly. Daily intake of tulsi tea may also help facilitate metabolism of carbs and fats, further ensuring that the sugar in the blood is utilized for energy.

4. Maintains Dental and Oral health

The presence of anti-microbial properties in tulsi tea help combat against harmful bacteria and germs in the mouth. Acting as a mouth freshener, it may curb bad breath too.

5. May Prove To Be Great For Patients With Arthritis

According to the book Healing Foods, Eugenol, a constituent of the oil in the basil has an anti-inflammatory effect on joints and the digestive tract.

How to make the perfect tulsi tea (Tulsi tea recipe)?
Tulsi tea is simple to make; all you need to do is to take a cup of water in a pan and add 2-3 basil leaves in it and bring it a boil. Let the water absorb its colour and flavour. After about three minutes, strain the tea in a glass. You can drink this tea as it is or add a teaspoon of honey and a half teaspoon of lemon juice in it for extra flavour and benefits. In fact, you can also add cardamom and ginger while preparing the tea.

So, go ahead and make some amazing tulsi tea for yourself and ensure a healthy and fit self!

We often see toothpaste brands launching products with salt in them. The general idea is that a salt-enriched toothpaste is better for the teeth and overall dental hygiene. Cashing in on the same belief, some brands have been selling salt toothpastes. However, despite all the hype about salt as the ultimate dental superhero, it has some serious side effects too.

High-sodium foods have been pegged as key to poor dental hygiene and health. So what's the truth? Is salt really good for your teeth or is it another ingredient that has been promoted by big brands, just so there product sells?In the recent years, 'alternative' toothpastes have been gaining traction. These toothpastes are prepared from ingredients that are thought to be good for the teeth which include baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), coconut oil, cinnamon and even charcoal, besides of course, salt. A lot of people are switching to preparing homemade toothpastes using these ingredients.

Although all these ingredients have been claimed to be effective against dental problems like cavities and caries, salt has been the most controversial one. Also Read: Signs You Are Not Getting Enough Salt; Keep A Check!

Salt For Healthy Teeth

Salt has been a part of dental care regime for ages now. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water is considered a good practice and our grandparents still recommend the same. Salt water mouthwash is given to patients of gum swelling or infections and also after oral surgeries because it is a natural disinfectant.

Salt was also one of the key ingredients in ancient tooth cleaning powders as it was considered an effective yet mild abrasive that could remove stains and dirt from teeth. However, it's advised not to rub too much salt on your teeth too often, as that might erode the enamel. Moreover, salt has been known to temporarily increase the pH levels of your mouth, making it difficult for the bacteria to thrive.

Harmful Effects Of Salt-Rich Foods On Teeth

Although using salt in your dental care regime might be beneficial, excessive salt in your diet might be a bad idea. A sodium-rich diet may not just lead to overall health problems; it's bad for oral health too. That's because more often than not, high sodium foods also tend to be rich in sugars, which are ultimately bad for health. Junk foods often tend to be high in both and hence, must be avoided for good dental hygiene. Also Read: 8 Genius Tricks to Reduce Excess Salt in Curries

How Effective Are Salt Toothpastes?

According to UP-based dentist Dr. Deepali Deshwal, most commercially produced toothpastes have the same composition and even the ones with salt in them aren't really capable of making your teeth stronger. "Salt is not a very effective teeth whitener either", she says, adding, "Its major role in dental health is disinfecting the mouth, so abrasive bacteria are not able to grow.

This is why we tell our patients to rinse the mouth with salt water after any treatment." Dr. Deshwal says that good dental practices like brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and eating healthy are good enough to keep your teeth in good condition.

Picture this: You bite into an apple and see a red patch on the bitten part. Embarrassing much? Take another instance; you are brushing your teeth and as you spit out the paste, you see a hint of blood in the sink. Your bleeding gums may be a cause of worry; seeing blood oozing out of your gums is not normal. Bleeding gums can be one of the indications of a gum disease; therefore, it is important to take care of not just your pearly whites, but also your gums that hold them firmly. Here's everything you'd want to know about bleeding gums and home remedies to keep them healthy.What Causes Bleeding Gums?

Bleeding gums can be caused due to the following factors:
-An unhygienic mouth can be home to various bacteria, which can lead to plaque build-up on your gum line. The accumulation of plaque on your gums can cause gingivitis, which in turn can cause inflammation and bleeding in the gums.
-Vitamin C and vitamin K deficiencies in the body can also cause bleeding gums.
-Infection in the gum may also cause your gums to bleed.
-Hormonal changes during pregnancy may also be one of the reasons.
-Poor oral hygiene is the basis of all the diseases in gums and teeth.
-Excessive use of tobacco may also be harmful for your gums.
-Last, but not the least, poor eating habits can be one of the causes of bleeding gums.

Symptoms of Bleeding Gums

Some of the symptoms of bleeding gums may include:
-Loosening of teeth
-Inflamed gums
-Bad breath
-In some cases, formation of pus around the gums.
- Swollen gums

Home Remedies for Bleeding Gums
We suggest some natural remedies for bleeding gums that you must keep handy:
1. Salt water rinse

Salt has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that help reduce the swelling and combat infections that cause bleeding gums. All you need is warm water and some salt; mix the two and rinse your mouth thoroughly with the solution. Use it at least two to three times a day.

2. Honey

Take some raw honey on your fingertips and massage on your gums gently. Honey has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help kill the bacteria causing bleeding gums. Make sure you apply honey on your gums regularly.

3. Cranberry juice

Take some unsweetened cranberry juice and drink it on a daily basis. Cranberry comprises phenolic acids and anthocyanins, which are known to have anti-microbial properties that help keep your teeth and gums off the harmful bacteria.

4. Oil pulling

Oil pulling is a process of swishing some oil in your mouth to help fight infections that cause your gums to bleed. Rinse with coconut oil or sesame oil to ensure that your mouth is wary of harmful bacterial growth.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric has long been known to help heal infections; thanks to its therapeutic properties. Its curcumin compound is said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that help stop the gums from bleeding. All you need to do is mix some turmeric and mustard oil together and massage the mixture gently on your gums.