Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 11/27/2008:

It seems that there is certain unknown bacteria that prevents gums from going back. Take for instance certain kinds of bacteria, such as staphylococcus, which in certain cases are flesh eating. It is therefore of no surprise that gums should be receding if there were some bacteria hidden on the surface of the gum and not tartar. These may not form tartar, but creates biofilm that allow colonies to exist and prevents gums from normalizing.

It should also be noted that the receding gums turned to normal of that woman, not just the zinc chloride preparations added to the toothpaste, but I find a weak solution of milk of magnesia is used as a mouthwash, such as 1 tablespoon per half glass of water. Staphylococcus is generally killed at pH of 9 or above, so the Milk of magnesia at pH of 10 (8% solution) would kill them too. A supplement of magnesium citrate 500 mg per day (do not use magnesium oxide - they are useless, and magnesium carbonate - they are not water soluble and hence low bioavailability).

While vitamin C 500 mg does help, certain gum disease such as receding gums, I have found niacinamide vitamin B3 (100-250 mg every other day for a month plus weekly b complex for a month roughly speaking) to be particular useful in healing the gums, as well as magnesium (magnesium citrate or magnesium chloride) , and some zinc supplements such as a weekly zinc gluconate 50 mg, for a couple of weeks, before phasing off to once a month, for 2-3 months before, taking whenever it is needed.

It should be noted that the healthier you are the less the supplements you need. Still, if you are sick, you can't take certain supplements everyday as some do accumulate, with possible exception of B complex, vitamin C which are water soluble.

To prevent bacteria from forming inside the mouth, it is common that saliva pH is acid, which prevents gums from healing and is a fertile ground for bacteria. Ideally a saliva pH should be near 7.3 pH. Unfortunately our diets are low in potassium (bananas don't help for some reason - perhaps the sugar content), and hence potassium citrate (technical name is tripotassium citrate) is taken along with baking soda, such as 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda plus 1/4 teaspoon of potassium citrate in 1/2 glass of water. The older you get the less the body's ability of potassium is retained, and bicarbonates too. Therefore oral pH tends to be more acid, which worsen the problem and has to be supplemented, discouraging bacteria growth and biofilms on the teeth preventing gums from healing.

It should be noted that commercial toothpaste preparation is really behind the times. They should have zinc, magnesium and a pH relatively high to really have a dent. The use of sodium lauryl sulfate often encourages fungal growth. Therefore to get around some of the problems of nonexistent zinc in the market (possible exception if Lavoris mouthwash, which has 0.1% zinc chloride last I remembered them) is to use zinc lozenges instead BETWEEN brushings, or mixed with toothpaste preparations. The milk of magnesia 1 tablespoon per 1/2 glass for example, can be used as a mouthwash preparation, which can be rinsed with water after doing it a couple of times. The use of Hydrogen peroxide is an interesting one as a mouthwash, however, its effect is short term, reducing only the number of bacteria colonies. Zinc mouthwash and zinc preparations in tooth leaves s thin zinc film to the surfaces of the teeth and last much longer on its antiseptic effect.

My experience is proper supplement and oral care mentioned the gums should normalized in about 3 months' time.

Ted