Alum in Oral Health: Advantages for Gums, Bad Breath, and More
Alum, otherwise referred to as potassium aluminum sulfate. It is a naturally found salt mineral that has been used for centuries due to its multipurpose properties. Although popularly used in pickling and as a styptic agent used for arresting bleeding. Alum is beneficial in a number of ways when used for oral treatment. The following article discusses the oral care advantages of using alum and its influence on gums, bad breath, and oral hygiene in general.
Benefits of Oral Health for Gums
One of the most significant advantages of alum in oral care is its contribution towards good gum health. Alum is astringent and hence contracts the body tissues. Alum is used on the gums to contract the tissues and decrease inflammation and speed up the process of recovery. This is especially helpful for people with gingivitis, a preliminary stage of periodontal disease that involves swollen gums that bleed easily. The astringent property of alum reduces the swelling and bleeding and gives relief and facilitates the recovery of the gums. Alum even makes the gums stronger and more resistant to infection and injury. By using alum as part of your oral care routine, you can ensure that your gums remain healthy, and gingivitis does not develop into periodontal disease.
Fighting Bad Breath
Bad breath, or halitosis, is a problem that many people worry about. It is a result of a number of factors. Such as poor oral health, gum disease, and certain foods. Alum is a good treatment against bad breath as it is antibacterial. Alum kills the bacteria that give people bad breath by lowering the number of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth. Rinsing the mouth with a solution of alum or using an alum-based mouthwash ensures a refreshing breath and feeling of cleanness. In addition, alum neutralizes the volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) that cause bad breath. By combating the cause of bad breath, alum presents a natural and good way of keeping the breath fresh and improving the level of confidence.
Antimicrobial Properties
The antimicrobial action of alum is an important factor in its oral health benefits. It suppresses the growth of diverse bacteria and fungi in the mouth, lessening the risk of infection and creating a more healthy oral condition. It is most valuable in fighting and curing oral infections like the one caused by the bacteria known as Streptococcus mutans that leads to tooth decay. Alum reduces the oral microbial load that keeps the teeth safe from cavities and gum disease as well as other oral problems. Alum is a worthy component of your oral hygiene routine that offers an added layer of protection against pathogenic microorganisms.
Other Possible Benefits
Aside from the advantages outlined earlier, alum potentially possesses other oral health benefits. Alum is reportedly capable of whitening teeth by removing stains from the surface of the teeth. It is even capable of minimizing the sensitivity of the teeth by fortifying the enamel. Also, the astringent nature of alum makes it capable of curtailing plaque as well as tartar production, both of which account for most oral health issues. More evidence is required before it is fully comprehensible how alum is capable of accomplishing such advantages; however, the evidence we already have indicates that alum is a multi-purpose oral care ingredient that is both safe and effective.
How is Alum used in Oral Health?
Alum can be used in a number of ways as part of your oral care practice. One of the ways is by using an alum mouthwash. Homemade mouthwash is easily prepared by mixing a little alum powder with water and gargling with the mixture for 30 seconds. There are commercial mouthwashes that you can buy with alum as one of the ingredients as well. Alum powder is an alternative that you apply directly on the gums. Wet your toothbrush and dip it into alum powder and then brush your gums. You should not overdo the alum, though, as excessive usage might dry up your mouth and cause irritation. It is always advisable to check with your dentist before you start using alum as part of oral care, particularly if you have any oral health issues.
Conclusion
As Alum possesses a variety of oral care benefits such as enhanced gum health, fighting bad breath, and demonstrating antimicrobial action. Due to its astringent and antibacterial nature, alum is an excellent part of any oral hygiene routine. Although one should apply alum in limited amounts and seek the dentist’s advice The evidence does indicate alum as a safe and natural means of ensuring a healthy and fresh mouth.
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