Bee Propolis & Your Gums
Bees are essential for life as we know it, but probably the association between bees and dentistry, more specifically bees and Gum Disease is not something we would expect. Bees are more than just honey honey! In addition to this liquid gold, they also produce a wonderful, homeopathic ingredient called Bee Propolis.
Bee propolis is a resin-like substance has many different names, such as Apis Mellifera, Bee Glue or Beeswax Acid and can come in a variety of colours and textures. The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians have been using Bee Propolis for centuries but research on its chemical composition and properties only began after World War II. [1] It is made from the shoots and saps of different plants and helps create the structure of the beehive. Due to the diverse range of species used by bees all over the world no two harvests of Bee Propolis from hives will be the same and has featured in many different ancient remedies for inflammation and as an antibacterial agent. [2] [3]
This is great news for the whole body generally as Bee Propolis has countless uses, but especially good for the 9 out of 10 of us suffering from some form of gum inflammation and the 45% of the UK population who are suffering from mild to severe Gum Disease [4]
Gum Disease is caused by bacteria which is present in plaque, the sticky soft substance that can sometimes be seen in the area where the gum meets the tooth. Plaque is easily removed with a good consistent oral care routine at home, but if plaque can sit undisturbed in these areas for too long it can cause gingivitis and ultimately Gum Disease.
Bee Propolis has been found to have a direct antibacterial effect on the bacteria present in plaque which causes Gum Disease [5] and by direct antibacterial effect we mean annihilate! It has also been shown that Bee Propolis can significantly reduce bleeding at sites where Gum Disease is active. [6] Buzz me up to heaven!
This wonder product also has anti-inflammatory properties and since Gum Disease and Gingivitis are inflammatory disorders this is also amazing news. [7]
If all this isn’t enough, there is also evidence to suggest that Bee Propolis can help prevent dental cavities, help with wound healing after dental surgery and tooth sensitivity. [8]
It’s important to mention that as Bee Propolis is derived from bees it isn’t suitable if you are allergic to bees or bee by-products including honey, conifers, poplars, peru balsam, and salicylates. There is also evidence to suggest that Bee Propolis may also not be suitable for people with Asthma or bleeding disorders as it may slow blood clotting. For this reason, it is also recommended that you stop taking Bee Propolis 2 weeks before any surgery or a dental extraction. Taking Bee Propolis is also not recommended during pregnancy or while breast feeding. [2] Bee Propolis is available in liquid or capsule form and should only be taken as directed by the manufacturer.
Manuka Honey, also derived from bees, can also be of benefit to patients who have Gum Disease. Manuka Honey is a type of honey that is native to New Zealand and is made from the flowers of the Manuka bush. [9] Unlike regular honey, taking Manuka Honey daily is thought to have antibacterial and antimicrobial effects against the bacteria found in plaque that is associated with Gum Disease. In addition to this it is thought that this amazing honey can actually prevent Gum Disease bacteria colonising areas of the mouth. [10] Pretty Sweet. Unfortunately though, if you are allergic to honey, Manuka Honey is not for you.
All in all, there may be some method in the madness of using Bee Propolis and Manuka Honey to help treat gum inflammation and Gum Disease. New studies are carried out on this subject all the time with really interesting results, however you should always check with your doctor before starting any supplements or homeopathic remedies and any of the above should be in addition to a gold standard oral hygiene routine as outlined by your Hygienist or Dentist. They’re good yes, but they’re not magic. Bee Propolis and Manuka Honey are available at health food shops, some larger supermarkets and online.
If you would like a Dental Hygiene appointment, you can visit me at Moira Cosmetic Dental or Bupa Dental Care Glengormley or follow me on Instagram @homegirlhygienist
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1. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/964149/ accessed 29/3/19
2. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-390/propolis accessed 29/3/19
3. http://ologyjournals.com/jdsomr/jdsomr_00014.pdf accessed 29/3/19
4. http://www.bsperio.org.uk/patients/ accessed 8/4/19
5. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022034518758034 accessed 29/3/19
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22945731 accessed 29/3/19
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4500791/ accessed 29/3/19
8. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ejhs/article/view/175557 accessed 29/3/19
9. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/manuka-honey-uses-benefits accessed 8/4/19
10. http://www.ijcmr.com/uploads/7/7/4/6/77464738/ijcmr_913_sep_14.pdf accessed 8/4/19
