12 Essential Oils for Dog Gum Disease

If WebMD stats are anything to go by, 80% of dogs develop some kind of gum disease by their 3^rd birthday.

The problem with this notorious disease is that it starts subtly. Most pet parents never really see it coming until it is quite advanced.

By the time they notice it, their fur babies would have missing teeth, eroded gums, chronic pain, and bone loss. However, you don’t have to let things get out of hand.

There are plenty of treatment options you can utilize before gum disease devastates your pooch. These include supplements, probiotics, herbs, and essential oils.

In this guide, we will zoom in on the last option.

The popularity of essential oils has surged over the past few decades. These potent liquids have been around since the ancient ages but have become more popular in recent years as more people are shifting from chemical-based forms of healing to holistic alternatives.

In particular, proponents of natural health are concerned that conventional health products are formulated with a wide range of dangerous chemicals that may hinder the natural body functions, particularly the endocrine system.

The shift to essential oils is, therefore, fueled by the fact that these forms of holistic medicine may not pose such risks to the body.

For instance, unlike conventional health products, essential oils don’t seem to have resistant properties or lose their efficacy over time.

Many essential oils have been proven to offer amazing oral benefits to both humans and pets, including preventing tooth decay and treating gum disease.

Essentially, these oils have antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties, making them effective for treating gum diseases and other oral health problems in humans and canines.

With over 3,000 known essential oils, there are endless options to choose from, especially when it comes to picking the best oil for your pup’s gum disease.

To make your work easier, here is a quick overview of the top 12 essential oils for dog gum disease.

1. Peppermint

Peppermint has been used throughout history to cure a plethora of medical complications.

Humans and their pets utilize it to alleviate a wide range of oral issues including gum disease.

It is the number one herb with a potent formula that’s better than the most powerful mouthwash in the market.

This magic essential oil fights gum disease-causing bacteria in your dog’s oral cavity.

With both microbial and anti-bacterial properties, the oil remains to be one of the best as far as dog oral health is concerned.

2. Coriander

Coriander oil is mainly used for cooking but it has uses beyond the kitchen. These range from calming effects in aromatherapy to healing aches, skin concerns, and aches.

The oil also has anti-fungal, antiseptic, and detoxifying properties and can soothe toothaches in humans and dogs.

Plus, it bears a sweet, fresh scent that makes it a great breath freshener.

If applied to a dog’s gums, the oil will fight bacteria hence getting rid of bad odor.

If your dog has bad breath because of gum disease, trust coriander to restore the canine’s fresh breath once again.

3. Cardamom

If you know a thing or two about Cardamom, you are probably aware of its delightful flavor.

When used in baking, it transforms the taste of your food like no other spice.

Turns out the oil extracted from the leaves of the herb has medicinal properties as well.

Ancient Egyptians used to clean their teeth with it, thanks to its anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties.

It can fight bad breath by attacking bacteria present in your doggie’s mouth.

The oil may also fight cancer, protect against chronic diseases, help with digestive issues, treat infections, and lower blood sugar.

4. Clove

Gum disease can cause a great deal of pain for your dog. Clove oil has been shown to offer pain relief.

Ancient Chinese and Indian medical experts used the oil to relieve tooth pain.

It has a compound referred to as eugenol, which is commonly used for periodontal therapy, root canal therapy, and to treat abscesses in humans.

The compound acts as an antibacterial and anesthetic agent.

The oil itself has both antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it soothes aching and inflamed gums brought about by gum disease. 

5. Neem oil

Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of an evergreen tree by the name of neem or Azadirachta Indica.

It has a strong odor that smells like garlic mixed with peanut.

It contains two triterpenoids—Azadirachtin and Nimbin—both of which combine to make the oil a powerful antifungal, antiseptic, antihistamine, and antipyretic.

According to this study, neem oil also has antioxidant properties that improve the immune response in mouth and gum tissues.

This makes it great for treating mouth ulcers, relieving pain, and treating tooth decay. 

6. Myrrh

Here’s another essential oil that has been used to treat a range of diseases for millennia.

The reddish-brown sap derived from Commiphora myrrha was used by ancient Egyptians to embalm mummies.

Not only does it give the dead body a nice scent but it also slows down its decay.

The oil has great antimicrobial properties and kills bacteria from every part of the body including the mouth.

It also treats oral infections and brings down inflammations caused by gum disease.

The oil can also stimulate the growth of new gum tissue.

7. Thyme

Thyme is a common ingredient in mouthwashes and elixirs.

The chemical thymol contained in thyme has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and is effective in fighting infections.

It protects the tooth against gingivitis, tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections.

Furthermore, it gives freshness and flavor to oral treatments.

Thymol also neutralizes certain fungal, viral, and parasitic infections giving a wholesome solution to oral health issues.

8. Oregano

The number one cause of gum disease is the buildup of bacteria that brushing doesn’t get rid of.

The bacteria cause the formation of plaque which makes a habitable spot for more bacteria that end up weakening the gums and teeth.

Oregano has anti-bacterial properties that fight off the bacteria.

Used in minimal doses, the oil will eradicate the bacteria present in your pup’s mouth.

Oregano also delivers the second benefit of boosting the canine’s immune system, which is a huge bonus for the dog’s general health.

Finally, it also has pain-killing properties which can come in handy if the canine has pain from gum disease.

9. Cinnamon oil

The cinnamon spice is a staple in many kitchens. It is sweet without being overpowering.

Cinnamon oil has the same sweet fragrance as a spice and has been known to deliver great health benefits concerning oral health.

Studies have shown that cinnamon oil has antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic properties. This makes it a powerful ally when combating gum disease in dogs.

It is particularly effective against Candida ssp biofilm and Streptococcus mutans – the two agents responsible for most oral cavity infections.

10. Frankincense

Frankincense also dates more than three thousand years ago as a powerful essential oil for oral health.

According to a study published in the DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the oil can decrease inflammation caused by gingivitis – a periodontal gum disease.

It has antiseptic properties that fight bacteria in the mouth notorious for causing tooth decay, plaque, and bad breath.

11. Lemon oil

Lemon is one of those things that find uses everywhere. From cooking to treating gum disease to keeping the house fresh, the citrus fruit is nature’s magical cure.

The oil extracted from lemon peels is used to fight bacteria that cause tooth decay and receding gums.

It can also stimulate the formation of tissues that support healthy gums. 

12. Sage

Finally, you can also use sage to treat gum disease in dogs.

Like many essential oils on this list, it has antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties and can destroy and fight the growth of bacteria inside the pup’s mouth.

Sage also accelerates the healing of wounds in the oral cavity and reduces swelling and bleeding of gums.

How to Use Essential Oils Effectively

Essential oils can be toxic to your pet if used incorrectly. There are a few cautionary guidelines to follow for his safety.

• Essential oils are often sold singularly—one ingredient per bottle—though it is also common to find oil blend products. Unfortunately, FDA doesn’t regulate their efficacy or safety. So, before settling on an essential oil or blend, do meticulous research on its safety. Not all essential oils are safe for dogs and some may hurt your canine companion when applied directly on the skin.    

• Do not use any essential on dogs less than 10 weeks of age. His liver is not fully developed and is thus unable to process certain compounds in essential oils. Similarly, cats should never be given essential oils. They do not possess the right liver enzymes to process essential oils.

• Do dilute your essential oil blends according to your vet’s recommendations. Elderly, sick, and younger dogs need further dilutions.

• If you are not sure how to effectively dilute an essential oil for your dog’s gums, use a pre-formulated option—they make cleaning your pup’s teeth and gums quick and seamless. Just ensure that they are free from alcohols, which can be toxic for dogs.

• Always ensure that you use high-quality, organic, therapeutic-grade essential oils. If you are in doubt of the quality of an essential oil you are about to use on your dog, talk to your vet for a more professional input.  

• Be slow in introducing essential oils. You don’t want to shock your dog’s system

• Avoid using essential oils near the eyes, genital area, nose, and anus.

Final Thoughts

Does your dog have gum disease? Essential oils can take care of the problem to a greater extent.

Since they are natural, you don’t have to worry about introducing harsh chemicals into your doggie’s system.

As long as you stay away from harmful oils such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and Ylang-ylang, your dog will enjoy harmless and effective treatment methods.