Advanced Naturopathic Case Taking: Naturopathic Evaluation Tools: Mouth and Gums

Question 1

Dry lips:

Answer 1

• Can be associated with:
  o Dehydration
  o Excess heat (often stomach heat —perhaps associated with an excess of spicy food, sugar, alcohol)
  o B2, B3or folate deficiency.

Question 2

Angular stomatitis / cheilitis:

Answer 2

• Reddened cracking and scaling in the corners of the mouth.
• This may occur as a result of:
  o Deficiencies: Iron, B vitamins.
  o Infections (fungi, bacteria) ↓ immunity
  o Bite issues causing ‘drooling’
• TS: Calc sulph, kali sulph. And / or silica.

Question 3

Normal / healthy

Answer 3

• Pale red surface, sharp, well-defined margins between teeth and gums, shallow crevices between gums and teeth.

Question 4

Bleeding (also receding gums):

Answer 4

• Vitamin C deficiency and / or zinc
• CoQ10 deficiency
• See a dental hygienist regularly
• Pull daily with organic coconut oil for two minutes, and brush your teeth after.

Question 5

Periodontal disease

Answer 5

• Often from untreated gingivitis
• High sugar / meat / dairy
• Low bioflavonoids, zinc and CoQ10.

Question 6

Pale mucous membranes:

Answer 6

• Iron deficiency.

Question 7

Greyish mucous membranes:

Answer 7

• Biotin deficiency.