Goldthread, referring to plants in the genus Coptis (such as Coptis chinensis), has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for oral health, particularly in supporting gum health and treating oral infections. The primary bioactive compound in Goldthread is berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid with known antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. In TCM, Goldthread is often included in herbal formulations to "clear heat" and "dry dampness," which are conceptualized as addressing conditions like swollen or bleeding gums and mouth ulcers.

While traditional use is well documented, modern scientific studies directly evaluating Goldthread for gum health (such as in the treatment or prevention of gingivitis or periodontitis) are limited. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest that berberine and related compounds exhibit antimicrobial effects against oral pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans, and may reduce inflammation. However, robust human clinical trials specifically focused on Goldthread or its extracts for gum health are lacking, so the evidence remains primarily traditional, supported by some preliminary pharmacological plausibility.

In summary, the use of Goldthread to support gum health is rooted in traditional herbal medicine practices, with some scientific rationale but limited direct clinical validation. Its efficacy for this purpose is supported more by tradition than by rigorous, high-quality scientific evidence.