There are so many products out there these days for maintaining our teeth and gums, filled with hundreds of different chemicals and ingredients, it can sometimes be difficult to know what’s best for you. But it doesn’t have to be so complicated.
To find out more about holistic dentistry and natural teeth care, speak with a biological dentist. we wanted to look at some of the best natural ways you can keep your mouth feeling fresh and looking its best.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an Indian folk remedy that has been used for thousands of years to whiten teeth, freshen breath, and improve oral health.
To oil pull, a tablespoon of high-quality edible oil (coconut oil is a popular choice) is swished around the mouth for 20 minutes before being spat out. This process gathers up the nasty bacteria and toxins lurking inside your mouth, pulling them from your teeth, gums and tongue and stopping them from sticking back.
The mouth is filled with hundreds of types of different bacteria, and while they aren’t all bad, a lot of them will contribute to bad breath and plaque development. Maintaining a regular oil pulling routine can help keep these bacteria in check.
Eat Mineral-Rich Foods
The enamel layers on your teeth are constantly changing, adding and losing minerals daily. To help keep your teeth naturally strong you need to ensure they are receiving more minerals than they lose.
This process is called remineralisation, and the best way to maintain the cycle is to eat a diet rich in minerals.
Some of the best mineral-rich foods include:
- Yoghurt and cheese
- Eggs
- Dark leafy greens, such as spinach and kale
- Shellfish
- Grass-fed meat and poultry
- Organic bone broth
Sip on Green Tea
Not only does green tea contain significantly less sugar than soft drinks and juices, but the antioxidants in the tea also actively work to reduce the accumulation of dental plaque, resulting in whiter teeth, and regulate the acidity of saliva in the mouth, meaning tooth enamel stays strong. Heck, herbal and green teas can even be used to help ease other oral issues such as lockjaw.
Don’t like the taste of tea? Well, one study suggests that rinsing with green tea extract may help keep your teeth from getting eroded, so you don’t even have to drink the stuff! Just rinse your mouth for three minutes each night with unflavoured, room-temperature green tea and you’ll feel the benefits.
Employ Essential Oils
These days essential oils are all the rage, from aromatherapy for a calmer mind, to glowing skincare routines. But did you know these oils can also be used to help promote a beautiful, healthy mouth? Just add a drop to a glass of water to make a rinse or apply directly to your toothbrush.
Some of the best essential oils for a fresh mouth include:
- Clove: Clinical research shows clove oil is one of the best natural remedies for relieving tooth pain, reducing infection and healing gum disease!
- Tea Tree: Known for its ability to kill bacteria, tea tree oil is a fantastic natural remedy for bad breath.
- Basil: With its excellent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Basil essential oil can be used to reduce plaque and gingivitis.
With all that said, this dentist in Manchester MO recommends consulting a dental expert first to ensure that your chosen natural routine is safe for your teeth.