Let’s face it, maintaining your oral health in a world inundated with processed foods, sugary beverages, and artificial oral hygiene products has become increasingly difficult.
Sure, you brush your teeth at least twice a day. Maybe you see your dentist on a (semi) “regular” basis. But like they say in those cheesy home shopping network commercials, there’s just gotta be a better way! Fortunately for you, good ol’ Mother Nature’s got your back!
The best way to solve a problem is to get down to its root cause. In the case of oral health, you need to rethink oral hygiene.
For example, conventional thinking encourages the use of mouthwash because of their “antibacterial” properties. So you are probably accustomed to choosing mouthwashes that can kill as much bacteria in your mouth as possible, right? Unfortunately this approach may actually do more harm than good because you end up killing both the harmful andbeneficial bacteria in your mouth. As such, you should strongly consider swapping conventional mouthwash with a more “natural” version.
And the best part? You can make it yourself! You just need to rememberthe key ingredients for “natural” mouthwash are sea salt, baking soda, and essential oils like tea tree, clove, or peppermint and these that won’t unbalance the delicate bacterial ecosystem in your mouth area. We recommend using ourOraRestore Essential Oil Blend for Oral Health, just add water and sea salt (baking soda is optional) and you have a great instant mouthwash!
Just like with conventional toothpastes, conventional mouthwashes typically contain alcohol and other ingredients that throw off the natural balance of your mouth’s microbiome.
Another natural approach to oral hygiene is the Ayurvedic method called “oil pulling”. This involves swishing a tablespoon of oil (such as coconut oil) in your mouth for about 15 to 20 minutes. The idea being that the oil “pulls” the bad bacteria away from your teeth, gums, and tongue.
Be careful not to gargle or swallow the oil while you are doing this though. You should also be careful to spit out the oil in a container you can toss in the trash as the oil could clog up your drain if you spit it all out into your sink.
While it may seem odd and it certainly is time consuming, consider thebenefits of oil pulling. Aside from helping you get rid of the harmful mouth bacteria and reducing bad breath, (depending on the oil used), oil pulling also can also help prevent cavities, as well as reduce gum inflammation and promote gum health. There is also anecdotal evidence that suggests oil pulling can help whiten your teeth.
If you eat right, you’llfeel right. Adding food with “oral-friendly” properties can also do wonders for your oral health!
For example, did you know thatapples, carrots, and celery are also known as “dental detergents”? This is because eating them increases the flow of saliva in your mouth, which helps clean your mouth!
Eating raw onions may sound off-putting, butonions have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can help kill off harmful bacteria in your mouth. In fact, studies have shown that rawonions contain properties that can specifically attack bacteria responsible for cavities and gum disease.
If you’re a sushi lover, you’re gonna love this!Wasabi may have properties that prevent tooth decay. This cruciferous crop contains a substance called isothiocyanates, which has been found to inhibit the growth ofStreptococcus, a bacteria mainly responsible for tooth decay. So, if you eat (fresh) wasabi two to three times a week, you will significantly reduce your risk of developing cavities.
Yes, staying well hydrated is important for overall health, but did you know that water intake also does wonders for your oral health?
You probably already know the recommended daily water intake to promote health is 3.7 liters for men, and 2.7 liters for women. (This can vary due to factors such as environment, physical activity, and overall level of health.)
Water cleans your mouth, and helps get rid of any lingering food particles, or residue from other beverages you may have drunk. This is super important if you enjoy drinking soda, or other acidic beverages.
Water also helps wash away any harmful cavity-causing bacteria, as well as helps support vital saliva production. Dry mouth, low saliva, contributes to weaker teeth and higher levels of bacteria-related oral health problems. Keeping your gums properly hydrated goes a long way towards keeping them healthy. Having healthy gums lowers your risk of gum disease, as well as tooth loss.
Turmeric has been a part of natural medicine for centuries and maybe one of the most studied herbal supplements.
It comes from a plant called Curcuma Longa, actually a type of ginger, that is found in Southeast Asia. The active agents in turmeric are called curcuminoids (from the name of the plant) and these agents have loads of benefits. One of turmeric’s best-known benefits is its ability to tackle inflammation.
And, as chronic inflammation is one of the health issues associated with poor oral health and gum disease, controlling inflammation while you are tackling the oral health problems is a very good idea.
But one problem with taking turmeric straight is that it is not easily absorbed and put to use in your body. To improve absorption and get more efficiency out of the curcumin it is important to combine it with black pepper. Black pepper has an ingredient called piperine that teams up with the curcumin and boosts its uptake.
Definitely worth a try if you are experiencing any form of inflammation.
Conclusion
Taking a more natural approach to your oral health doesn’t have to be difficult, or even terribly complicated. But by pivoting towards a more holistic, more natural approach can result in not just healthier teeth and gums, but also a healthier you.
