What about the mouth?
Good oral care is imperative to prevent diseases later in life. How much attention are you giving to your oral health?
There are many elements to dental health that we can do simply with natural methods. Chemical antibacterial mouthwashes and toothpastes do more harm than good. The environment of the mouth contains both beneficial and harmful bacteria. It is the saliva that keeps everything in balance. It prevents tartar and plaque build-up as well as prevents tooth decay and gum disease.
The key is allowing the natural saliva in the mouth to be sufficient to protect the teeth and gums and using natural methods to keep the mouth clean without damaging the natural good bacteria that is present.
Benefits of Saliva
- Protects teeth and limits bad bacteria
- Contains antimicrobial substances that can help prevent bad bacteria build-up in plaque
- Contains hormones leptin and ghrelin that help regulate appetite
- Helps support beneficial bacteria in the mouth
How to Increase Saliva Production
- Chew Food: The more that food is chewed, the more saliva is produced.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration of the body by just 8% lowers salivary flow to zero.
- Make the Chew Motion: Even when not eating food, making the chew motion in the mouth will produce saliva in the mouth.
Oral Dental Care
- Natural toothpaste: These are good to use and usually contain baking soda and essential oils. They may also include hydrogen peroxide. Make your own. See recipe below.
- Essential oil blends just for teeth: Body Food Dental, doTerra OnGuard.
- Best essential oils: Peppermint, cloves, cinnamon, spearmint, eucalyptus, rosemary – Make sure food grade if not buying a formula. Use a few drops on a toothbrush.
- Restoring oral microbiome: Probiotics for the mouth – AOR Breath Biotics Lozenges, Culture Care Probiotic Gum
- Professional teeth cleaning: This is also very important.
- Tooth whitening: Activated charcoal may help. It’s best used in combination with other ingredients. There are several toothpastes with activated charcoal added and this is best. Straight activated charcoal may be too gritty for the enamel surface.
Oil Pulling
What is the purpose of oil pulling? Don’t believe the hype you may read on the internet. Its purpose is to protect the mouth and teeth from bad bacteria and yeast, and it can help prevent plaque buildup as a result. There is research that indicates that plaque buildup and bad bacteria can be a factor in developing other conditions in the body but that is an indirect relationship. The main reason to oil pull is to have healthy gums and teeth by using a natural preventative method.
Coconut oil is best as it contains two beneficial fatty acids: lauric acid, which is antibacterial and caprylic acid which is antifungal. Put up to a tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth for 20 minutes as soon as awake in the morning, swishing it around the mouth during this time. There is no need to melt it as it will melt in the mouth. Spit it out into the garbage and not into the sink. Rinse with water and spit into the garbage as well. Otherwise, the coconut oil will clog the drain over time. Brush teeth with a natural toothpaste.
Making Your Own Toothpaste
- 3 tbsp raw coconut oil
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1 tsp activated charcoal
- 10 drops peppermint or clove essential oil
Melt the coconut oil in a small pot. Pour into a bowl and add the other ingredients. Stir. Pour into a small container and store in the refrigerator. This will keep for several months.
What is your favorite oral care product?
To your radiant health, with love
