Natural Oral Health Tips

A key factor in the overall health of the body is oral health. Oral health has been linked to disease in other organs of the body. Bacteria from the mouth can travel through the lymphatic vessels in the mouth to other organs in the body. Due to this, it is important to have a healthy diet and good oral care routine to help keep the whole body healthy.

The mouth which is part of the gut and intestinal tract play a key role in oral health. When we eat food, it starts its journey in the mouth and travels to the stomach, intestines and finally the colon for waste removal. The type of food we eat plays a role in our gut health, as well as, our oral health. The type of foods we eat affect the ph of our body, mouth and saliva. If the mouth ph is off it can lead to bad breath, cavities and gum disease.

Look for natural and nontoxic products for your oral care. Using toothpaste without fluoride is an essential first step. You can make your own toothpaste by mixing baking soda and water to brush your teeth. Avoid using mouthwash with flouride or alcohol in it.

If you are making your own toothpaste or using a natural one, adding essential oils like peppermint for flavor or clove for its antiseptic and analgesic properties will not only add flavor, but help keep bacteria at bay.

Brushing your teeth should be a gentle process. Always use soft bristles and gently massage the teeth and gums without using a lot of pressure. Eating fruit like apples and melon naturally cleans the teeth keeping the mouth alkaline while stimulating saliva. Always rinse your mouth with water after eating.

Flossing is essential to keep the mouth healthy. Flossing helps to remove food that gets stuck between the teeth, as well as, disrupts the growth of bacteria. Bacteria from the mouth can travel through the blood to different body organs including the heart and can contribute to disease.

If you are suffering from cavities, gum recession or bone loss. This is a sign that bacteria overgrowth is occurring in the mouth and the bacteria are decomposing tissue, enamel and bone. More than likely, your mouth pH is out of balance. You can start testing your saliva pH by purchasing some test strips. You will want to test first thing in the morning and a couple times a day. Test two hours after eating or drinking and check it for at least a week. Log your results to make sure you have a clear picture of your oral pH. Saliva pH should be 7.2. If it is running less than 7.2 the environment of your oral health is being affected. Low pH is a sure sign that you need to make adjustments not only to your oral routine, but also to your diet.

Removing sugary drinks and processed food from your diet and consuming less sugar overall, as well as, incorporating more alkaline foods to your diet will help improve your oral pH and improve oral hygiene.

Saliva plays an important role in ph and the remineralization of the teeth. Xylitol is a natural plant fiber that has been shown to raise the ph of the mouth and stimulate saliva. Another great option is the use xylitol mints right after a meal and before bed to help neutralize your mouth ph. When your mouth ph is alkaline the tissue and enamel can heal and regenerate and the bad bacteria can not survive.

Practicing nose breathing is also essential for good oral health. We are meant to breathe out of our nose not our mouth. Mouth breathing dries the mouth out and decreases saliva production. Also, make sure you are not mouth breathing while you sleep. If you have oral health issues, you may want to use mouth tape to help stop mouth breathing while you sleep.

Low levels of vitamin B12 have also been linked to gum disease. If you are on a plant-based diet, vitamin B12 supplementation is normally recommended. If you are having oral health issues, you may want to get your B12 levels checked to rule out any deficiency. Another supplement to help oral health is CoQ10. It has been shown to help improve gingivitis and gum recession.

Whether you are having issues or just want to be proactive in good oral health habits, oil pulling is a natural ayurvedic practice and remedy for improving oral health. It is recommended to do this first thing in the morning when bacteria and toxins are more likely to be accumulated in the mouth. Mix sesame or coconut oil with essential oils like clove and cinnamon. Then, swish between the teeth from side to side in the mouth for fifteen to twenty minutes without swallowing. When done spit into the trash, not the sink since the oil is not good for the drain. This practice has been shown to be effective and is an ancient practice.

By using these tips and natural remedies, you can improve your oral health naturally.