Natural Remedies for Dental Hygiene

Just as we talk about keeping our bodies healthy, we shouldn’t forget about natural remedies for keeping our mouths healthy, too! We may not think about it, but our mouths are used each and every day. I mean think of their role in keeping us alive by chewing and ingesting the food we need to keep us alive! Check out these natural health products for your mouth. 

Today, I want to share with you a few fun facts about our mouths and how to keep them healthy and happy, too!

• Only 1/3 of a tooth is visible above the gum line, while 2/3 of a tooth remains hidden under the gums.
• The mouth contains more bacteria than the amount of people living on earth.
• About 75% of Americans have at least 1 cavity by the age of 17.
• Teeth are the only part of the body that can’t heal themselves.
• Decaying of the tooth is the most common disease in children.
• Tooth enamel is the hardest part of the human body.

How to keep our mouth’s healthy:

Brush at least twice a day

Yes, I know we’ve heard this many times before, but this is probably the singlehanded best thing we can do in terms of keeping our mouths clean. However, did you know according to most dentists, we are actually causing harm to our teeth and gums because we are brushing too hard? This causes receding gums and cavities! Yikes! Who knew we were doing more harm than good? So, keep brushing but maybe a little more on the gentle side. To help this, make sure your bristles aren’t too hard or too used. Be sure to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months.

Know about all those toothpastes on the market….

It’s so imperative to choose the right kind of toothpaste. Go for a natural brand to avoid any parabens, artificial sweeteners or additives. Using chemicals our bodies aren’t used to could lead to other health issues. Buy ones made with baking soda and natural flavorings, which are very effective and keep the mouth feeling fresh for hours. If you’re feeling adventurous, try making your own. This could also be a fun activity to get the kids involved! There are plenty of recipes out there so experiment with a few and share with me ones you like. One of favorite is My Magic Mud! 

Floss, PLEASE!

Many feel flossing isn’t necessary, but it truly is. When we neglect to floss, we miss approximately 35% of the tooth’s surface. The food that gets caught in between the teeth isn’t always removed when we brush. Further, flossing reduces our chances of acquiring an infectious disease. Flossing twice a day is a good goal, but make sure at the very minimum it’s at least twice a day. Personally, I certainly don’t want to provide any ideal environments for bacteria to start growing, do you?

Eat fruits and veggies!

Brushing and flossing is not the only thing we can turn to, to keep our mouths healthy. Believe it or not, our diets have a significant impact on the conditions of our mouths. Sugars and carbs feed on the bacteria in our mouths. Certain foods are known to stain the enamel, or outer layer of your teeth. Let’s take soda for example, people who drink 3 or more glasses of soda a day are 60% more likely to develop tooth decay and require fillings. In particular, coffee and tea leave the teeth with a yellowish tint. In order to prevent further build up and to keep the teeth appearing whiter, it’s recommended to eat raw, crunchy produce. This helps keep the plaque at bay, while simultaneously providing nutrients for the body. Next time you’re in the mood for a snack, reach for some carrots or an apple! The greater the crunch (healthy of course), the greater the plaque clean up! In addition to crunchy fruits and veggies, pineapple and strawberries have the ability to help fight plaque, too. They aid in keeping the teeth glistening white!

Use coconut oil

Maybe you’ve heard of oil pulling, which has been a popular trend over the past couple of years. I will back the popularity around the trend by saying this is a healthy idea to incorporate into your lifestyle. Swishing with coconut oil for 20-30 minutes a day can have powerful effects. The idea is to pull all toxins out of the gums and surfaces of the teeth, especially from places we may have missed when brushing or flossing. After swishing, spit in the trash and avoid the sink, as we don’t want to clog the drain with oils. Brush right after, to get the rest of the oil and bacteria out of your mouth. Try doing it first thing when you wake up or after dinner for the best results. This doesn’t have to be done daily, but at least 1-2 times a week.

So, after learning some best practices for oral hygiene, it’s time to think about your daily routine. What changes can you make? Or maybe you’re already doing these practices- if so, keep it up! On average 60% of people say that a person’s smile is one of the first parts they notice about an individual, so let’s keep our mouths healthy and teeth shining for our own personal hygiene and those we encounter each day! You’ll be able to smile with confidence and remember, a smile is pretty darn contagious! I bet you never thought about the power a simple smile could have, did you?