Natural mouth care products typically are very safe to use considering that they contain no chemicals! Dentistry may not seem to fall under the realm of organic self-treatment, but there are plenty of natural ways to get your mouth in good condition. There are a variety of ways to keep your gums and teeth healthy naturally which I have compiled with little research and experience:
NATURAL TOOTHBRUSH
A traditional and natural alternative to the modern toothbrush is meswak! Apart from their antibacterial activity which may help control the formation and activity of dental plaque, they can be used effectively as a natural toothbrush for teeth cleaning. Such sticks are effective, inexpensive, common, available, and contain many medical properties.
NATURAL TOOTH PASTE
Natural toothpaste alternatives are all the rage these days. It saves money, gives you a feeling of accomplishment, and allows you to leave out all the harmful ingredients commercial toothpaste is made of. You can make your own natural toothpaste by simply combining 2/3 cup baking soda, 1 tsp coconut oil and 5-10 drops tea tree or peppermint oil. You can also add up little water to adjust the consistency of toothpaste.
OIL PULLING FOR TEETH WHITENING
Oil pulling is an age-old remedy that uses natural substances to clean, whiten and detoxify teeth and gums. The concept is incredibly simple. Basically, a person swishes a couple teaspoons of a vegetable based oil (coconut, sesame or olive) in the mouth for 20 minutes and then spits it out and rinses well. Oil pulling is best done in the morning, before eating or drinking anything. Oil pulling can also be done after meals. Read more on the benefits of oil pulling here >>
NATURAL MOUTH WASH
Mouthwash cleans your teeth and freshens your breath. There is a variety of commercial mouthwash available but as we all know- natural products are always the best, and mouth wash is no exception! Here is a simple way of making your very own natural mouthwash using just 2 ingredients- add 1 tablespoons whole cloves to 1 cup boiling water. Let it steep for half an hour. Strain it and store in a jar. Use it like you would like any other mouth wash. Add in few drops of essential oils of your choice. Oils such as eucalyptol, menthol, and tea tree, can help kill bacteria in your mouth. This also keeps your gums from getting inflamed.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
- Rinse your mouth with warm sea salt water in order to get rid of any bacteria or other unpleasant visitors. You can also add a few drops of clove or mint oil in order to freshen up your breath. This mixture is a good alternative to mouthwash, if you so desire.
- Incorporate alkaline foods to your diet. Examples include beans, fruits, and greens, all of which will work towards helping your body maintain a good pH balance.
- Drink green tea to have healthier gums.
- If your tongue is constantly covered in a white film, you may want to consider taking a probiotic in order to control internal yeast.