There are several things you can do that are natural and that do not involve using chemicals, to help keep your teeth healthy. It should be stressed though that these are not meant to replace daily brushing and flossing or your regular visits to the dental surgery. They are to complement these other things, and perhaps to help if you have an infection and cannot use a brush for a few days.
Drinking Water
Drinking water is as natural as you can get and will swill away any particles of food that have been missed and stimulate your saliva glands. It is best drunk plain, but if you need it flavored don’t be tempted to add lemon juice as the acid will not do your teeth any good. A drop or two of citrus oil will do far less harm.
Avoid sugary drinks and the so-called energy drinks, as they are so full of sugars and chemicals they will hurt your teeth quicker than most other things.
Water is good for us in many other ways too. It will help to keep your body hydrated, which has to be good for our overall well being. It will help to keep your skin in good order and make it easier for your other organs to work efficiently.
Tea Infusions
Tea infusions are a great way to clean your mouth after a meal. Herbal teas, red, white, green and black teas are all good for this purpose. Green tea has compounds that make it especially effective at prohibiting the growth of bacteria. Black tea also has several really good effects but it does tend to stain your teeth.
Crunchy Fruits
Do you remember as a child being told to eat an apple if you could not clean your teeth? This theory goes back many years and to some extent does work. You just have to be sure to cut the crunchy fruit into bite-sized pieces to avoid damaging your teeth and make sure the fruit you choose is one that is low in acid.
Replace Your Toothbrush
Your toothbrush sits in the bathroom between uses and is damp so attracts bacteria and viruses. You should always wash it before you use it and replace it regularly. This is why something such as brushupclub.com has the right idea with their manual toothbrush subscription club. Then you do not have to worry about remembering to buy a new brush, as it will be sent automatically.
Avoid Acids
Food and drinks that are high in acids will damage the enamel of your teeth. Vitamin C, although this is often in acidy foods, can be taken in tablet form and will help to prevent gum disease and tooth loss.
Processed foods are the worst offenders as they often have chemicals in that are meant to prolong their shelf life. They may be very good at doing that, but they are not so good for your teeth.
Cloves
If you are suffering from a toothache, sucking on a whole clove will help to reduce the pain until you can get a dental appointment. Do not leave it too long to visit the dentist though, in case the tooth is bad and you develop an infection.
Oil Pulling
This is an old trick that went out of fashion but is now back as it is so useful. You need to swish just a teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil around your mouth for about twenty minutes. This will benefit your oral and dental health. It helps to whiten your teeth, makes them less sensitive, reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth and can get rid of bad breath.
You just need to remember not to spit the oil down the sink or toilet when you have finished as it could contribute to a blockage.
Chewing Gum
Chewing gum can kill off some of the bacteria in your mouth as long as it is sweetened with inositol and not sugar. Sugary gum can promote tooth decay where ones made with inositol can have the opposite effect.
Aloe Vera
If you have a gum infection, applying small amounts of aloe vera gel may help, but be warned the gel you would use does taste very bitter.
Cinnamon Sticks
The bacteria-busting oils in a cinnamon stick will sweeten your breath if you chew on one. The same applies to a few sprigs of parsley and its chlorophyll content.
Treat Them With Respect
Our teeth work harder than is often realized and you should treat them with the respect they deserve. Don’t try to make them do things they are not meant for, such as cracking nuts and opening jars.
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