3 Surprising Natural Ways To Achieve Better Oral Health
Cavities, gum disease, and even bad breath can affect your life in profound ways. Poor oral health is not only bad for your mouth, it's bad for your overall physical health. It's also bad for your social and professional life – unsightly cavities, receding gums, and foul breath won't win you any popularity contests or promotions. The answers to improving and maintaining your oral health may lie in nature. Check out these amazing natural methods for reducing cavities, avoiding gum disease, and curing bad breath.
Eggshells for Cavities
You may need to think twice about tossing broken eggshells into the trash. It may surprise you to learn that eggshells are full of calcium – which, as you probably know, is a mineral that is largely responsible for the development of strong teeth and bones – as well as a number of other vitamins and minerals. Of course, you can't eat eggshells, but you can brush your teeth with them. Reportedly, cleaning your teeth with eggshells leads to stronger enamel and less plaque build up.
Start by rinsing and boiling the eggshells to get rid of any bacteria. Once they're clean and dry, use a coffee grinder to grind them into a powder. Then add two tablespoons of coconut oil and a baking powder. If you want, you can also add castile soap or sea salt for added cleaning power, and peppermint essential oil for taste. Use a spoon to apply the mixture to your toothbrush.
Honey for Gum Disease
The idea of honey being good for your mouth sounds counterintuitive. Don't dentists warn over and over again about the dangers of sweet, sticky things? What's sweeter and stickier than honey? However, certain varieties of honey, including Manuka honey that originates in New Zealand, appears to reduce bacteria, eliminate dental plaque, and limit acid production, all of which can help your teeth and gums stay healthier. The honey's antimicrobial properties are particularly useful for warding off or healing gingivitis.
It's easy to use honey to help protect your gums. You may be able to find toothpastes or mouthwash that are made with active varieties of honey. Or, you can simply buy the honey itself and rub it into your gums after brushing your teeth.
Fruit Salad for Bad Breath
Bad breath can be caused by many things, from a garlic-heavy lunch to a chronic health condition. If bad breath is a regular problem for you, you should check with your doctor or dentist to be sure that's it's not a symptom of a more serious condition. For occasional bad breath, however, there's a fruit salad recipe that tastes delicious and can help fight bad breath at the same time. Take it to work with you and you won't have to worry about post-lunch halitosis.
Cut an apple into chunks, grate a large carrot, and dice a cup of celery. Put these ingredients in a bowl along with dried cranberries and crushed walnuts, then mix in a few tablespoons of plain yogurt. Stir together, then add ground cinnamon to taste. The raw, crunchy foods help clean clingy food particles from your teeth. The pectin in the apple helps control food odors, and it also encourages saliva production, which is essential for getting rid of bad breath. Cinnamon and yogurt both reduce bacteria that can cause odors. When combined, these foods make the perfect natural remedy for bad breath.
Natural remedies are no substitute for regular dental checkups, but they can definitely be used to supplement and support your existing dental healthcare routine.
For more assistance with your dental needs, contact a place like the Family Dental Office for a consultation or care!