Many people suffer from oral health problems with cavities, tooth decay and gum disease being the most common. Many people are unaware of just how poor oral health can lead to other problems in the future. This post will share simple and effective ways to improve oral health naturally!
Why Oral Health is Important
Oral health is important because it can be a sign of underlying nutritional and health issues. Gum disease is linked to a host of illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Chronic inflammation in your mouth can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which can lead to more inflammation in other parts of your body, such as the heart. Many diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, HIV, cancer, and eating disorders are linked with oral health problems. Regular dental exams help you maintain good oral health and avoid related health problems.
How to Improve Oral Health Naturally
Diet plays a big role in oral health. A diet low in essential vitamins and minerals is more likely to have oral health problems, not to mention other health problems. Weston A Price, DDS has documented repeatedly that modern denatured food is the major cause of the degenerative diseases and the overall poor health of our society, including oral health. The reason is simple: today’s modern food and diet lacks the bio available vitamins that our bodies are designed to need in order to function properly. His research reveled that native tribes who still ate the traditional diet had great oral health and were almost 100% free of tooth decay. Once refined sugar and white flour were introduced to these native populations their oral heath began to rapidly deteriorate.
Doctor Price believed that the quickest way to improve oral health naturally is to have a healthy diet. This means eliminating processed foods, avoiding refined sugars, eating quality grass fed and pastured meats, eating fresh organic fruits and vegetables- and as raw as often as possible. Making sure our bodies are getting the necessary vitamins and minerals is essential in working towards better oral health. You can find out more in this book for sale on Amazon.
Supplements to Improve Oral Health Naturally
Coconut Oil (where to buy) is naturally high in lauric acid which inhibits the growth of pathogenic organisms such as vitamins and bacteria. It is high in “good fats” mentioned above which is essential for making sure we are getting proper nutrition. Coconut oil can be included into the diet by adding it to smoothies, coffee or tea. Another option is oil pulling which will be discussed later in the article.
Vitamin D (where to buy) is important because it helps the body to absorb calcium to keep teeth and bones strong and healthy as well as overall health and wellness. If buying a supplement Vitamin D3 is the type that the body can absorb and process. The sun is a major supplier in natural vitamin D so simply getting out into the sunshine for 20 minutes a day usually provides the daily supply.
Fermented Foods have amazing health benefits for the entire body. I just recently learned myself while researching for this article that the good bacteria from the foods helps to reduce plaque. I have been fermenting my own foods and including them in my diet for almost two years now. My dentist at my last cleaning was raving about how great my teeth looked even though I missed my last visit (oops!). It’s so awesome to me that something as simple as adding some fermented vegetables or drinks into your diet can alter the flora in your mouth. This ancient traditional method of preserving foods is a great way to improve overall health and wellness.
Homemade Bone Broth is a great way to get additional minerals and promotes healthy bones, ligaments, joints, skin and hair. This include healthy strong teeth. This should not be confused with store bought broth which does not contain the essential minerals and vitamins and can even contain not-so-heathy ingredients such as MSG. Making bone broth is easy and a great way to begin healing the body. You can learn more about the importance of bone broth for healing here.
Other Ways to Improve Oral Health Naturally
Oil Pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic technique that has oral benefits as well as full body benefits. You can click here to learn more about the benefits of oil pulling and how to do it. It can also be enhanced with essential oils that promote oral health such as Melaleuca Alternafoila, Lavender, Orange and Cinnamon. These oils can support healthy teeth and gums. You can learn more about where to find pure therapeutic essential oils here.
Homemade Remineralizing Toothpaste is a great alternative to commercial toothpastes which typically contain Fluoride, a known neuro-toxin. And that’s not the only yucky ingredient the store bought brands contain. You can easily make your own toothpaste that nourishes and remineralizes your teeth and works to improve your oral health. Click here to learn how you can make your own remineralizing toothpaste.
Homemade Mouthwash is so easy to make and the best thing is that you avoid alcohol, artificial sweeteners and chemical additives that are in most commercial brands. Those additives dry out the mouth which allows invasive bacteria to take hold. Here are some recipes to make your own simper version at home:
- 3 Ingredient Mouthwash by Butter Nutrition
- DIY Thieves Mouthwash by Overthrow Martha
- DIY Mouthwash by Coco’s Well
- Whitening and Remineralizing Mouthwash by The Nourished Life
Activated Charcoal (where to buy) can be used as a natural alternative to commercial whitener (that works AMAZING!) It is also very helpful in absorbing and removing toxins from the mouth. It is simple to use and very effective. You can learn more about how to use it here, including how to add essential oils to enhance the process.
Have you tried any natural methods to improve your oral health? I would love for you to share your story in the comments.
