Oral health
Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly are the best ways to keep your teeth healthy. Mouthwash can also help. Try these natural tooth care remedies to protect your smile.
Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly are the best ways to keep your teeth healthy. Your dentist may even suggest using a mouthwash to maintain oral health. Along with these, you can try some natural tooth care remedies to protect your smile.
Your teeth are an important part of your mouth that helps with chewing and shaping your face. To maintain a healthy smile, they need the best possible care.
For this, you must:
- Brush your teeth at least twice daily
- Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen and protect your teeth
- Floss regularly to clean between your teeth
- Avoid sugar-rich foods and drinks
- Visit your dentist for regular dental check-ups
These simple steps can help you prevent tooth decay or cavities, which are caused by bacteria on your teeth. When you eat lots of sugary foods and don’t brush regularly, the bacteria convert sugar to acid. This can cause small holes or cavities in your teeth and make them weak and painful.
Natural tooth care remedies
Along with the recommended oral health practices, there are several natural tooth care methods that you can discuss with your dentist.
1. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that has many health benefits. A research study has shown that aloe vera tooth gel can protect teeth from bacteria that cause cavities. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects that prevent dental problems like gingivitis or gum disease.
2. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps maintain your body’s calcium level. In your mouth, vitamin D mineralizes calcium to strengthen tooth enamel. It also kills bacteria in your mouth.
Taking vitamin D through your diet or supplements can decrease your risk of dental cavities and prevent gum disease. Your doctor can do a blood test to see if you have enough vitamin D in your body.
3. Oil pulling
Oil pulling is a traditional Indian remedy for oral health. It is a practice derived from the ancient alternative medicine system called Ayurveda. It involves swishing a tablespoon of edible oil like sesame, sunflower, or coconut oil in your mouth. After swishing for some time, you’ll spit the oil out.
This technique is said to prevent bacterial growth, tooth decay, bad breath, gum problems, throat dryness, and chapped lips. It can also strengthen your teeth, gums, and jaw. But more studies are required to confirm the effects of oil pulling.
4. Licorice root
Licorice root has protective chemicals known as isoflavonoids. These have antibacterial properties that are effective against germs that cause cavities. A study has shown that licorice root extract can help prevent oral health problems by killing many harmful types of oral bacteria. More studies are required to prove the benefits of licorice.
5. Green tea
Green tea is a popular beverage. It is used in Chinese and Japanese medicine for its many health benefits. Some research suggests that it has antioxidant properties that may help you lose weight, protect your heart, and prevent some kinds of cancer.
A research study suggests that rinsing your mouth with green tea extract can help protect your teeth. It also prevents tooth decay. According to another study, if you drink green tea regularly, you’re less likely to have gum problems. This shows that green tea drinkers may have healthier gums.
6. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is distilled from the leaves of the tea tree shrub. It has therapeutic properties and several health benefits.
Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it may help kill cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. Tea tree oil also helps to maintain your gum health and prevents them from swelling or hurting. It is often found in toothpaste and mouthwashes to naturally heal your teeth.
7. Clove oil
Clove is a spicy herb that acts as a natural remedy for dental problems. It contains a chemical called eugenol that has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Clove oil is known to improve oral health. It helps relieve pain and helps treat toothache and gum problems. It also prevents bad breath. It is often used in mouthwashes.
8. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice that is often used to flavor desserts. However, it also has essential oils that contain the antibacterial chemical eugenol. Like clove, cinnamon can be used to treat bad breath, toothaches, and gum problems. It is used in mouthwash, chewing gum, and toothpaste to protect your teeth.
9. Xylitol gum or lozenges
Xylitol is a natural alcohol that is a sugar substitute. Research has shown that it may help protect your teeth and prevent tooth decay. It also prevents dry mouth and boosts your mouth’s saliva production.
Xylitol is available as chewing gum or lozenges. More studies are required to ensure that xylitol is beneficial for your teeth.
10. Fruit containing flavonoids
Fruits like mango, guava, pomegranate, and figs have chemical substances called flavonoids. Flavonoids help maintain oral health by killing bacteria that cause tooth decay. Adding such fruits to your diet may help naturally heal your teeth and prevent dental problems.
QUESTION
What causes tooth decay?
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Foods that protect teeth and gums
You can help maintain your oral health by adding these foods to your diet:
- Fiber– and flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables
- Dairy products like cheese, milk, or plain yogurt to boost your calcium levels
- Green tea
- Foods like poultry, seafood, cereals
- Fortified foods containing fluoride or Vitamin D
To maintain your oral health, avoid the following foods:
- Sugary candies and sweets
- Starchy foods that get stuck in your mouth
- Carbonated drinks
- Substances like alcohol that dry your mouth
Other considerations
Some dental problems like cavities may be painless at first. But they can become troublesome later. Visit your dentist for regular checkups. Get your cavities filled before they get worse.
