I enjoy going to the dentist about as much as I enjoy paying taxes, but it’s one of those things you just gotta do.
So why not do everything in your power to focus your dental visits on prevention instead of dealing with cavities and other issues that become super expensive?
Better yet, why not do it naturally?
Oral Health Is a Much Bigger Issue Than Having White Teeth
Many people (and I used to be one of them) are obsessed with having blazing white teeth. But there’s a much bigger concern to consider when it comes to your mouth…
Your oral health is a key factor to your overall health. When bacteria in your mouth gets out of control, it can get into your bloodstream and spread to others areas of your body causing inflammation and infection.
For example, research shows a strong link between poor oral health and heart disease (plaque in your mouth = plaque inside your body). Yikes!
And let’s not forget that your adult teeth are the only teeth you’re ever going to have. If you don’t care for them properly and end up losing them, they’re gone for good leaving you with two undesirable options:
1) A gaping hole in your mouth.
2) Unpleasant dental procedures and a HUGE bill to get artificial teeth.
Brushing Is Just One Piece of the Puzzle
Yes, brushing your teeth at least twice a day is critical for good oral health, and I’ll get into that later. But your diet is what feeds or starves the bacteria in your mouth that leads to tooth decay and gum disease in the first place.
Processed sugar, foods and drinks (especially soda) are major contributors to tooth decay and oral infections. Ditching them is KEY for having a healthy mouth.
I’m not a fan of shaming and focusing on what you shouldn’t do, so let’s talk about foods and drinks you should consume to balance the bacteria in your mouth and ROCK your oral health:
- Raw and steamed vegetables, especially leafy greens like spinach, kale, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens and swiss chard.
- Fruits like apples and pears.
- Clean foods with healthy fat like raw nuts, avocados, coconuts and natural olives free of preservatives / fillers.
- Green tea.
- Purified water with trace minerals, which help restore and remineralize teeth.
TOOTHPASTE: Making Your Own or Buying the Right One
Fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), triclosan, artificial colors and flavors…oh my!
Those are just a few of the ingredients found in many commercial toothpastes that research has shown to be toxic and harmful to your health.
You can avoid these ingredients by using toothpaste with natural components that help remineralize your teeth, instead of scrubbing chemicals all over them.
I prefer the DIY option of making my own toothpaste. Not only does it allow me to know exactly what I’m putting in my mouth, it works better than any commercial toothpaste product I’ve ever bought.
Better yet, it saves me a TON of money in the long run!
MY GO-TO DIY RECIPE:
~Makes 4 Ounces~
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons of organic coconut oil (kills bacteria)
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda (polishes, whitens and combats odor)
- 1 tablespoon of xylitol (reduces acid and bacteria, repairs enamel and adds a bit of sweetness)
- 20 drops of essential oil – peppermint or clove (kills bacteria and adds a pleasant flavor)
- 20 drops of trace minerals (restores and remineralizes tooth enamel)
Ninja Preparation:
- Mix all the ingredients together in a glass bowl. Or, you can use a 4-ounce or larger size glass jar with a lid (I use mason jars). That will allow you to mix and store the toothpaste in the same jar.
- When it’s time to brush, you can follow my preferred method and use a small spoon to apply the paste. (I keep a small stainless steel spoon in my bathroom right by the jar.) Or, you can wash your hands and then scoop the desired amount out of the jar with your finger and smear it on your toothbrush.
A NOTE ABOUT WORKING WITH COCONUT OIL:
Coconut oil stays in a soft solid state at temperatures of 75 degrees and lower. It liquifies at temperatures of 76 degrees and higher. It is just as effective in either state. The only difference is that it’s easier to mix when it’s in the liquid state.
If you’re working with coconut oil when it’s in the solid state, I recommend heating the desired amount until it liquifies to make it super easy to mix into the recipe. To accomplish this, put the coconut oil in the mason jar first, screw the lid on tight, fill your bathroom sink with hot water and sit the jar in the hot water until the oil liquifies. Then, add the other ingredients.
If you want to quickly get the coconut oil back to a solid state, simply pop the jar in the refrigerator.
Prefer to buy over DIY?
If DIY isn’t your thing, that’s okay!
You can find nontoxic toothpaste options in health-focused stores like Whole Foods. Just make sure to read the ingredients to ensure the toothpaste is truly free of any chemicals or fluoride.
If you don’t have a store like that near you or you prefer to shop online, retailers like amazon offers several good options. Here are some of my favorites:
- Oral Essentials Lumineux Toothpaste
- Himalaya Whitening Complete Care Toothpaste
- Dr. Bronner’s Toothpaste
- Redmond Earthpaste
- Uncle Harry’s Natural Toothpaste
Daily Habits for a Healthy Mouth
In addition to regular dental check-ups, follow these daily practices to keep your mouth fresh and healthy:
*Eat a clean, unprocessed, low-sugar diet and drink lots of purified water.
* Brush your teeth after each meal and right after waking in the morning.
*Be sure to brush your tongue thoroughly when brushing your teeth. I also recommend investing in a stainless steel tongue scraper like this to effectively remove bacteria.
*Replace your toothbrush or electronic brush head every 3 months. (If you use a disposable / non-electronic toothbrush, I highly recommend investing in an eco-friendly option like this.)
*Floss your teeth after you brush to remove the “goo” that gets wedged between your teeth. Avoid toxic floss brands that leave plastic residue in your mouth and stick with natural / nontoxic alternatives like the Radius brand.
*Make your own non-toxic mouthwash with this simple recipe: 2 cups of spring water + 5 drops of peppermint essential oil + 5 drops of tea tree essential oil. Put all the ingredients in a glass bottle like this and shake well before each use.
*Oil pull daily or least 3 times a week. To oil pull, simply put a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and gently swish it around for 15-20 minutes. When you’re done, be sure to spit it out in a trash can (NOT in your sink or it will clog!!!) and then brush your teeth. Oil pulling helps to pull bacteria out of your mouth and your entire bloodstream.
Cheers to creating and maintaining a clean and healthy mouth naturally!
With love and gratitude,
Kandi
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