Holistic Oral Hygiene: Choosing the Right Products
Sep 30, 2022 09:31AM ● By Amparo David
Overall
health starts in the oral cavity, so a clean mouth is a top priority. Hundreds
of species of bacteria live and thrive in the mouth, specifically the gum
tissue. Some species of bacteria are more destructive than others. If harmful
bacteria overpopulate the mouth, it leads to the destruction of the gums and
bone that support the teeth.
Utilizing oral hygiene products to keep
the bacteria population at a minimum is paramount. There are various oral
rinses, toothpastes, and other hygiene aids to choose from, but it’s important
to choose the right products for greater health.
It is recommended to brush twice a day,
every day, which means exposing the body to a clean toothpaste is important.
There are numerous toothpastes that commonly contain fluoride, sweeteners and
preservatives that will overburden the body. Toothpastes that contain the
mineral hydroxyapatite are a good option as a large majority of tooth and bone
structure are made up of calcium phosphate. The hydroxyapatite mineral supports
this natural structure, reducing the chances of dental cavities from forming.
Like toothpaste, floss will often contain
similar ingredients that should be avoided. Water flossing is an excellent
addition to the flossing routine as its mechanism to clean is simply a steady
stream of distilled water. This water can be treated with a small amount of
hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria hiding under the gum line. Tea tree oil
naturally with reduce inflammation, making it a great product to use to treat
bleeding gums. Soaking dental floss in tea tree oil prior to use will get the
product underneath the gum line and encourage growth of firm, pink gums.
When choosing an oral rinse to add to the
hygiene routine, the same judgment from above can be used. A simple, natural
oral rinse containing essential oils like clove, peppermint or tea tree oil is
a good option. A more simplified mechanism of rinsing can be used as well.
Saltwater rinses will cleanse the mouth and encourage gum tissue healing.
Baking soda water can also be used periodically to neutralize the pH of the
mouth and discourage acidity, as bacteria will flourish in an acidic
environment. Oil pulling is another favorable form of rinsing. Coconut oil has
been shown to excrete toxins from not only the mouth, but from the entire body.
Swishing with the oil for several minutes is necessary to allow for proper
cleansing.
Finding a proper oral hygiene homecare
routine can take time to put together. Every mouth and body are different.
Maintaining a healthy level of vitamins, especially vitamin A, C and E, and
minerals is directly related to the health of the oral cavity. Maintaining
heart health and a stable blood pressure is another basic building block of a
healthy mouth. If these levels are not sufficient, it can present as inflamed
gum tissue, unexplained bleeding or, in severe cases, periodontal disease. So,
establishing basic health parameters is necessary when choosing an oral home
care regimen.
By keeping all aspects of overall health
in check, optimal oral health will be achieved and vice versa. If the bacteria
levels in the mouth are kept as low as possible with good oral hygiene habits,
it is certain the rest of the body will respond positively.
Dr.
Amparo M. David, DMD, has her own practice, Dentistry by Dr. David, located at
563 Main St., Bolton,MA, where she practices general and cosmetic dentistry and
orthodontics, as well as assisting patients with sleep apnea. For more
information, call 978-779-2888 or visit BoltonDental.com.
