Smiles brighten people’s moods and boosts your own energy and confidence. However, if you have poor oral health, it’s likely that you won’t be in the mood to smile. After all, your teeth are something that most people would notice first. Having a healthy set of teeth and gums make a great first impression and they are a great asset for your overall health.
Your teeth and gums need to be taken care of for several reasons - you need your teeth for chewing and digesting food and enunciating your words for speech. Furthermore, having to deal with rotting teeth and gum disease can be a very painful and costly process.
What causes Poor Oral Health?
Dental plaque is sticky white or yellow film that collects on your teeth and gum line. It is a mix of saliva, food and fluids that often form on your teeth 4 to 12 hours after brushing. Plaque contains bacteria that produces acids, which result in gum disease or gingivitis. The acids in plaque also attack the enamel on teeth to cause cavities and even tooth abscess.
If plaque is not removed, it hardens to form tartar- a hard yellow or brown deposit that can only be removed by a dental professional. When tartar is formed at the gumline, plaque underneath releases poisons that cause gums to be inflamed. This can lead to gum disease, as the gums pull away from the teeth, the bone supporting teeth is destroyed, and teeth become loose and fall out.
Tips for Improving Oral Health Naturally
Unfortunately, plaque can only be controlled and not completely eliminated. Therefore, it’s pertinent to take care of your teeth and gums daily by practising good oral hygiene habits.
Use natural oral care products
Instilling a good daily oral hygiene routine is a must. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is a good idea - use short strokes at a 45 degree angle near your gum line to remove plaque and food debris left in your mouth. Don’t forget to also brush your tongue and your gums to remove bacteria that causes bad breath. Using a nano toothbrush with antibacterial bristles can help to remove bacteria and germs in your mouth.
Utilising a natural, non-fluoride toothpaste can be beneficial for your overall health and also oral care. Fluoride is linked to ailments like bone cancer, thyroid disease and brain damage, and present in most commercial toothpastes, even though it is harmful to our health. Natural toothpastes may instead contain bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), aloe vera juice and essential oils that possess naturally antibacterial or antiseptic properties to clean your teeth.
Natural mouthwashes can also be beneficial for restoring the right pH levels in your mouth. Other mouthwash products contain alcohol, which actually destroys all the bacteria in your mouth, including the good bacteria that keeps your mouth healthy. Natural mouthwash instead contains a blend of essential oils which reduces plaque, cleanses and soothes your mouth.
Alternatively, you can also use a natural blend of essential oils that work as a 3-in-1 item - mouthwash, toothpaste and breath freshener. Used as liquid toothpaste on your toothbrush, gargle as mouthwash and a few drops in your mouth as an instant breath freshener, this blend of oils is versatile and cleansing.
Eat a healthy diet
Your diet is another important factor to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Reducing the amount of soda, alcohol, sweets, and other sugary foods and drinks can prevent the build up of plaque and acid in your mouth. Instead consuming healthy, whole grain and plant-based foods like vegetables, apples, and nuts are often more teeth-friendly and decrease tooth decay.
See the dentist
Seeing the dentist regularly can get you professional help when it comes to cleaning your teeth and maintaining your oral health. A dental professional has tools and processes like scaling that can remove plaque and tartar before your situation gets worse. In addition, the dentist can monitor your teeth with X-rays and charts to ensure that you are on the right path to good oral health.
The right way to improving your oral health is by taking charge of your everyday habits before it’s too late. Experiencing painful tooth decays and gum disease is completely avoidable just by taking the right steps and using beneficial, natural oral care products to keep your teeth and gums healthy the natural way.