Learning About The World Of Dentistry

Poor oral health can lead to other health problems, including heart disease and diabetes, so it is important to do all you can to keep your mouth as healthy as possible. Along with visiting your dentist, someone at a place like TLC Dental Center, for regular dental cleanings, brushing your teeth twice a day, and flossing at least once a day, here are two natural methods you can use in your life to improve your oral health. 

Change Your Diet

According to the studies of Dr. Weston A Price, there are three variables that can improve your oral health. Dr. Price found if you have enough minerals and fat soluble vitamins in your diet, and you limit the amounts of foods containing phytic acid, you can improve your oral health. This improvement in your oral health includes a reduction of cavities, swollen and bleeding gums, and build-up of tartar and plaque on your teeth.

To follow this recommended diet to improve your oral health, you need to lower your intake of foods with high amounts of phytic acid, such as grains, rice, beans, nuts, and potatoes. The reason for this is because phytic acids binds to the minerals, preventing your body from absorbing them. To lower the high levels of phytic acid in foods, you can soak, ferment, or sprout many types of rice, nuts, and beans. By soaking these foods for at least 24 hours, then cooking them for the longest time possible, you can reduce their phytic acid levels by 50 percent.

Next, you should limit your intake of foods containing natural sugars and starches. This includes fruits and starchy vegetables. 

It is also helpful to eat as many extra healthy fats as possible. Recommended healthy fats includes coconut oil with butter that has been pastured and cultured. A good way to increase your healthy fats is by blending up one-fourth to one-half a cup of coconut oil into a smoothie each day. Make sure you use only coconut oil that is organic, virgin, and unrefined. 

You can also take a daily supplement blend of fermented cod liver oil and butter. Cod liver oil is high in Vitamins A, K, and D to further help improve your oral health.

Use Herbal Remedies

Turmeric is a spice obtained from the rhizome of a plant in the ginger family that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can use turmeric to make a natural mouthwash, which has been proved in a study to control plaque, thereby preventing gingivitis.

Make your own turmeric mouthwash by boiling one-half teaspoon of turmeric into one cup of water. Allow this liquid to cool, then swish a mouthful of it around inside your mouth every day.

To make a turmeric tooth cream, combine one teaspoon of turmeric with one-half teaspoon of mustard oil and one teaspoon of salt. With your fingers, massage this over your teeth and gums each day, rinsing after use. Also, you can make a toothpaste by mixing one-quarter teaspoon of turmeric with enough water to make a paste. Then, brush this onto your teeth several times each week, rinsing after, to keep your gums healthy and reduce your chance of an oral bacterial infection.

Peppermint leaves also have antibacterial and antiseptic properties that you can use to help improve your oral health with a homemade mouthwash. You can grow peppermint in your backyard vegetable garden or in a small potted herbal garden to have it available for making mouthwash. To make a peppermint mouthwash, place a handful of peppermint leaves into a pot of hot water and let it sit for 30 minutes. Strain the leaves from the liquid. When the liquid has cooled, swish a mouthful around in your mouth each day. This mouthwash will help kill harmful bacteria and get rid of bad breath. If you don't have access to a peppermint plant, you can place a few drops of peppermint essential oil in a glass of water to use as a daily mouthwash.

Use these two options to help improve your oral health.