A striking white smile is the reward that one gets for working hard to achieve optimal oral health. The good news is that maintaining such great oral and dental health is a simple, natural process if you know how to go about it. A white smile can indeed be directly linked to increased self-esteem but if done wrong, it can lead to medical conditions such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes and even dementia. Having a white smile is great, but it should be done with the right expert – a dentist not by using DIY methods.
Oral Health Hygiene
Maintain a healthy pH balance
Maintaining a neutral pH balance in the mouth is essential. The average pH of a human body is 6.7, and people generally land in the range of 6.2 to 7.6. Doctors consider anyone who falls within that range to be healthy. In terms of dental health, if you fall within the normal range you should enjoy continuous protection for your mouth, teeth and gums. (1) Did you know that eating acidic food is the leading cause of a lack of pH balance in the body? Eating these types of foods can result in your pH level dropping to 5.0, which is the perfect level that allows cavity-causing bacteria to thrive. Replace as many acidic foods with alkaline foods in your diet. These alkaline foods include fresh vegetables, beans, and seeds.
Visit a holistic dentist
A holistic dentist specializes in alternative, all-natural medical treatments. (2) These dentists also tend to treat various conditions that may be associated with the health of your mouth (or lack thereof). Dental patients today are becoming more aware of the effects that certain chemical agents can have on their general health and well-being. Holistic dentistry is based on the belief that patients can be safely and effectively treated with biological approaches that mimic nature. Holistic dentists may specialize in mercury amalgam removal, snoring problems, headaches, anxiety, as well as issues with sleep. The reason being is that many of these problems and conditions will be caused by poor oral health or habits.
Ditch the mouthwash
These products can be filled with additives that are far from natural. Instead, holistic dentists recommend that you rinse your mouth with warm salt water once a day to help reduce the growth of bacteria. Add some mint oil if you’d like to freshen your breath too.
Clean your tongue
Believe it or not, but it is likely your tongue is the culprit if you are suffering from bad breath. This is why many people opt to invest in a special tongue cleaner to get rid of any residue and improve breath. Use it at least once a day for best results. Mouthwash isn’t bad, but it is bad if it’s used to replace using a toothbrush completely,” says LaQuia A. Walker Vinson, DDS, MPH, board-certified specialist in oral health and pediatric dentistry. “A toothbrush is necessary to disrupt the plague first. Then mouthwash can be used after brushing to allow the fluid to achieve its maximum benefit by bathing the teeth and oral tissues.” Just remember to be gentle!
Take a probiotic
Do you notice that your tongue always seems to have a white coating no matter how often you clean it? If so, you may have a yeast infection. Oral probiotics (or dental probiotics) are specific strains of bacteria known to support a healthy mouth and improve oral health. They encourage the growth of good bacteria and stop the growth of bad (pathogenic) bacteria. Like the gut, the mouth has its diverse bacterial community known as the oral microbiome. Dental probiotics are similar to gut probiotics in that they use good (commensal) bacteria to improve the health of the microbiome in the mouth. (3) After starting to take on oral probiotic you should notice an improvement after just a few days.
There are differences between gut and oral probiotics. To improve oral health select oral probiotics that contain beneficial strains specific to the oral microbiome (though there may be some overlap with regular probiotics).
Be picky about your toothpaste
Many health shops and websites will sell all-natural toothpaste. However, it often tends to be quite pricey. If you want to purchase your toothpaste at the supermarket, just be picky about the one that you buy. Ideally, you will want to choose one that is free of fluoride and does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate. While the latter has the power to remove stubborn stains, it can be incredibly damaging to the surface of your teeth, your tongue, and your gums.
We hope these tips will help you maintain good oral health. By following these guidelines you will be on your way to achieving and maintaining maximum oral health – strong teeth, healthy gums, and pleasant, fresh breath included!
References:
(1) Mouth pH: What Is It Supposed to Be and Why Does It Matter?
(2) What Is a Holistic Dentist?
(3) Benefits of Oral Probiotics & Best Strains
