Natural Remedies to Keep Smiles Healthy
Good oral care is a vital part of staying healthy, and with a good dental care routine, your smile will look great, too. If you like to keep your at-home healthcare as natural as possible, check out these ideas for natural remedies that will help you keep your smile healthy.
Natural Cleaning Options
Baking Soda
If you're interested in trying out some toothpaste alternatives, consider baking soda for occasional use. This option is so effective for oral care that there are commercial toothpaste formulations with baking soda as an active ingredient. To use baking soda at home, make a paste by mixing baking soda with water and then use it to brush with.
Note that it's not a good idea to use baking soda every day, as it can be abrasive if used too frequently. And, since baking soda doesn't contain fluoride, it's best to consider baking soda a supplementary method of cleaning teeth rather than the only method you use.
Xylitol
One unconventional option for natural oral care is xylitol, a sugar alcohol found naturally in fruit. Xylitol is used as a sugar alternative, as it’s low-calorie and doesn’t affect blood sugar, but it may also support oral health by helping to remineralize teeth, by helping the mouth maintain a healthy pH, and by suppressing the growth of oral bacteria.
Xylitol is best used as a mouthwash, by placing a half teaspoon of the granules in the mouth along with a small amount of water. Swish for several minutes then brush as normal. Used in this way, xylitol is safe for everyday use, and for best results can be used every time you brush.
Natural Whitening
For a subtle, natural-looking whitening effect there are a number of remedies that can be effective. For instance:
• Baking soda is mildly abrasive, so it can help to brush away some surface stains. Remember, however, that baking soda on its own isn’t suitable for everyday brushing.
• Rinse your mouth one to two times a week with a dilute solution (around 1.5%) of hydrogen peroxide for a gradual lightening effect.
• Use dilute apple cider vinegar or lemon juice as a mouthwash, swishing it for several minutes. Rinse thoroughly with tap water afterward to prevent enamel erosion, and limit use to a couple of times a week.
• Activated charcoal may be useful for lightening teeth that are discolored by food or nicotine stains. Brush with activated charcoal powder once a week to try this method. The charcoal can be abrasive so it’s best not to use it any more frequently than this.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a centuries-old Ayurvedic medicine technique that can reportedly help prevent cavities and gum disease, and improve bad breath. In oil pulling, you simply use coconut oil as a mouthwash, by placing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth and swishing for 10 to 20 minutes. Afterward, spit out the oil, rinse your mouth, and then brush your teeth. Coconut oil is popular for this purpose, as it contains mild acids that help whiten teeth, along with many fat-soluble vitamins.