Polyphenols in Wine Defend Against Gum Disease Says New Research
A new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that certain polyphenols in wine are effective in protecting the teeth and gums against pathogenic bacteria. Polyphenols are a plant’s natural defense mechanism against infection, and researchers from Spain looked at two polyphenols from red wine and others from commercially available grape seed extract, and different red wine extracts. Of the red wine compounds and extracts studied, two of the pure phenolic compounds found in the wine, caffeic and p-coumaric acids, were found to decrease harmful bacteria’s ability to adhere to the mouth.
What Do Polyphenols Do?
Polyphenols are plentiful phytochemicals with antioxidant properties found in a wide range of foods. More than 8,000 of these micronutrients have been identified, and those are divided into four categories; flavonoids, stilbenes, lignans, and phenolic acids. The two most effective compounds from this study are in the last category, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid.
Caffeic acid is the more well-known of the two compounds and is most often ingested through coffee. It’s also in other beverages like wine, beer, and fruits juices and foods including cereal grains, dried fruit, berries, soy and olive oils, herbs and spices, walnuts, and certain vegetables. The compound’s antioxidant properties have been linked to improved athletic performance, decreased risk of diabetes and cancer, and wrinkle prevention, among other things.
The other compound shown to significantly inhibit the effect of harmful bacteria in the mouth, p-coumaric acid, has shown antibacterial activity before. According to a 2012 study, p-coumaric acid “has dual mechanisms of bactericidal activity: disrupting bacterial cell membranes and binding to bacterial genomic DNA to inhibit cellular functions, ultimately leading to cell death.” It can be found in a variety of berries and other foods like wine, vinegar, peanuts, navy beans, tomatoes, carrots, basil, honey, and garlic, among others.
This study focused on how compounds in red wine can help your teeth, which is odd when you consider that the most common red wine and teeth association has to do with stains. Despite its known health benefits, red wine is also not an obvious choice for healthy teeth for other reasons. Mouth health is directly related to gut health, and alcohol turns into simple sugars in the digestive system, feeding harmful pathogens like candida. Treat yourself to a glass of wine…once in a while, and take care of your teeth with the multitude of other polyphenol friendly foods.
Prescriptions for Dental Procedures – Antibiotic Overuse No One is Paying Attention To
We are watching the end of the antibiotics era, and experts are busy examining all of the usual suspects, but in looking at all of the overprescribing from doctors and veterinarians we’re ignoring another source of antibiotic saturation – the dental industry.
The Quiet Ones
A recent study from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) found that 36 percent of dentists report prescribing antibiotics in situations not recommended by the American Dental Association. In 2015, dentists general and specialist combined to issue more than 24.5 million antibiotic prescriptions. Dentists most commonly prescribe penicillin, amoxicillin, and other related antibiotics in that family. Many of these antibiotics are already ineffective against several major bacteria, including E. coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
The consequences of antibiotic overuse are one of the most serious health problems facing the world today, but not everyone recognizes that. Most studies and articles concerning antibiotic resistant-bacteria fails to mention dentists as a factor in that. That is also reflected in the MDH study, where 34 percent of people who recently received antibiotics from a dentist did not have those pharmaceuticals listed on their medical charts. Another worrying trend? Dentists appear to be increasing their rate of prescribing these treatments.
As a kid, no one wants to go to the dentist, and it’s clear as an adult that a visit to the dentist for mouth problems is likely to end in a prescription for antibiotics. Dentists are usually ignored or pushed to the side when it comes to discussing health. They are their own insurance category, have an entirely different governing body to report to, and have easily been able to separate the health of the mouth from the health of the rest of the body. We now know that separation does not exist. Holistic dentistry is on the rise but until it’s more accepted, getting a dentist to listen to your concerns about how antibiotics and other procedures could impact your overall health is like…pulling teeth (lolz!).
There are two things that all dentists recommend that are essential: brush and floss. Stop cheating. Routine is your friend.
Look up oil pulling and start doing it. At first, this is easier said than done. The oil feels slimy, and the average person’s jaw is simply not ready for twenty minutes of sustained swishing. Work up to it.
Getting in front of an infection is super important. If you’re feeling any kind of pain, assume it’s an infection and chew on raw garlic for as long as you can before spitting it out. Even if you don’t technically have an infection yet, a round or two of that will knock it right out.
Sugar does not cause cavities. But sugar feeds the less desirable bacteria in the mouth and gut, allowing infections to more easily take root. Replacing sugar with fresh raw produce feeds the beneficial bacteria and maintain a healthy homeostasis. Diet is the key to holistic health, and we often forget to include the mouth in that.
Health Comes First
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria will kill 10 million people a year by 2050 if things stay the same. Many medical journals, doctors, and researchers are sounding the alarm. Though dentists don’t seem to be as concerned, they are the issuers of 24.5 million antibiotic prescriptions a year, and they need to be part of the conversation.
Unless you’re a medical professional or someone who takes a special interest in health, there’s a good chance you have a few misconceptions about your body’s wellbeing, especially in relation to your dental health. Several widely-believed myths are not just wrong, they’re dangerous. Believing that they’re true leads people to adopt unhealthy habits that cause serious problems for their pearly whites.
So it’s time to debunk some of the harmful myths you may be operating under.
Pretty Smiles Are Healthy Smiles
It’s easy to assume that a pretty white smile is not just toothpaste commercial quality on the outside, but also a dentist’s dream inside. The truth is that even the most sparkling smile can have problems lurking below. The old saying is definitely true here – you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Many oral health issues do not rear their ugly heads in appearance or sensation. The reason dentists recommend twice yearly check-ups is not just for good deep cleanings. Some problems can only be detected in a professional dental exam. So even if you have a traffic-stopping smile and feel fine, you need to have regular check-ups to check for things like cavities, decay, gingivitis, and even oral cancer.
Celebrity Smiles Are Real
Just as air-brushed photos of celebrities can cause us to have unrealistic expectations about our physiques, they can also give us major smile envy. A huge number of uber famous actors, models, and even political figures have flawless teeth that make us feel like our own naturally imperfect ones are lacking.
In reality, though, most celebrities have naturally imperfect smiles just like us. The difference is that many of them opt for veneers, which are exactly what they sound like. Veneers are customized covers that fit over teeth to create a perfect, uniform look. They are ideal for covering up stains and correcting unevenly shaped or sized teeth. Though celebs pay big bucks for top-of-the-line veneers, there are several affordable options out there for regular folks looking for a red carpet ready smile.
More Sugar, More Problems
It’s understandable to think that someone eating 10 pieces of candy in one short sitting is doing greater harm to their teeth than someone who just pops one piece in their mouth every couple of hours. The opposite is actually
It’s understandable to think that someone eating 10 pieces of candy in one short sitting is doing greater harm to their teeth than someone who just pops one piece in their mouth every couple of hours. The opposite is actually true, though. If you’re going to indulge in a sugary treat, it’s better to consume it all in one go than to stretch it over several hours or over the course of a day.
Each time you take a bite of something sweet, you release bacteria-causing sugar that go to work on your teeth for a given period of time. So in that regard, one bite is the same as twenty. The amount of sugar doesn’t matter. The presence alone is what makes a difference. So if you have a treat (or 10) and rinse with water or brush your teeth afterwards, you’ll be much better off than drawing out your indulgence and giving the sugar multiple opportunities to do damage.
The Way You Brush
Most of us learned to brush our teeth before we even learn to read and we’ve been engaging in the activity twice a day for decades. So you probably take it for granted that you know how to brush. But the method that many people use is not only ineffective, it can be quite harmful. Rough, long, back and forth strokes don’t do the job of getting between teeth, and if you brush too hard, you may be wearing away precious enamel. Instead, use a soft-bristled brush and keep it in one spot as you gently jiggle it back and forth, allowing the bristles to get in between the teeth. Then shift to the next section and do the same thing on the fronts, backs, and tops of your teeth. Watch this quick tutorial to see the technique in action.
Dental Health is Isolated
Remember the old kid’s song that went, “The hip bone’s connected to the backbone?” Well, it’s true. All your parts are connected, including your teeth and gums. Research has shown a correlation between oral health, heart health, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer.
Though it may not be entirely clear if there is causation or just association, it’s clear that one can impact and even worsen the other. So, next time you’re thinking of neglecting your dental health, remember that you’re also neglecting your overall health.
One of the biggest factors of taking good care of yourself is knowledge. The more you know, the more likely you’ll be to make good choices and practice healthy habits that will benefit you for many years to come.
Four New Year’s Resolutions Your Dentist Will Love
This time of year is not just about gifts and celebrations – for many, it’s also about taking stock of the year that has been and reflecting on what can be better for the year ahead.
Many of us even make promises to ourselves so that we feel more accountable for making certain improvements. You might resolve to spend more time with family, follow a long-held professional dream, or just get to the gym more often.
As a dentist, I’d like to recommend that at least one of the promises you make to yourself this year be about your dental health and here’s why. The health of your teeth and mouth are closely linked to the health of your whole body, and research has even shown associations between poor oral health and diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. That’s why it’s so important to care for your teeth and gums. So, if you know that you could stand to do a little better, start by adding a couple of these dental health resolutions to your list.
1. Floss Like a Boss
Flossing is the single biggest thing that most people can do to improve their dental health, yet it’s the thing that is most often neglected. The fact is that hardly anyone particularly likes flossing, but it’s something you need to do every day if you truly wish to have healthy teeth and gums.
One challenge many have is that they simply don’t know how to floss properly, so it ends up taking a long time and not really getting the job done anyway. If that’s the case for you, ask your dentist for a quick tutorial at your next check-up or check out this dentist’s genius one-minute flossing technique. And if you really loathe the traditional string floss, consider investing in a water flosser, which may make the job a little more pleasant for you.
2. Commit to 2 Minutes
Did you know that to effectively clean your teeth you’re supposed to be brushing for a full 2 minutes in the morning and at night before bed? Even though you may be using your toothbrush two times a day, chances are that you’re not brushing for long enough, in which case you’re not keeping your teeth as clean and healthy as you should be.
Try to get in the habit of using your phone’s timer app or a basic kitchen timer to ensure that you’re brushing for 120 seconds. Some electric toothbrushes even come with a 2-minute timer so you can just keep brushing until it goes off. It might feel like a long time at first if you’re used to brushing for only a minute or so, but consider the time a chance to reflect on the day that’s been or on the one ahead.
3. Get Yourself Something Nice
Sometimes all we need to motivate us to take better care of ourselves is some new toy that makes the routine a bit more fun. If all you’ve got is a standard toothbrush and string floss, think about treating yourself to some new tools that can reignite your interest in oral care. Here are a few suggestions that are both cool and useful:
Water flosser
Electric toothbrush
Wall-mounted toothpaste dispenser
Fancy toothpaste
Tongue scraper
Toothbrush sanitizer
4. Say No to Soda
If you’re still guzzling soda on a regular basis, now is the time to quit. Both regular and diet or sugar-free soda is extremely harmful to your oral health and overall health. The huge amount of sugar that is in soda and many other sweet beverages rots your teeth and widens your waistline at a dangerous rate.
Your brain might not register it as you enjoy these drinks, but you should look up exactly how much sugar you’re ingesting each time you down one of these beverages. It just might be the wake-up call you need in order to commit to giving up those sweet drinks. And for a replacement, try the healthier and more economical alternative of plain carbonated water flavored with a bit of natural fruit juice.
As you can see from these simple tips, improving your oral health doesn’t require any massive lifestyle changes, just a few tweaks to your everyday routines.
And taking on just a couple of these resolutions will help you make sure that 2016 is your healthiest year yet.
Three Homemade Toothpaste Recipes – Better Oral Health for Less Cost
If you’re shopping for an all natural toothpaste, the list of ingredients to avoid includes diethanolamine, propylene glycol, fluoride, aspartame, saccharine, sodium lauryl sulfate, Triclosan, glycerin, sorbitol, and microbeads. After careful examination of the ingredients, the discerning shopper will see the similarities between food products and other body care products. There are a lot of toothpaste companies that are merely pretending to be healthy.
Finding a toothpaste that is actually good for you, in other words, one that actually helps improve oral health, can be challenging. So why not make your own?
All you need is a formula that you can brush into the teeth and gums that helps to scrub away and kill bacteria and other microbes while it polishes the teeth lightly without acidifying the mouth with toxins that damage tissue and leach calcium from the teeth. It’s actually not so hard when you forgo the chemicals! Here are four recipes for oral health that you can use to mix and match and come up with your own regimen. You’ll save some money and extend the life of your yappers.
Simple Toothpaste Recipe
You can make homemade toothpaste, that’s not really a paste, with the following:
Ingredients
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon unrefined sea salt, finely ground
Instructions
Just mix the ingredients. You can also add an essential oil like peppermint or cinnamon; you can easily add a drop on the brush before brushing.
Homemade Earth-paste Recipe
If you like the earthy shampoos and soaps, then this toothpaste formula is right up your alley:
Ingredients
4 Tbsp bentonite clay
Distilled water
5 drops tea tree oil
1 drop liquid stevia
10 drops peppermint essential oil
2 Tsp unrefined sea salt
Instructions
Combine 2 tablespoons of water with the bentonite clay in a glass bowl and mix well using a non-metal spoon (the clay shouldn’t come in contact with metal)
Add tea tree oil, stevia, and peppermint essential oils
Add salt, mix well
Add water to taste and texture
Store toothpaste in a glass with a lid (the toothpaste will dry out over time if left uncovered)
Homemade Remineralizing and Whitening Toothpaste Recipe
Make your own remineralizing toothpaste with calcium, magnesium, stevia, coconut oil, and essential oils to help your teeth stay strong and your gums stay healthy.
Ingredients
5 parts calcium/magnesium powder (the best calcium for this can be obtained with this homemade calcium recipe)
2 parts baking soda
1 part unrefined sea salt, finely ground
3-5 parts coconut oil to get desired texture
Optional ingredients: Essential oils for flavor and/or kill germs (mint, cinnamon, tea tree, peppermint, orange), and stevia (takes very little)
Instructions
Mix calcium, salt, and baking soda in a bowl
Add coconut oil, one part at a time until you reach the desired consistency
Add any optional ingredients
Store in small glass container
Hydrogen peroxide is added to many homemade toothpastes, especially those formulated for whitening. But hydrogen peroxide is one of those ingredients you are not supposed to swallow and it can irritate the gums. It is not a good idea for kids or for anyone with sensitive, damaged, or diseased gums.
Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula
If you suffer from oral health issues such as gingivitis or cavities, add oil pulling, chewing on garlic, and also add Shillington’s Tooth and Gum recipe to your homemade toothpaste.
Dr. Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula Recipe (or purchase here)
(Use Organic ingredients where ever possible).
10 oz Echinacea tincture
1/4 cup of tea tree oil
4 oz. bayberry tincture
2 oz. oak gall (or 3X oak bark) tincture
2 TBS. Cayenne tincture
2 1/2 dropperfuls of peppermint oil
2 1/2 dropperfuls of clove oil
A “part” is a measurement by volume, not weight. Blend all ingredients together and make into a tincture using a 50/50 blend of alcohol and distilled water. For more, see How to Make a Tincture.
We also recommend addressing gut health and the first three sources below for acute gum infections and other more serious oral health issues.
The Toxic Toothpaste Ingredients That You Need To Avoid For Good Oral Health
Conventional toothpaste is full of toxins that make your teeth look pretty and feel clean while they slowly erode the tooth enamel and gums. Conventional whitening toothpastes are very toxic to the mouth. All of the conventional brands and many of the “natural” brands put chemicals in their toothpaste that no one would never put in their body knowingly, except fluoride, a known carcinogen and neurotoxin that people have been brainwashed into believing is good for them.
If you’re shopping for an all natural toothpaste, here is a list of ingredients to avoid, and why:
Triclosan
Triclosan is used in skin care products, deodorants, laundry detergents, mattresses, toilet fixtures, hand sanitizers, toothpaste, and more. This chemical has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties, but it’s also been linked to numerous health problems. Triclosan impedes the thyroid gland, is likely an endocrine disruptor, and it may cause cancer. Triclosan is used in some of the most popular toothpastes.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
A common ingredient in toothpaste and another likely cancer contributor, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is as a surfactant that helps thicken toothpaste, and is responsible for its foaming action. SLS is said to help dissolve dental plaque. It is a known skin irritant, it pollutes our groundwater, it is toxic to fish and other aquatic animals, and it’s a pesticide and herbicide that is used to kill plants and insects.
The manufacturers of SLS recently petitioned to have the chemical listed as an approved pesticide for organic farming, but fortunately the application was denied because of its polluting properties and its ability to cause environmental damage.The manufacturing process is also highly polluting, with cancer-causing volatile organic compounds and sulfur compounds that get released into the environment.
There have been many studies showing that SLS may contribute to cancer, teeth and gum problems, ulcers, and many other health issues.
Aspartame, Saccharine
These are artificial sweeteners that often show up in toothpaste formulas and many sugar free foods. Each has been linked to many serious health problems and should be avoided altogether.
Fluoride
Fluoride is an endocrine disrupter that calcifies the penile gland, and can reduce thyroid and adrenal gland function. Fluoride increases cancer risk, causes damage to DNA, inactivates enzymes within the body, accelerates aging, disrupts the immune system, and should be avoided both in toothpaste and in water.
There’s a lot of talk of Nazi Germany using fluoride to pacify the Jews, but I cannot verify this to be true. If you have a strong source on this, please leave us a comment and let us know.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol is a form of mineral oil. It’s an alcohol that is produced by fermentation of yeast with certain carbohydrates.
Propylene glycol comes in several grades, and it has a variety of uses. The industrial grade is an active ingredient in engine coolants and antifreeze, airplane de-icers, paints, enamels, and varnishes. Propylene glycol in pharmaceutical grade form is used in many products, including toothpaste, as a solvent or surfactant.
Adequate testing has not been done with propylene glycol, but the EPA considers propylene glycol to be so dangerously toxic that it must be handled with gloves, protective clothing, goggles, and proper disposal. Truth be told, that’s true with most of the other chemicals in toothpastes and other body care products, and many ingredients in our foods. Obviously, if you want a healthy mouth, do not put chemicals on your toothbrush. They virtually always prove to be problematic in the long run.
Glycerin
In itself, glycerin is not toxic. The problem is that glycerin, when scrubbed onto the surface of teeth, leaves a residue that is hard to remove. You can rinse your mouth two to three dozen times to remove it.
Calcium and phosphorus, minerals the teeth need which are normally present in our saliva, continually flow through of our teeth. Glycerin residue prevents this natural flow, the natural demineralization and remineralization process. This accelerates tooth decay and other dental problems.
Diethanolamine
Diethanolamine (DEA), is in products that foam like toothpaste. DEA disrupts hormones and forms cancer-causing nitrates. Dr. Samuel Epstein, professor of environmental health at University of Illinois, states that repeated exposure to skin may lead to increased risk of liver and kidney cancers.
Sorbitol
Sorbitol is used as a thickener and a humectant to prevent toothpaste from hardening when the tube is opened or when the toothpaste is exposed to air. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol (similar to xylitol) used to sweeten some “health food” products. Some researchers have recently discovered that sorbitol found in chewing gum can cause chronic diarrhea. Very little research has been done on this chemical.
Microbeads
If polypropylene, poly-e-terephthalate, and polymethyl methacrylateis are tiny pieces of plastic that are included in toothpaste as an abrasive. While these little plastic beads may help scrub plaque off your teeth, they also damage tooth enamel and become lodged in sensitive gum tissue. To make matters worse, they absorb both bacteria and industrial chemicals and are believed to be endocrine disrupters.
Conclusion
Don’t buy the brands with the aforementioned ingredients. A brand with any of the ingredients listed should not be a brand you trust. Try an all-natural toothpaste powder; you may find you love it like many others have. Or just make your own! Here’s a super easy recipe:
Equal parts of coconut oil and baking soda
Add essential oil to taste (I like peppermint)
Add stevia (if desired) to taste
Add a pinch of unrefined sea salt for a boost of minerals
Heal Gum Disease and Cavities Naturally – Step by Step
Serious gum disease works a bit like a leaky gut. As you chew your food, very small particles that should go through your digestive system can enter into your blood stream. This can wreck all kinds of havoc on the immune system, causing an inflammatory response that perpetuates the gingivitis.
An infection in the tooth can lead to serious disease, especially if an infection is left in the tooth and the tooth is filled. Cavities, cavitations, and root canals can be little tiny bacteria incubators that store and develop incredibly powerful bacteria. This infection, at some point, will ooze out into the body, entering the bloodstream, and causing all kinds of issues and diseases.
Bacteria has a knack for surviving in difficult conditions and becoming much more powerful, as you see in the news with all the superbugs. They epitomize the phrase, “Whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.”
Fix the Diet
The American diet is highly acidic, high in inflammatory fats, high in sugar, and all-around toxic for many other reasons. Acidity in the body has to be corrected. The blood has to stay a certain pH no matter what, which is slightly alkaline. When we eat raw produce, even if it’s acidic like lemons, they have an overall balancing effect on our pH levels. Nearly all refined, processed, commercialized foods are acid forming.
When the blood is acidic, the body pulls minerals from any sources it can find to correct the pH. This leaves fewer minerals for bones and teeth. Fats are either inflammatory by nature or they have the opposite effect. Both are totally necessary, but the American diet is full of inflammatory fats, and to make matters worse, many are fats that do not occur in nature and are very toxic to us. So the average American is significantly inflamed throughout the body in many different ways.
Foods to Avoid For Good Oral Health
Refined Foods
Sugar
Acidic Foods
Processed, prepackaged foods
Gingivitis is an infection, and sugar feeds infection. Sugar feeds us too, but we benefit from sugar when it’s in a whole food complex form. Refined sugars are for parasites. When food is processed in a way that strips it of its minerals, no amount of fortification will bring the food back to whole. That food, be it bread, pasta, white rice, or chips will acidify the body, which damages teeth and opens them up to infection that leaks into the gums. Refined foods will feed the infection in the mouth too.
What To Eat For Healthy Mouth and Gums
To promote oral health eat produce, more vegetables than fruit, but whole raw produce. That is what heals. Brown rice, quinoa, sprouted legumes, vegetable stir frys, and other whole foods have benefit, but raw, fresh, organic produce is what heals the body.
Balance the Gut
It is extremely difficult to have good oral health and poor gut health.
Anyone with serious mouth problems should consider a detoxification protocol that repairs the gut, kills Candida and other parasites, and balances the gut microbes. Good health starts in the gut, and so does bad health.
Chew On This…
Chew on garlic, with an open mouth; breathe in and out. Get the juices all around any infected areas, and spit it out when it gets too intense. Try this with cinnamon bark, turmeric, and ginger as well. Do this a few times a day or more.
Stop Smoking
Smoking anything – tobacco, marijuana – anything, is very harmful to the mouth. So is vaporizing, but not as much so. If you want to have a healthy mouth, but you continue to smoke regularly, the best you can hope for with this regimen is for things to stay the same and not get worse. In my experience, those who do this and continue to smoke do notice that their mouth is not getting any worse, and generally symptoms will improve, but their mouths do not completely heal.
Lose the Toxic Toothpaste and Mouthwash
There are some decent toothpastes out there, but even if they are in the health-food section, make sure they do not contain any of the following ingredients.
Toothpaste Ingredients to Avoid
Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS): A toxic foaming agent that has been shown to increase frequency and intensity of canker sore outbreaks. There are plenty of other reasons to avoid this ingredient, too.
Triclosan: A toxic hormone disrupting, environmentally damaging chemical used to kill bacteria.
Artificial Colors, Flavors, or Anything Artificial: No man made chemicals! All of these ingredients have been shown to be problematic to health, and you don’t need toxins in an infected mouth.
Hydrated Silica: This is the stain remover of the ingredients, but this chemical has been shown to build up in the teeth over time and damage the enamel. It works at first, and someone using a tooth-whitening toothpaste for the first time will generally be very pleased with the results, but over time the teeth will begin to dull.
Alcohol: It dries the gums, damages soft tissue, and leads to more inflammation. There are better ways to kill bad mouth germs.
Floss Every Day, and Floss Correctly
This is how you floss:
Most people do not floss correctly, if at all. Flossing is imperative for anyone with gingivitis because the sides of the teeth need to be cleaned so the food debris doesn’t feed the bacteria. If you hate flossing, then the good news is you can quit flossing once you get your gums back to optimal health. But you will need to eat a nearly perfect diet, with tons of nutrient dense, raw, organic vegetables, chew on anti-microbials regularly like garlic, and keep your whole body very healthy. If you do this, and you have a healthy mouth, you will not need to floss, or even brush the teeth to have much healthier gums and teeth than the most other people. But your teeth would be all nasty looking, so it’s not a plan I recommend. But the point that I can’t stress enough is that oral health begins in the gut. Heal the gut, health the whole body.
Brush Your Teeth With Your Own Toothpaste
Brush your teeth three times a day with the following recipe
For 6 tablespoons of oil to 6 tablespoons of baking soda, add 10-15 drops of essential oil. Try peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, clove, lemon, orange, rosemary or any others or any combination that sound good to you. Each essential oil provides more than taste; each adds its own benefits. Add drops of one, or experiment with combinations. Be sure to buy your essential oils from a reputable source and be sure you are getting the right genus species. Many oils come from different species and contain different properties.
Your dry ingredients can also be altered. Try adding trace minerals, calcium magnesium powder, bentonite clay, and/or diatomaceous earth to the mix, removing an equal amount of baking soda and adjusting for consistency. Trace minerals, calcium magnesium powder, and diatomaceous earth will all aid in re-mineralization, while bentonite clay will aid in drawing out impurities as it, like the aforementioned dry ingredients, adds grit.
Hydrogen peroxide is added to many home toothpastes, especially those formulated for whitening. But hydrogen peroxide can irritate the gums, so it is best to avoid it.
There is a third step in dental care for anyone who is struggling with gingivitis or wants to use a preventative treatment : Dr. Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula, which can be used as a mouthwash (one dropperful to a cup of water), on your toothbrush as or with your “toothpaste” (8-12 drops on your toothbrush after brushing your teeth), or with a water pick (2-4 dropperfuls, but rinse out after use so the tee tree oil does not shorten the life of the rubber seals). After each of these methods, do not rinse; allow the ingredients to continue working.
A ‘part’ is a measurement by volume. Blend all ingredients together and make into a tincture using a 50 – 50 Blend of Alcohol and distilled water. For more, see How to Make a Tincture.
A dropper-full is considered to be about 1/2 way up the dropper from a two-ounce bottle.
Be sure to shake well before each use.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic method of oral care that involves swishing oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Traditionally, sesame oil was used, but these days coconut oil is more often recommended, and it’s my preference as well. To increase the potency of this protocol, use essential oils, such as peppermint, cinnamon, or clove. Tea tree oil and oil of oregano are two good options, but they can get really intense. Start off with just a small amount.
Here are some suggestions with the essential oils for oil pulling. Add these to a tablespoon of coconut oil.
For bad breath: 2 drops of cinnamon, spearmint, or peppermint essential oil
Toothache: 2 drops of clove or tea tree essential oil, or one of each
Canker sores: 2 drops of holy basil essential oil.
Gum disease: 2 drops of cinnamon, clove, or tea tree essential oil.
Receding gums: Add 2 drops of Myrrh essential oil.
Cavities: 2 drops of clove or tea tree essential oil, or one of each
Any infection in the mouth: 2 drops of clove or tea tree essential oil, or one of each
How to Oil Pull
Swish the oil around in your mouth (like you would with mouthwash) and pull through the teeth, for 15 to 20 minutes. Don’t swish hard, or your cheeks will get sore very quickly.
The longer you do it, the more benefit you’ll get. 15 to 20 minutes is ideal, and I like to do it while I write articles, but even just doing it for a few minutes is very beneficial. You may need to take your time and build up your mouth strength. (I did.)
Spit it out! Do not sallow it. That oil gets nasty, and it’s better to dispose of it than swallow it. Follow with tooth brushing, or at least thoroughly rinsing the mouth. And don’t spit it out in the sink. The oil could stop it up.
Conclusion
The protocol above is a complete and truly holistic approach to gum disease and cavities, and most other mouth ailments, too. Holistic is the key; for the mouth to heal, the body has to be in good overall health. For the body to heal, the gut has to be balanced and healthy, too. If oral health issues are not your only issue, check out Kill Candida and Balance the Gut Quickly.
Take pictures! Before you start, take a pic of your teeth and gums, and see how it compares after about a week. You’ll likely be amazed.