30 Jul Natural Dental Care Tips that Actually Work
When it comes to natural tooth care and home remedies, there are a lot of different opinions out there. You’ve probably come across many pieces of conflicting advice on the internet. Knowing what actually works is important—some remedies can do more harm than good, like using charcoal to whiten your teeth (it’s abrasive and can wear down your enamel).
Hicks Dental Group wants you to make informed, responsible decisions about your dental health. Today we’ll discuss some of the natural tooth care tips that really do work and can make a positive impact on your dental care routines.
1: Eat a Balanced Diet
When you eat a healthy, balanced diet, you provide your body with a wide array of essential vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet consists of plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats.
Healthy diets are typically low in processed sugar, one of the main culprits in dental issues like cavities and tooth decay. Many of the foods that cause tooth sensitivity are also processed, unhealthy foods like candy and soda. Eating a healthy diet can help prevent tooth sensitivity as well as tooth decay.
Certain nutrients like Vitamin D and calcium are especially important for healthy teeth. Since it is hard to maintain a perfectly balanced diet that provides all of the nutrients you need, adding a multivitamin to your daily routine will help fill any gaps in your diet.
2: Try a Himalayan Salt Rinse
Last year we talked about the benefits of using himalayan salt as a mouth rinse. This natural remedy has definite benefits for your teeth. Many dentists recommend saline rinses to improve overall hygiene. Salt is a natural disinfectant, so it aids in killing the harmful bacteria in your mouth. Salt rinses can also help loosen food particles, resulting in cleaner teeth.
Salt rinses—specifically Himalayan salt rinses—can provide a number of benefits for dental health. Natural Himalayan salt has extra minerals and no added chemicals. A daily Himalayan salt rinse is a great practice to add to your holistic dental care routine.
3: Use Products with Xylitol
Xylitol is often found in natural toothpastes, and for good reason. Not only does xylitol help prevent the bacteria that cause tooth decay, it also helps prevent the bacteria that cause gum disease.
There are quite a few ways you can include Xylitol in your dental hygiene routine. Try using a xylitol toothpaste (avoid the fluoride-free options unless instructed otherwise by your dentist). You can also use xylitol-sweetened gum, mints, or mouthwash, if those options are a better fit for your personal routine.
4: Practice Yoga and Meditation
If you think that was a typo, it wasn’t! Yoga and meditation have been used to improve general quality of life for centuries by reducing stress. Yoga and meditation draw the minds away from worry and overthinking, and help us find peace in the present moment. Both practices can help you reduce and manage stress.
Stress is a major antagonist to dental health. It can cause teeth grinding, which inflames the jaw and damages the enamel. Stress also dampens the immune system, which paves the way for infections like gum disease to take hold. Reducing stress can do wonders for not only your mental health, but in turn, your dental health.
Including yoga and meditation in your natural dental care routine doesn’t have to be challenging. A five minute meditation session can shift the perspective of your whole day. A bit of yoga first thing in the morning or right before bed can help loosen up a stiff body and make you feel more relaxed.
Never Skip Your Routine Cleanings!
While all of these natural tooth care tips are fantastic ways to keep your mouth healthy, there’s never a reason to skip out on your routine cleanings and exams. Taking a holistic approach to your dental care means preventing possible future issues.
During a routine exam, your dentist will be able to spot any issues or future problems so you can deal with them before they grow worse. If you are looking for a dentist in Prescott, Arizona, schedule an appointment at Hicks Dental Group. Contact us by calling 928-445-6030 or texting 928-487-4583 today.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (7/30/21). Photo by Towfiqu Barbhuiya on Unsplash