If I asked you what the best ways to care for your teeth were, what would you say?
Brushing? Flossing?
If you said those things, you’d be right, but there’s another, little known way to encourage oral health that’s very effective:
Herbs!
There are certain herbs for teeth that can strengthen, clean and purify your pearly whites better than the manmade chemicals we’re used to.
Many of the oral hygiene products on store shelves today are loaded with questionable ingredients that haven’t lived up to their promised expectations.
Quality herbs for teeth offer a safer alternative that focuses on natural prevention as the best form of medicine.
BENEFITS OF USING HERBS FOR YOUR TEETH
There are many benefits to using herbs for oral health. Here are just a few:
- No side effects
Oral care herbs do not pose the side effects that can accompany some of the fluoride-laden toothpaste found today. Fluoride has been associated with weak bones and ligaments, poisoning and has also been the cause of dental fluorosis in children.
- Void of harsh abrasives
Herbs for teeth are free from the bleach and whiteners contained in many oral care products. These abrasives are responsible for the excessive wearing away of enamel, leading to long-term tooth damage. The natural ingredients present in herbs allow you to reap the undiluted benefits contained in them while also offering longer lasting results.
- Offer faster, more effective solutions
Herbs can offer a faster and more effective solution to most oral infections or ailments like bleeding gums, bad breath and tooth aches.
Case in point: Sage leaves.
When sage leaves are rubbed on the teeth and gums, it cleans them instantly, leaving behind a smooth texture.
There are countless other benefits of using herbs for your mouth. Let’s look at a few specific herbs and the benefits you can expect.
TOP 5 HERBS FOR TEETH AND OVERALL ORAL HEALTH
1. Fennel
Fennel is a celery-like winter vegetable with a licorice-like flavor. Fennel provides an enormous amount of health benefits for both your teeth and body.
Fennel’s use for oral health dates back to ancient times and in different cultures. In ancient Chinese medicine, for instance, it has been used as an herb that inhibits plaque buildup and gum disease due to its antibacterial properties. This is made possible by the presence of polyphenols including rosmarinic acid and luteolin.
By simply chewing on a fennel seed, you can effectively inhibit plaque buildup and gum disease. Chewing fennel seeds is also effective in reducing salivary pH. Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, it assists in eradicating the germs responsible for bad breath.
Plus, it contains anti-viral properties that are used to treat oral ulcers and soothe sore throats.
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one aromatic spice that is loaded in calcium, making it an excellent ingredient for strengthening the teeth. This herb, which usually brings memories of Christmas to mind, contains anti-microbial properties that help relieve mild pain.
It has been used both in ancient times and the very recent past for numbing teeth in instances such as teeth and gum cleaning and for teething toddlers.
Many DIY cinnamon recipes exist for medical use, one of which is honey and cinnamon mixed to form a paste. It’s commonly applied to the gums to help keep them healthy.
3. Cloves
Clove oil is especially useful for treating toothaches. It has been found from studies that clove oil numbs oral pain with just a few drops to the infected tooth cavity. Studies have also hailed its anti-inflammatory and anti-plaque agents as beneficial for preventing periodontal disease.
Eugenol, a natural anti-septic found in clove, helps combat pain but with more effectiveness than cinnamon. It also has some other anti-fungal properties that enable it fight fungal infections.
Clove is also very rich in calcium and vitamin C, which are essential for strong bones and teeth. It is also used for the treatment of other ailments including asthma and headaches.
What more, a homemade clove gel can be just as effective as a 20% concentrated benzocaine gel, the active ingredient of the popular oral pain relief product, Orajel.
4. Neem
This herb has been used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine and is found in almost every herbal toothpaste around. It is highly recommended for its astringent, antiseptic and antibacterial properties, especially by homeopathic professionals.
Nimbidin and nimbinin are the active compounds responsible for its antibacterial effects. Neem leaves are also very rich in antioxidants, which help boost the immunity of gums against inflammatory infections and diseases just by rubbing it on the teeth and gums.
Azadirachtin, a compound also present in neem, makes it useful in combating issues like periodontal pockets and gingivitis. Its powder can be used in tandem with your regular toothpaste, or you can find other neem-infused toothpastes at your local drug or health food store.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric might just be the winner of them all – reason being its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect is stronger than all the herbs previously mentioned.
Components like curcumin, tumerone, atlantone, and zingiberene are the active ingredients that aid its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial functions.
It's been used for centuries to make compounds for teeth and gum care that fight bacterial infections and even for teeth whitening. For instance, a popular recipe is a teaspoon of turmeric powder, half teaspoon of salt and just enough mustard oil to form a paste for soothing infected or inflamed gums. This will also relieve any pain felt in those areas.
OIL PULLING WITH HERBS FOR TEETH
Oil pulling is perhaps the easiest and most effective way to achieve excellent oral hygiene. It’s an ancient practice that’s growing in popularity today due to its overwhelming amount of benefits. This ancient process is most commonly done by swishing coconut oil in the mouth for 10-15 minutes just like you would a mouthwash.
Its major benefit is its antibacterial effect. It reduces harmful bacteria in the mouth as they are swept away while you swish. It also helps reduce bad breath, plaque and gingivitis.
However, the effectiveness of oil pulling is increased substantially when you add certain herbs for teeth support like fennel and clove. In doing so, you not only reap the benefits of coconut oil but all those found in each herb as well.
Think of it as like a one-two punch for the best oral hygiene.
If you don’t want to deal with buying bulk herbs for teeth and want something already done for you, try FRESH – our organic herbal-infused oil pulling product. It draws out toxins, tastes delicious, protects against oral conditions and whitens teeth at the same time.
Whatever you decide, research the topic for yourself and see how using targeted herbs for teeth can transform your oral health today.