Alternative Health and Medicine: Natural Dental Care

You can maintain a healthy smile and budget by using simple inexpensive homemade dental care products such as toothpastes and mouthwashes. Here are some guidelines and recipes for good oral hygiene.

Our smiles make a lasting impression on those around us, so having good dental hygiene
can do wonders for relationships and self-esteem. Store shelves overflow with special toothpastes, mouthwashes, and toothbrushes guaranteed to cleanse, whiten, and generally improve oral health. Dentists and dental surgeons see hundreds of thousands of patients yearly seeking dental care and tooth bleaching procedures. In short, the oral health field pulls in millions of dollars from consumers annually as it increases awareness about the importance of taking better care of our smiles. However, it is not necessary to spend a fortune to have fresh breath and healthy teeth. In fact, many dental care products can be made at home for a fraction of the cost of commercial products. If you would like a more natural approach to oral hygiene, try out these recipes for yourself.

Toothpastes

The staple of dental care products is toothpaste, which is responsible for removing cavity-causing plaque from the teeth. Like store-bought pastes, homemade recipes can be designed to have extra beneficial qualities like whitening and breath freshening depending on the ingredients used. To make your own all-purpose toothpaste, combine two teaspoons of glycerin (available at most craft and health food stores) with three teaspoons of baking soda and a pinch of salt. Once blended, stir in a few drops of peppermint essential oil or extract, which can be found in the baking section, and place it in a sealing container. If you wish, you can omit the glycerin from the recipe and make a simple tooth powder. Just dip a wet toothbrush into it and brush as usual. Remember, though, that its purpose it to counteract the drying effects of salt. You may wish to include this ingredient if you have sensitive teeth or gums.

To increase the stain- and germ-fighting abilities of the basic toothpaste recipe, add a drizzle of hydrogen peroxide to the mixture. Keep in mind that because baking soda is a mildly abrasive cleanser and whitener, it can be used alone as a paste. Some people enjoy the citrus note that powdered orange peel adds to basic toothpaste. To get it, use a mortar and pestle to grind up washed orange zest and use it with equal parts of baking soda. Alternately, add a drop of orange or lemon extract to the basic recipe. Finally, you may enjoy the addition of powdered sage to the aforementioned toothpaste. Not only does it have antiseptic properties that keep germs out of the mouth, but it is also a reputed whitener. Just remember not to add any plants to your toothpaste unless you are certain that they are pesticide-free for the safety of yourself and your family.

Mouthwashes

In the mouthwash department, there are two options available for your crafting pleasure. The first and most well known is alcohol-based mouth rinse. While the majority of people have not problems with such products, others cannot tolerate them either because the alcohol causes excess drying of the gums or because it irritates sensitive teeth. For these people, the use of naturally antiseptic herbal mouthwashes is a better option. First, let me give you a recipe for the basic alcohol rinse. Vodka, the preferred cosmetic alcohol, is combined in a ratio of one part vodka to three or more parts distilled water depending on how strong you want the rinse to be. Use this mixture twice daily for at least thirty seconds to kill germs and bacteria in the mouth. You can also include any of the herbs mentioned in the next section in this rinse.

As was noted previously, several common plants and spices have antiseptic qualities that make them excellent ingredients in an alcohol-free mouthwash. For children or those with sensitive teeth, try out any of the following ingredients added to a cup of distilled water. Any common mint will freshen the breath and destroy halitosis-causing bacteria. Parsley, as you may know from its inclusion in garlic-rich dinners, also has this affect. Puree two tablespoons of either of these herbs and add the strained liquid that results to water. A teaspoon of salt works well if you can tolerate the taste, but you may prefer a more delicate option. Try adding two tablespoons of rose petals or lavender leaves to a cup of boiling water and allowing them to brew for a few hours. Then, simply strain off the solids and transfer your floral mouthwash to an airtight container.

Healthy Habits

When brushing your teeth, remember to do so gently and often. Ideally, you should brush after every meal or at least each morning and night. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and go easy on your teeth. To remove every trace of food particles, you should also brush your tongue and floss afterwards. If bad breath is a problem even after you have incorporated these habits into your daily routine, consider that your diet may be the cause. Some people eat too infrequently, so the odor from stomach acid has the chance to escape through the mouth. Drinking sufficient water will also prevent halitosis problems since a dry mouth helps odors appear. For those who suffer from discolored teeth, keep in mind that soda, coffee, tea, and cigarette smoke all leave behind stains. For the brightest smile, ban these items from your home.

Dental health need not be expensive or difficult. In fact, it can be a pleasure when you make your own specialized oral hygiene products at home. By using the toothpastes and mouthwashes that you have made daily, you can guarantee fewer stains, cavities, and toothaches. Not only will this result in a brilliant white smile, but it will also ensure that you have a healthy mouth for years to come.

Reprinted from essortment.com.

April 27, 2010

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