Natural Ways to Care For your Teeth and Gums

By Jenni Madison, Coconut Magic

Just as the digestive system holds more than 70% of your immunity, thereby making it's good co-operation vital to overall health. The oral region, gums and teeth, link meridians to many vital organs in the body, making oral health also a number one priority for overall physical health.

My sharing with you today is an honest combination of research and personal experience.

I am grateful to enjoy vibrant health, good energy and well being much of the time. However, if there is one area that I am challenged, even compromised, it is my teeth and gums. My lack of knowledge and fear of going to the dentist (yes that familiar bad experience), eventually led me into some serious concerns.

Alas, I am very grateful for the adversity which has driven and motivated the necessity for me to learn about, and apply all of this natural oral care now!



Nutrition plays a vital role in teeth and gum health. More than you can imagine. Internationally renowned dentist, Weston Price, in his book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, compares native people on their natural diets, to the same cultures who had moved across to the modern diets. 

Price's investigation crossed the globe from Australian Aborigines, to African, American and Indian Natives.

His research shows, with visual pictures, that those who follow the natural laws of food and nutrition, have healthy gums, healthy dental arches, strong teeth, and are free from decay and the many common oral infections and disease.

The comparison results showed that those that were moved across, to what he calls "the white mans diet", developed serious infections, disease, decay, facial and dental arch deformities, and even skeletal defects.

Further more, strong healthy teeth allow for good mastication of food, which further supports digestion and nutrient assimilation.

Eat as close to nature as possible, and chew your food well.



Oil Pulling Therapy is an ancient Ayurvedic healing tradition that supports the bodies natural detox process. It is a process of 'swishing' oil in your mouth first up in the morning on an empty stomach.  It is best done using coconut oil, a natural anti-bacterial, that can fight infection and help remove dental plaque. For an even stronger swish, I like to add some drops of essential oils, tea tree, clove, oregano and/or myrrh to my spoon of coconut oil. 

You can find more details on the 'how to' here Oil Pulling Therapy Why You Should Start Swishing Today.

Natural Toothpaste: Many of todays commercial toothpastes have added flouride and other chemicals, which only offer disadvantage to your health. Keeping it as close to nature, also with your  toothpaste is a good solution. You can purchase herbal toothpaste in most health food stores, or this Tooth Fairy blend by Don Tolman Self Care, or for a cost effective simple approach, make your own with our therapeutic grade coconut oil, Coconut Oil Toothpaste.
 


Hydrogen Peroxide and Teeth Whitening: Yes oil pulling does help those pearly whites to shine, but I have also found that Hydrogen Peroxide takes the whitening process to a whole new level! This is powerful stuff, a strong antibacterial, that will also fight infection. The whitening was just a 'happy' side effect for me.  Hydrogen Peroxide will attack unwanted bacteria, fungi and help clean out dental plaque. Be sure to use a 3% dilute, and then dilute it again, with 50% water, bringing it down to 1.5%. 



Gum Care: Floss, floss, floss, twice daily at least, or even better after every meal/snack. This helps the food particles from getting stuck in between your teeth, and eventually into your gums. If you have sensitive gums you can apply a gentle daily massage with a blend of coconut oil, tea tree essential oil and bi carb of soda.

Green Smoothies: An odd one to throw in I know, but when you blend those greens in a high speed blender like a Vitamix that is food mastication done for you. The vital phytonutrients and plant enzymes remain in tact giving you a true, absorbable blast of plant based nutrition. Green Pina Colada smoothie is one of my favourites. 



The last thing I want to mention, is that if you are afraid of seeing the dentist, (like many), get over it! I mean that in the nicest possible way. If you are having problems, without proper care, it can be hard to identify what is really going on. 

I found a good dentist by searching for one who refused to do root canals and amalgam fillings (except for removals). This led me to a dentist who does respect the bodies overall health when it comes to oral care, and is not just following standard medical procedure -  which can often disregard ones personal long term health needs and goals.