Find out 6 easy ways to keep your teeth clean in a natural way

On top of attending your regular 6-monthly check-up and clean, you can help improve your oral health by using the following techniques. We stress that these techniques are designed to aid your current oral hygiene routines (brushing and flossing) and are not a substitute.

September 9, 2019

#1 Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is the process of moving oil through teeth and around the mouth to clean and detoxify teeth and gums. The idea behind oil pulling is the oil absorbs fat soluble toxins from the mouth and eliminates them.

Oil pulling helps improve sensitivity, brighten teeth and reduce the build-up of plaque.

If a high quality edible oil is used for pulling (coconut oil or sesame oil), and the appropriate method is used, there should be no side-effects experienced from the practice. However, issues may arise if the oil is swallowed after use as it contains bacteria and toxins picked up from the mouth. For this reason, it’s extremely important not to swallow any of the oil and spit it all out afterwards.

Directions: Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil in the mouth and swish back and forth. After 20 minutes, spit the oil out into the rubbish or toilet (as oil will clog up the sink overtime) and wash mouth with warm water. To remove any residual oil, brush your teeth thoroughly.

NOTE: It is extremely important to AVOID oil pulling if you have amalgam fillings in your teeth as the oil will pull some of the mercury from the fillings into the oil and you will be swishing mercury containing oil around your mouth for 20 mins.

#2 Chemical Free Toothpaste

We are exposed to toxins every single day and the less we can consciously be exposed to them the better. Using a toothpaste with no toxic chemicals is one way to minimize our daily exposure to toxins.

Plaque is removed from teeth by the brushing technique and by flossing, not by toothpaste. Technically you don’t need toothpaste, it’s the physical removal of plaque that is the important part. With this in mind, using a chemical-free toothpaste if you are to use one at all is ideal.

#3 Chewing Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are a great natural tooth scrub, helping remove plaque without damaging teeth. To get the most out of this method; grab a handful of sesame seeds and place into the mouth and chew until they are all diced into small pieces.

Take a spare toothbrush and dry brush your teeth while the seeds are still in your mouth. This will act as a body scrub for your teeth. Rinse mouth and brush normally once completed.

#4 Baking Soda Brush

Not only does this method help to whiten teeth, it also acts as a preventative measure – alkalising the mouth to neutralize the acids produced by some of the bacteria in the mouth, therefore helping to decrease the chance of cavities.

Baking soda also discourages the formation of plaque, which helps decrease the possibility of gum disease.

Baking soda may also be helpful in speeding up the healing process associated with mouth ulcers.

A small amount of baking soda in some water to make a paste is a great toothpaste alternative.

#5 Healthy Diet

Limiting the amount of sugary and acidic foods and drink you consume can have great benefits for your teeth. As these types of foods help aid the production of plaque it is best practice to keep these foods to a minimum.

Foods like soft cheese, homemade Greek yoghurt, almonds and greens are full of vitamins, alkalise the mouth or are high in calcium and protein to help protect tooth enamel and make teeth stronger.

#6 Bamboo Toothbrush

Switching your regular toothbrush to an environmentally friendly bamboo toothbrush helps reduce the millions of plastic toothbrushes that wind up in landfills every year.

As the bamboo toothbrushes are made from bamboo, you can rest assured that no forests will be destroyed while making the toothbrush. Bamboo grows rapidly and is self-renewing.

Bamboo toothbrushes are also good for your wallet; some sites offer the product in packs of 12 for under $40.

At Gold Coast Holistic Dental Care, we address the mouth and overall health of your body. Give us a call today or book an appointment online.