6 Holistic Dental Hygiene Tips for a Healthier Mouth

In discussions about dental hygiene, you probably hear the same advice over and over again: You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. Certainly, those are excellent practices that you should incorporate into your daily routine. However, there might be even more you can do. Here are six holistic dental hygiene tips to help you enjoy a cleaner, healthier mouth:

Eat a Healthy Diet

Overindulgence in sugary and starchy foods can promote bacterial growth. A healthy, balanced diet, on the other hand, can help your smile to stay strong and clean. For example, apples contain tons of nutrients that can support overall wellness. They also have a rough texture that can help to clean your mouth. Celery and other crunchy vegetables can accomplish something similar. You should also try to eat a good amount of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus.

Swish with Coconut Oil

Oil pulling, or rinsing with coconut oil, has become popular because many people claim it can whiten teeth. However, coconut oil’s benefits go even further. It contains lauric acid, which kills bacteria that cause tooth decay. It also has antifungal properties.

Keep Your Tongue Clean

Food particles and bacteria can accumulate on your tongue, leading to bad breath and other unpleasant consequences. To clean your tongue, consider using a tongue scraper, a simple and inexpensive device that you can use to keep this portion of your smile fresh and healthy.

Rinse with Salt Water

After a dental procedure, consider rinsing your mouth with warm salt water instead of taking anti-inflammatory medications. Salty water can naturally fight inflammation and hinder the growth of unwanted bacteria.

Sip on Green Tea

Green tea is rich in polyphenols, a unique type of antioxidant that can fight oral bacteria and produce other benefits. Many experts recommend drinking 3 – 5 cups of this super beverage each day.

Ask about Ozone Therapy

If you find yourself with a small spot of decay or a gum infection, your dentist will need to fight harmful bacteria in your mouth to help you recover. It would be best to choose a practitioner like Dr. Thomas, who uses ozone therapy. Ozone is a special type of gas that creates something called a transient oxidative burst. Basically, that means it is excellent at killing bacteria in a non-invasive, very thorough manner. It can allow you to enjoy the most conservative, effective treatment possible.

Meet the Practice

Under the leadership of Dr. Preetha Thomas, Enclave Dental offers a broad range of holistic treatments. We are highly focused on promoting the overall health of our patients, so we are always happy to provide advice to help them with dental hygiene. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Thomas and how our team may be able to serve you, contact our practice at 817-912-1218.