Holistic Dental Habits That Can Keep Your Mouth Healthy

It’s important for you to establish some regular habits that can help keep your mouth looking and feeling great.  It’s even better if you can do so by using holistic methods.  At Cooper Family Dentistry, we work hard to educate you on all aspects of your dental health, and holistic habits are no exception.  Here are some things you can do to help keep your mouth healthy for a long, long time.

Reduce processed foods.

Our mouths were designed to eat food that was grown in the field or taken on a hunt.  They were not designed to eat food that has gone through extensive processing and had dozens of chemicals, sugars, and other compounds mixed in.

Remember that your mouth is an amazing ecosystem, with its own system of flora and fauna.  When you eat processed foods, you are upsetting the balance of this ecosystem, and this can cause problems in your mouth.

For example, most people know that it is bad for your teeth for you to eat too much refined sugar.  But do you know why this is the case?  It is because processed sugar causes the bacteria that are naturally in your mouth to secrete elevated levels of acid.  This acid can eat into your teeth and cause cavities.

Consider oil pulling.

Some cultures have known for centuries that using coconut oil, olive oil, or sesame oil as a regular mouth rinse can have beneficial properties.  This is because the oil contains certain compounds that actually kill harmful bacteria and promote gum and tooth health.  In addition, there is some evidence that these oils act as detoxifiers, removing harmful elements from the ecosystem of your mouth.

If you want to give it a try, simply put a tablespoon of oil in your mouth and swish it around for 15 minutes.  This gives the oil the chance to penetrate all the crevices, gaps, and so on, and lets it have the time to really work on your mouth.  Then, spit the oil out, rinse your mouth, and go on about your day.  You may start seeing benefits as quickly as a few weeks.

Whatever your situation, our Cooper Family dentists are here to help you obtain and maintain optimal oral health.  If you prefer holistic methods, he is more than happy to spend some time with you discussing your options.  Give us a call, or drop by, and let’s talk!