Prevent Periodontal Disease Before it Starts
Prevention is always preferred over treatment. When it comes to oral health, you should always defer to your dentist’s recommendation, but there are natural steps you can take in between dentist visits to maintain your oral health.
Baking Soda
Common household baking soda can be used in several ways to help maintain oral health. Baking soda helps to restore the acid balance inside your mouth. Too much acid is one reason why oral health issues develop.
Two ways to use baking soda:
- Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda into 12 ounces of water to make a mouth rinse. Use as you would any mouth rinse, making sure you don’t swallow.
- Wet your toothbrush and sprinkle some baking soda on the bristles. Brush your teeth as you would normally. The gentle abrasive action of the baking soda will remove food particles and leave your teeth sparkling clean. If you don’t care for the taste of baking soda, add a drop of peppermint oil to the baking soda for clean-smelling breath.
Oil Pulling
Coconut oil is antibacterial, and when used as part of your oral hygiene regimen can help prevent cavities and kill the germs that cause gingivitis and more. Oil pulling is the act of holding a small amount of oil inside your mouth and using a gentle sucking motion to pull the oil between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. In this way, the bacteria-killing oil coats the in-between sides of your teeth and helps prevent tooth decay.
Certain Foods
Including certain foods in your diet may help prevent or restore oral health. In particular, foods high in calcium content such as cheese are thought to give your teeth the nutrients they need to build strong enamel. Foods with high water content such as apples, watermelon, and celery help produce saliva, which is one of the best natural ways your mouth has to rinse away harmful bacteria.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a strong antibacterial agent and is used as an ingredient in many commercial types of mouthwash. You can make your own antibacterial mouthwash at home using over-the-counter hydrogen peroxide. Since hydrogen peroxide is so strong, however, you must dilute it before use. It also has a taste that many people find unpleasant, so the addition of flavoring such as peppermint oil is recommended. Talk to your dentist before using a homemade hydrogen peroxide solution to find out what dilution ratio is best for your particular situation.
Help Prevent Periodontal Disease With These Natural Methods
These are natural ways to help prevent periodontal disease. The best option is always to have regular dental checkups so that your dentist can catch the signs of periodontal disease early. With a combination of routine dental exams and proper home hygiene, you can look forward to optimal dental health for a long time to come!
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