Brushing your teeth and flossing regularly helps keep your mouth healthy. But you shouldn’t stop there. Eating a balanced diet and using natural remedies like activated charcoal and coconut oil can also improve your oral health.

Maintaining good oral health doesn’t just prevent gum disease, it also improves your overall well-being. Several studies show that the bacteria in your mouth can negatively affect the rest of your body.

For example, oral bacteria and inflammation may be linked to:

• Endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of your heart)
• Heart disease
• Low birth weight
• Premature birth

Bacteria can spread from your mouth to your bloodstream, which can cause infective endocarditis, a life-threatening infection of the heart valves.

There are also considerations when it comes to brushing and flossing, like avoiding toothpaste and other oral hygiene products that contain fluoride. Manufacturers claim that fluoride makes teeth stronger and whiter, but it offers no benefit for the oral health of children eight years old and above. In fact, studies have linked fluoride to lower IQ and reproductive problems.

If you want a brighter smile, here are some tips to improve your dental and oral health naturally.

Boost your intake of vitamin D3

Vitamin D keeps your bones strong and helps balance your hormones. Data suggest that the sunshine vitamin also helps prevent tooth decay.

Findings from a review of 24 clinical trials revealed that getting enough vitamin D3 helps reduce tooth decay risk by a whopping 50%. Researchers reviewed studies involving more than 3,000 children from six different countries.

To get enough vitamin D3, add eggs, mushrooms and wild-caught salmon to your diet.

Take probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can boost your oral health by eliminating bad bacteria.

Good bacteria can kill the Streptococcus species that causes cavities. Probiotics can also prevent halitosis (bad breath) and plaque.

Boost your gut health and oral health by eating fermented foods or taking probiotic supplements.

Brush your teeth with activated charcoal

Bleaching can whiten your teeth, but this method is expensive and rather dangerous. Try a safer but equally effective alternative such as using activated charcoal instead.

Activated charcoal is a natural teeth whitener that pulls toxins and teeth-staining tannins from your mouth. It also helps prevent these toxins from reaching your heart.

Look for activated charcoal in capsules. For whiter teeth, open one capsule then pour the contents onto a damp toothbrush. Brush your teeth and let the activated charcoal sit for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly when you’re done. Use activated charcoal regularly for best results.

Try oil pulling

Coconut oil is known for its anti-microbial properties. It is often used to treat minor wounds and skin conditions.

You can use coconut oil to improve your oral health. Instead of gargling with a mouthwash that contains harmful chemicals, try oil pulling to kill bacteria naturally.

Coconut oil eliminates Streptococcus mutans and candida, which can cause inflammation, tooth decay and secondary infections.

Steps:

1. Get one tablespoon of coconut oil.
2. Swish the coconut oil around in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes. Don’t swallow the oil!
3. Spit the oil into a trash can when you’re done. Don’t spit the oil into your sink or toilet to prevent buildup from clogging your plumbing.
4. Rinse your mouth well with water before eating or drinking.

Replace sugar with xylitol

Xylitol isn’t just a healthier alternative to sugar. It can also help protect your teeth!

Xylitol can prevent Streptococcus bacteria and other germs from surviving in your mouth. You can even brush your teeth with xylitol. Sprinkle a bit of xylitol on your toothbrush and brush to keep your breath fresh and prevent plaque formation.

Xylitol may also prevent heart disease by keeping bacteria under control. When buying xylitol, purchase products made from birch bark, not GMO corn.

Practice good oral habits to keep your breath fresh and strengthen your teeth. Avoid oral care products with harmful ingredients like fluoride and try some of these home remedies for a whiter smile!

Remember, brushing your teeth regularly helps maintain your oral health and improves your overall well-being.

Source:

InstituteForNaturalHealing.com

Healthline.com 1

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