Many families prioritize creating a more natural life. A focus on holistic wellness can include efforts to incorporate natural dental care into our family’s routines. There are more options than ever for avoiding artificial flavors, colors and preservatives in the products we use to care for our oral health. At Greenhill Family Dental Care, we love working with patients to find natural alternatives for oral hygiene. However, there’s no substitute for regular checkups and high-quality care in your family dentist’s office.
Drugstore and health food store shelves are now full of natural toothpaste options– with and without fluoride. You can also make your own toothpaste. Coconut oil remineralizes your teeth and is a popular natural ingredient. You can also create an old-school but effective homemade toothpaste using baking soda and peppermint oil. Baking soda neutralizes acid in your mouth and can help fight tooth decay and bad breath. Neem oil is another trending natural toothpaste ingredient. It’s made from the neem tree found in India and is known for its antimicrobial properties. However, neem oil can be too intense for children, pregnant women and sensitive adults, so check with your doctor before using. As family dentists, we recommend a fluoride toothpaste to protect against cavities. However, there are now many options without artificial sweeteners and colors.
Charcoal powder is an increasingly popular method for whitening teeth. Activated charcoal has bacteria-fighting properties and pulls plaque, bacteria and stains away from your teeth. You can buy charcoal toothpaste at many drugstores and health food stores. You can also purchase activated charcoal in a special toothpowder. It’s nothing like the charcoal we’re familiar with from our backyard grills. The activated charcoal used in toothpowder is exposed to high temperatures, making it highly porous and abrasive. Use caution and don’t overdo it; you might wear away enamel, making your teeth more yellow.
Baking soda is another popular natural whitening option. Its mild abrasive properties gently remove stains. Both of these popular methods offer gradual results. If you’re looking for more dramatic results, an in-office whitening treatment is your best bet,
Some patients seek to avoid traditional ingredients in mouthwash, including alcohol and fluoride. Alternatives include natural ingredients like tea tree oil, aloe vera, clove and coconut oil. You can choose a commercial option or make your own with natural oils. Rinsing with hydrogen peroxide is another simple, gum-healthy option. Mix equal parts water and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and rinse.
If you have tooth pain, see your dentist as soon as possible. However, there are excellent natural ways to keep tooth pain at bay while you wait for an appointment. These options relieve the symptoms but don’t treat the underlying problems.
If you have tooth decay, treatment by your family dentist is the best way to prevent more significant problems down the road. Some natural oral care fans promote “oil pulling” which involves long sessions of swishing coconut or other oils. This practice can provide pain relief and may even help prevent tooth decay. However, there’s no substitute for proper dental care if you have a cavity.
