Do more for your smile than the daily rituals of preventative care—twice daily brushing and daily flossing to prevent the build-up of plaque. See how good nutrition promotes healthy smiles and learn how essential oils and herbal products can augment your dental routine.

Eating well for dental health

Professionals agree that good nutrition is essential for dental health. Choose foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits and whole grains.

Sugary foods are often cited as the arch-enemy of tooth enamel, but even some otherwise healthy foods can exacerbate the problem of erosion. Hard, crunchy foods can wear on tooth enamel, and foods high in acid, such as lemons, vinegar and sugar-free soda also contribute to enamel erosion. Chronic exposure to acid can also cause gingivitis, a mild form of more serious periodontal disease, which is characterized by swollen, tender or bleeding gums.

Herbal dental remedies

Herbs can be helpful allies in the effort to balance bacteria, reduce inflammation and heal the delicate tissue of the mouth and gums. Look for some of these in mouth rinses and other natural products formulated for oral care.

• Calendula, with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, is well known for its ability to soothe inflammation and heal wounds. Herbalists also use Calendula for fungal infections and recommend it in cases of thrush.
• Clove essential oil has historically been used as a mild local anesthetic for tooth pain. Use the concentrated oil cautiously, applying it directly to the affected area with a cotton swab. Dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil, such as olive, if you are unfamiliar with using it at full strength. Discontinue use if there is any discomfort or irritation after applying. Never ingest essential oils.
• Echinacea is prized for its ability to assist the body in fighting off infections, Herbalists turn to echinacea to address mild infections and inflammation of the mouth and gums.
• Myrrh is a favorite for reducing harmful bacteria and reducing inflammation of the gums. It’s historical partner, frankincense, has similar properties, and its essential oil has been used, diluted, as an oral rinse after mouth surgery.
• Red raspberry leaves can be made into an infusion that offers astringent properties that may help reduce inflammation, swelling and bleeding of the gums, heal mouth ulcers and soothe canker sores.
• Sage is another garden favorite that can be used against gingivitis, mouth ulcers and inflammation of the mouth and throat.
• Salt is not recommended for everyday use (nor is baking soda, which can erode tooth enamel), but salt is useful as a rinse for reducing cankar sores and for preventing complications after some types of oral surgery and tooth extraction. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt in 8 ounces of lukewarm water. Rinse or gargle for relief of mild throat or mouth pain.
• Tea tree oil toothpicks get into areas that brushing cannot. Herbalists hail tea tree oil’s powerful antimicrobial properties, but scientific studies have found little evidence to support it and warn against ingesting tea tree oil orally (toothpicks and toothpaste are okay) because of reports of toxicity.
• Thyme is anti-microbial, antibacterial and antifungal. It is one of the most potent natural infection-fighters available to us. It has been proven to work against a wide variety of harmful bacteria, and can be used in tea or extract form as a mouth rinse, or as an essential oil (in minute amounts) to medicate toothpicks.
• Witch hazel is widely known as an astringent. This native North American plant makes a refreshing antiseptic mouthwash too.
• Yarrow is a styptic (helps to stop bleeding), a wide-spectrum anti-bacterial and an excellent wound healing herb. It is an effective, all purpose remedy for dental care. A gargle or mouthwash prepared by infusing the dried herb with hot water can be useful for bleeding gums, mouth ulcers and as a general dental rinse.

You still need to see the dentist

No matter how diligent you are about your daily home dental care, you still need to go to the dentist regularly. Dentists check for other things besides just cavities. “We look for things that your regular doctor will not usually see,” says Dr. Carol Loe, D.D.S. “The mouth and the tongue are the gateway to the rest of the body, and signs of disease will often appear orally before they are diagnosable anywhere else.”