Eight natural ways to get healthier, stronger gums and teeth

Updated

Over 75 percent of adults over the age of 30 periodically suffer from some form of gum and tooth irritation.

Gum diseases like periodontal disease and gingivitis are incredibly crippling. They lead to tooth loss, bacteria overgrowth, and a horrible accumulation of mucus and dental plaque.

There are definitely basic steps you can take to maintain good oral hygiene and health, like brushing and flossing your teeth properly, and staying away from sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco.

In an exclusive guide below, we introduce eight intriguing natural ingredients that you can use to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.

Ranging from roots and herbs like tea tree oil and turmeric (which has powerful properties, like teeth whitening), to simple everyday store-bought supplies that you can find in your pantry, these ingredients work to fight bacteria, decay, and infections.

Scroll down to discover the natural ingredients that will help strengthen your gums and teeth. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

What Healthy Gums Look Like


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First, let's take a look at what your gums and teeth ideally should look like.

The gums should have a light pink color, with a dull, orange peel-like surface. They also shouldn't bleed when brushed.

What Unhealthy Gums Look Like


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In cases of bad oral hygiene, the gums may become mildly inflamed, often looking red and swollen. They may also bleed when brushed.

The gums may also develop a red, shiny appearance. Plaque, or the bacteria that grows on the surfaces inside the mouth, can also become visible.

Remedy #1: Baking Soda For Decay


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Dr. Wenyuan Shi, PhD, of the UCLA School of Dentistry, consulted WebMD on a few crucial steps to take to improve dental health — including the use of natural ingredients and herbs.

Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) is great for fighting tooth decay. The peroxide can help fight off certain bacteria, according to Dr. Shi.

To use, mix a little baking soda with water, to weaken the strength of the peroxide, and apply to the toothbrush.

Remedy #2: Tea Tree Oil As Antibiotic

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Tea tree oil has incredible antibiotic properties.

In the past, studies have shown that people afflicted with severe chronic gingivitis experienced a significant reduction in bleeding after applying tea tree oil gel to their teeth brushing routine.

Instead of undiluted tea tree oil, which may irritate the gums, try using commercial tea tree toothpaste.

Remedy #3: Cranberry Juice To Fight Bacteria


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Cranberries can have rather powerful effects on oral health. Most interestingly, they can help prevent the accumulation of biolfilm, or plaque, on the teeth.

According to The Science of Nutrition, patients with gum disease looking for an effective way to get rid of plaque should look for cranberry juice with no added sugar.

Drinking it will help prevent more bacteria from sticking to teeth.

Remedy #4: Turmeric To Soothe


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Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is derived from a plant that belongs to the ginger family.

Commonly used in Southern Asian and Indian cuisine, turmeric contains powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

It contains curcumin, an element that helps prevent the growth of genes that creates gum-irritating chemicals.

To use, add a little water to 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder to make a paste, then apply to a toothbrush to brush your teeth.

Remedy #5: Licorice Root For Decay


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Licorice root can also reduce cavities and fight gum disease, according to WebMD.

Used predominantly in Chinese herbal medicines, licorice root still has to find its place in Western society.

However, two of its strongest compounds, licoricidin and licorisoflavan A, have proven to inhibit the growth of cavity-inducing bacteria.

To see the effects, use a little bit of dried licorice root powder on your toothbrush a few times a week.

Remedy #6: Salt Water For Infections


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You can definitely make your own bacteria-fighting mouthwash right at home.

Salt water rinses, for instance, are excellent for treating wounds in the mouth.

This is because salt is a natural disinfectant and can help remove swelling from the tissues, according to Dr. David Kerr, who consults on Today's Dentistry.

Try swishing around salt water the next time you have an infection, a canker sore, or an ulcer, or a couple weeks after you've had a mouth surgery.

Remedy #7: Oil Pulling To Strengthen


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Oil pulling is one of the most ancient, holistic forms of oral health maintenance.

The Ayurvedic practice is supposed to help draw out bacteria from the mouth, keep the gums healthy, and whiten the teeth.

Studies have also shown that oil pulling works miracles on patients with plaque-induced gingivitis.

You can try out this practice with coconut or sesame oil. Click here for full step-by-step instructions on how to start oil pulling.

Remedy #8: Vitamin D To Heal


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Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient for maintaining the health of so many areas of your body.

Between 30 to 50 percent of the general population are regularly deficient in vitamin D, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

This means terrible things for bone health, metabolism, the immune system, and gum and teeth health.

To boost your oral immunity, consume foods that are rich in vitamin D: fish, mollusks, oysters, whole grains, and soy products.

Watch Out For Dangerous Products


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There are, of course, many steps you can take to make sure that your gums and teeth are healthy in the first place.

Always brush and floss thoroughly. Get in the tiny spaces between your teeth to remove any plaque buildup. Try avoiding tobacco and sugary soft drinks as much as you can.

There are also many dangerous oral health products that you might want to be on the lookout for.

Many store-bought toothpastes contain artificial components, like sodium fluoride, dyes, crude oil, and even some pesticides that are highly toxic.

Be prepared to do your own research the next time you buy toothpaste for you and your family!

Please SHARE these interesting oral health tips with all your family and friends!

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