Want to improve your oral health without harsh chemicals? Here are three simple places to start.
Brushing
Lets avoid fluoride, which has remained a very controversial ingredient, for good reason. Fluoride is implicated in thyroid health, kidney function, endocrine disruption, bone disease and more. What’s worse is that it has not been shown to improve tooth decay rates or oral health. It has also been shown to cause cognitive (brain) dysfunction in children.
So what are our alternatives? Let’s look:
Hydroxyapatite is an ingredient that remineralizes your teeth. It does this by filling in microscopic lesions in your teeth. Note: You may want to avoid nano-Hydroxyapatite. The argument against this smaller particle size is that it can cross cell membranes where it shouldn’t and cause issues like oxidative stress and DNA damage. This is especially true if you have bleeding gums, which indicates the nano-particles can reach your bloodstream much faster and easier.
Xylitol is another great ingredient in a toothpaste. Xylitol starves oral bacteria so that it dies.
Avoid ingredients like artificial sweeteners and dyes, fluoride (especially for developing teeth) and sodium lauryl sulfate (a foaming/lather agent).
I recommend RiseWell brand.
Oil Pulling
This ancient practice from India is simple: swish about a tablespoon of coconut, olive or sesame oil in your mouth (only try if you aren’t allergic to these oils), then spit it in the trash (can clog the sink).
When practiced everyday, oil pulling can reduce levels of oral bacteria which is GREAT for your overall body’s health!
How to start:
1️⃣ Swish 1 tbsp of oil first thing in the morning or at night before brushing
2️⃣ Start with 5 minutes and work up to 20
3️⃣ Spit in the trash, then rinse your mouth well
See a Biological Dentist
Biological Dentists, or holistic dentists, see your oral health as a link to the rest of your body’s health. They see you as a whole person, not just an isolated cavity to fill or gum irritation to treat. They focus on using safe, nontoxic materials a nd ingredients in their treatments.
Another very important truth is that biological dentists won’t give you a root canal or a mercury filling. There are many problems with root canals and mercury fillings which I intend to write about in a future blog post. For now, please check out these resources:
To find a biological dentist, search the practitioner network here.
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