People invest in 100% natural products because they want to live their best lives, free of chemicals, additives, and other nasties. There are loads of natural beauty and wellness essentials out there, but lately, natural oral care products are experiencing a boost in popularity.
Are you looking to clean up your oral care routine? Here, Dr. Philip Memoli, a holistic dentist with over 30 years of experience and a member of the Holistic Dentistry Association, offers his tips for healthy chompers:
Brushing and Flossing
For a more natural approach to oral care, Memoli advises veering away from conventional dental products. “Try to avoid fluoride, glycerine, sodium lauryl sulfate, sweeteners, and preservatives,” he says. In fact, the fewer ingredients in your toothpaste, the better. Some people opt for xylitol-based toothpastes (since xylitol is a natural sweetener), which Tom’s of Maine carries.
As for the actual brushing, it turns out less is more there, too: A softer brushing technique is more effective because it’s gentler on your tooth enamel. And be sure to use a soft toothbrush, as well, so you don’t affect the enamel, Memoli says.
Related: Try Tom’s of Maine products for your all-natural oral health care routine.
Memoli suggests using dental flosses made with essential oils (like this Desert Essence tea tree floss). The tea tree oil promotes purification and cleansing, and includes no synthetic ingredients, artificial colors, or alcohol. Win!
Mouthwashes and Rinsing
Memoli advises that anyone stocking up on mouthwashes or rinses avoid products made with alcohols and dyes. Looking to try a natural mouthwash? The PerioWash Alcohol-free mouthwash includes Co-Q10, folic acid, oregano, cinnamon, and clove to support gum health.
And The Natural Dentist’s Healthy Gums Antigingivitis Rinse boasts a stellar lineup of other all-natural ingredient goodies, including spring water, aloe vera, Echinacea, calendula, bloodroot, grapefruit seed extract, and goldenseal.
On top of brushing, flossing, and rinsing, you may want to try oil pulling, an ancient Ayurvedic dental care habit that requires swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for up to 20 minutes. The Dirt’s Oil Pulling Mouthwash is alcohol-free and made with oils of clove and sesame. Memoli strongly suggests oil pulling (which, on top of cleaning your mouth, makes you more aware of your oral health in general), but cautions anyone with mercury fillings to limit the swishing to two to three minutes.
Related: I Tried Oil Pulling For Two Weeks—Here’s What It’s Like
Whitening
Memoli advises staying away from conventional bleaching products, which may include harsh ingredients that could wear away at the enamel of your teeth.
Instead of reaching for the whitening strips, try Memoli’s yummy-tasting all-natural whitening routine: “Put strawberries in a food processor and combine them with baking soda to create a paste. Brush it onto the teeth and leave it for a while. Some people see great bleaching results with that,” he says. All you need is a few strawberries, a couple of tablespoons of baking soda, and 15 minutes. Turmeric and activated charcoal have also been used to potentially brighten the teeth and promote oral health.
Diet
Eating well not only promotes overall health, it can keep your pearly whites in good standing (beyond simply preventing cavities). “Holistic dentistry is always concerned with preventing dental problems rather than fixing them once they occur,” Memoli says. “One big way to prevent issues is through a healthy diet. No matter what diet you’re on, eating whole foods is what keeps people [including the teeth] healthy.”
According to the Journal of Biomedical Biotechnology, eating unhealthy food has been definitively associated with chronic diseases that impact oral health. So, it’s important that you nosh on whole foods, limit alcohol and candy consumption, and get all the nutrients you need through your diet or supplementation.