A vital part of your digestive system- your bright smile can last a lifetime. Healthy teeth allow us to eat the wide variety of foods found in our diets; however cavities, ill fitting dentures and other oral problems can make chewing painful. Be sure to make regular dental visits and brushing and flossing a priority to keep your smile- teeth and gums healthy. When any cavities and holes appear in your teeth, it is these small holes that allow larger food particles into the blood stream. You see- what most people don’t understand is that as soon as a tooth shifts or the gum recedes, a hole or a cavity can and usually does appear – that hole is a direct passage way into the blood stream. It is here from where the food particles you are eating get into the blood stream causing an inflammatory response throughout the body- including the arteries of your body. Particles of food are foreign to the body when they are not digested and broken down into their smaller parts through regular abdominal / gastro intestinal absorption. Hence, the body see’s the food as a foreign invasion, inducing a cascade of chemical responses that are released with the auto immune system. The body believes it is saving itself from bacterial invasion- which it is to a certain extent, however the downside to this protective mechanism and cascade of chemicals known as the “inflammatory process” is that over time- the arteries can become full of plaque – atherosclerosis, it is this build up of plaque that causes the channels of blood flow through your arteries to become smaller, which over time can be the cause of heart attack. There are things you can do to increase your dental health, and reduce the risk of heart disease and periodontal disease.
Heard of Oil pulling?
An ancient Ayurvedic ritual, oil pulling has been used in India for century’s. Using organic or cold pressed oil- Coconut oil is the best choice; Best done first thing in the morning on an empty stomach- simply place a tablespoon or so of oil in your mouth and swoosh it around your teeth, pulling the oil back and forth through and around all your teeth and gums with as much pressure your cheeks can muster for approximately 20 minutes then spit it out. You must spit it out as the pulling effect of the oil will pull the bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and their toxins from your teeth and surrounding gums- yes, there is a world of life living right there in amongst those pearly whites- Candida and Streptococcus are also common residents. It is these types of germs and their toxic waste products that cause gum disease and tooth decay and contribute to many other health problems including arthritis, heart disease and ultimately inflammation- So make sure you spit that oil out!
Kylie McCarthy -Nutritionist
For appointments with Kylie please phone 02 4655 4666 or email kyliem@cabothealth.com.au
hi i have denturs….what is the best method to keep my mouth clean beside brushing, and how much doing the day.
Use a good mouth wash- It kills bacteria and helps keep gums clean. Non Alcoholic – Mouth wash- it MUST be non alcoholic. Most commercial mouth washes are full of alcohol, and at the very least loaded with chemicals.
The main way to keep your mouth clean is to eat a sugar-free, natural foods diet. The bacteria that cause dental caries (Streptococcus mutans) thrive on sugar.
Cloves are traditionally used in oral health preparations for their natural antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Clove paste and clove oil even help sooth toothache or minor cavities until they can be healed or filled.
Peppermint adds the traditional mint flavor, but is also antibacterial and cooling to the mouth.
Plantain is antibacterial and antimicrobial and is traditionally used in healing preparations for its ability to speed wound healing.
Rosemary is an aromatic and cooling herb that is also antibacterial and soothing to sore gums.
Herbal Mouth Wash Recipe
This herbal mouth wash cleanses and freshens the mouth while naturally killing germs and alkalizing the mouth. Its healing to the teeth and gums in a convenient tincture for easy use.
Herbal Mouth Wash Ingredients
• 8 ounces of rum or vodka (for tincture)
• 1 tsp dried cloves or clove powder
• 2 tablespoons dried Peppermint Leaf
• 2 tablespoons dried Plantain Leaf
• 1 Tablespoon Rosemary Leaf
• 15 drops of Cinnamon or Peppermint Essential Oil (or more to preference-optional)
How to Make Herbal Mouth Wash:
Place herbs in a pint size mason jar. Pour enough boiling water over herbs to just dampen all of them. (this helps release the properties of the herbs).
Pour the rum or vodka into the jar with the herbs and hot water.
Cover tightly and put in a cool dark place for 2-3 weeks. Each day, shake the jar to help the herbs infuse into the alcohol mixture.
After 2-3 weeks, use cheesecloth or a very fine mesh strainer to strain the herbs out of the tincture. Discard the herbs and pour the tincture into small dropper bottles or other glass jar to store.
Add the essential oils, return lid and shake well.
To Use Herbal Mouth Wash:
Keep glass bottle with herbal tincture on bathroom counter with a small cup or glass.
For each use, mix a mouthful of water with about 40 drops of the tincture and swish well for 30 seconds.
For extra cleansing, add 40 drops of the tincture to a half and half mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water instead of plain water and swish for 30 seconds.
Hi there, I am confused. At the beginning of your comment you say a mouthwash must be alcohol free, then you give a recipe using alcohol, can you explain this please. Gail
Hi Gail,
Thank you for your email, when purchasing a mouth wash- you are best not to use those with alcohol due to the combination of alcohol, and chemicals. If you are making your own at home- using herbs- purely Natural, and pure alcohol- this is ok. Most brands have an alcohol free choice.