Dental hygiene is vital all year round, but it’s especially critical during the holiday season when your diet is likely to include a lot of sweet treats. This is why you should consider alternative dental care choices to preserve your bright white teeth, fresh breath, and healthy gums, while also ensuring that your entire oral health is top-notch. If you’re new to natural ways to maintain oral hygiene, here are the need-to-know dental care alternatives for you:
Chapter Overview
1. Teeth Whitening Home Kit
Using non-traditional dental care products may help keep your teeth white and healthy while reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. One of the most inexpensive and effective ways to whiten your teeth is through professional teeth whitening treatments. You may apply the teeth whitening alternative prescribed by a dentist at home using dental home kits. Take-home kits are convenient since they work quickly, cause little to no sensitivity, and are inexpensive.
Also, keep in mind that you need to use most at-home teeth whitening solutions for at least two weeks before you can start seeing results. The majority of online teeth whitening kits come with four syringes of whitening solution.
When applying the gel, don’t overfill the trays. Fill the tray halfway with a tiny drop of tooth whitening gel. Floss should be placed in front of each tooth in the tray. Also, remember to use the syringe until it’s empty before discarding it. Ensure to choose a teeth-whitening kit that gives you the most satisfactory results that also last the longest.
2. Natural Toothpaste
There are numerous natural alternatives available for toothpaste that are free of hazardous chemicals and dyes. Traditional toothpaste usually contains questionable substances like titanium dioxide, glycerin, sodium lauryl sulphate, and artificial sweeteners. So, here are the top alternatives to commercial toothpaste:
- Using baking soda is a great way to clean your teeth. It’s also known to give your mouth a fresh minty feel.
- Just like baking soda, you can brush your teeth with sea salt. Simply add water to make a paste-like consistency.
- Herbal toothpaste can keep your teeth clean and healthy. It can also help with relieving pain.
- Hydrogen peroxide is an alternative to toothpaste that can keep your teeth clean and white. It’s also very effective for people with amalgam fillings.
- Dry brushing is a common method of cleaning teeth. Although this approach works, because it doesn’t result in the minty, fresh sensation people are used to, your mind may make you believe it’s ineffective.
- Coconut oil is often considered a miracle worker because it can help nourish the skin and make the hair soft. Moreover, it can also be used as a toothpaste alternative. Since it has anti-bacterial properties, using it is an excellent way to avoid harsh chemicals.
Regardless of the method you use, regular cleaning is essential to maintain a healthy, happy, and confident smile. After all, a person’s smile is linked to their self-esteem and confidence.
3. Oil Pulling
This ancient practice involves swishing oil in the mouth to remove bacteria. Those who practice it believe that it can help improve the health of the mouth and prevent bacterial infections. Oil pulling can also help boost saliva production and reduce the risk of tooth decay.
This easy-to-do technique involves taking a small amount of oil and gently pulling it in your mouth for about 15 to 20 minutes. Spit the oil into a trash can once you’re done to avoid creating a buildup of oil that can cause clogs.
This is a simple and effective way to clean your mouth before eating or drinking water. It’s usually done for a few minutes a day or multiple times a week.
4. Cloves
This flower bud has numerous beneficial properties, such as its antiseptic and analgesic properties. It’s also used in cosmetic products. However, when using it for your teeth, remember to only use one clove to avoid burning your gums. The clove’s analgesic effect will reduce pain, but it will eventually wear off.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound that can be used to clean and disinfect various household products. Its different uses include cleaning clothes, sterilizing wounds, and washing vegetables. Furthermore, it’s safe to use and even beneficial to your oral hygiene routine to fight bacteria buildup.
Bacteria that builds up along the gum line and hardens into a white coating called plaque is what causes gum disease. Data from the Journal of Dental Research shows that over half of Americans over 30 have gum disease. Gingivitis can progress to periodontitis if left untreated. Worse still, gum disease that further advances might lead to tooth loss.
Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent chemical to use in mouthwashes and toothpaste for those who desire healthier gums. Some over-the-counter (OTC) products include hydrogen peroxide, which may be similar to the treatments you’ll receive from your dentis.
Conclusion
Good oral hygiene should be practised daily to keep your mouth healthy. It’s a vital part of maintaining a healthy body. It can help keep bacteria at bay and prevent them from causing tooth decay and gum disease problems. Thus, these dental alternatives for beginners are worth a try. However, note that you need to visit your dentist right away if you see anything wrong with your dental health. It’s an investment to take care of your oral hygiene.