[ad_1]
In ancient times, when the manufacture of toothbrushes was only a dream, and modern beauty gadgets could not be reproduced even by the power of imagination, people took care of their teeth and gums using thin twigs of wood. They split them at the end, resulting in a prototype toothbrush.
Today in the arsenal of modern man there are many achievements of dentistry. But some of us continue to use homemade recipes. Which ones really deserve attention and can improve oral health?
1. Green tea
Tea leaves have been brewed in Asia for over 4,000 years. The resulting drink was used in the treatment of many diseases, and not without reason. Today it is known for certain that green tea can help keep teeth and gums beautiful and healthy. It contains antioxidants, catechins and other compounds that are effective in fighting inflammation and can slow down the process of tooth decay.
All you need to strengthen your teeth and gums is to brew a teaspoon of tea in a glass of boiling water, wait until it cools to a pleasant warmth and rinse your mouth.
Did you know?
Chewing gum within 20 minutes of eating is good for dental health! The gum stimulates the release of more saliva, which washes away food debris, balances the effects of acids and inhibits the reproduction of harmful microflora. But it is very important to use sugar-free gum. Sweeteners such as xylitol, aspartame or mannitol are allowed.
2. Sea salt solution
Salt water is unpleasant in taste, but it is an effective remedy in the treatment of many pathologies. It can help fight germs that are free in the mouth. If the gums turn red, pain is felt, it is enough to prepare a solution at the rate of half a teaspoon per glass of warm water, and then use it to rinse the mouth. Proper rinsing lasts 30 seconds, after which the solution is spit out and a new portion of water is taken.
If you feel a scratchy throat with a cold, gargling with salt water can also help alleviate the discomfort.
3. Natural oils
This oral care technique came to us from India and South Asia. People living in these territories used natural oils (primarily coconut or olive) to rinse their mouths. They believed that it helped them whiten their teeth and somehow improved their oral health.
Doctor of Medical Sciences Nammi Patel, the head of a dental clinic in San Francisco, says that there are studies proving the benefits of this technique. For example, in a 2011 paper published in Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, sesame and coconut oil have been found to reduce plaque and help prevent gingivitis. The doctor recommends rinsing with oil once a day before going to bed, for this use 2 tablespoons of a natural product.
On a note!
Nutrient-rich foods are good for oral health. Calcium and phosphorus strengthens enamel and gums. Calcium can be found in dairy products, canned salmon, almonds and dark green vegetables, while phosphorus is found in eggs, fatty fish and lean meats, and dairy products. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that boosts the body’s immune function. It is found in apples, citrus fruits, tomatoes, bell peppers.
4. Turmeric
In South Asia, the bright orange colored powder has long been used to relieve breathing problems and sore throats among other problems. Today, this spice is best known as a key ingredient in curry powder and a popular cosmetic ingredient.
However, there are studies that prove that turmeric is beneficial for the oral cavity as well. AT Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology published the results of the experiment, according to which turmeric is able to protect against gum disease and gingivitis, reduce the formation of plaque and the reproduction of harmful microflora in the oral cavity. And in another study, the results of which he shared Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine, found that the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, can relieve mouth pain associated with periodontitis and help relieve pain caused by oral cancer.
To improve the health of the oral cavity, you can both brush your teeth with a bright powder, and prepare an infusion for rinsing based on it (1 teaspoon of turmeric for 1 tbsp of warm water).
5. Charcoal
Charcoal-based toothpastes and powders have been around for a long time. However, some people use it in its pure form for teeth whitening and oral care. Charcoal is used to clean teeth. However, dentists are ambivalent about this technique.
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Dentist Timothy Chase says that there has not been a single study that has shown that the use of charcoal for oral care can bring any benefit to the teeth. A dentist from New Jersey Nicole Khalifa warns that fine powder may be too abrasive. And while it can actually help whiten teeth in the short term, if used frequently, it will thin the enamel and end up looking yellower. If you don’t want to damage your enamel, use charcoal no more than once a month.
Did you know?
Most people need to take foods containing fluoride to improve their oral health. Without this substance, not only the health of the teeth, but also the whole organism suffers. The problem is so serious that in many countries fluoride is deliberately added to drinking water. There are also toothpastes and rinses containing this substance.
6. Fruits and berries with a high content of acids
The acids contained in berries and fruits are now widely used in the manufacture of cosmetics and household chemicals, they are frequent components of toothpastes. And they have long been used to clean teeth and gums, gaining a white-toothed smile.
To improve the condition of teeth and gums, strawberries, strawberries, mangoes, apples or other fruits should be mashed, add a little baking soda, which has abrasive properties, and apply the resulting paste with a brush on the teeth. Wash off after 5 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times a week.
Some people brush their teeth with the resulting paste, but the MD Evan Frisbee cautions against this step, as baking soda and fruit are abrasive ingredients and can damage the enamel when applied with force.
7. Coconut oil and peppermint leaves
MD, Dentist from Australia Michael Tam says that there is nothing more beautiful than a natural smile. It is not snow-white — by nature, the color of the teeth corresponds to the color of the whites of the eyes. Therefore, you need to strive to preserve the natural shade, and not acquire a new one.
A paste made from coconut oil and peppermint leaves will help with this. It tastes good and has brightening properties. You need to take a small amount of oil and combine it with chopped peppermint leaves. The resulting mixture will have to brush your teeth in addition to the usual hygiene procedures. The paste is harmless and you can use it every day.
On a note!
Recipes from the Web encourage users to brush their teeth with a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. However, such experiments are fraught with irritation of the teeth and gums and can contribute to the destruction of the enamel.
Expert comment
Vladimir Losev, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Chief Physician of the Dental Clinic
Comprehensive oral hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent various dental pathologies. Today, many people use irrigators and dental floss (floss) as additional means of cleansing the oral cavity along with toothbrushes and pastes. But the list of useful procedures that can be applied at home does not end there. Today we will talk about what other means to improve oral health can be used at home.
In the first place among home methods, you can put mouth rinses. Rinsers can be either purchased at a store or pharmacy, or self-prepared based on herbs, soda solution, etc.
Why do you need a mouthwash?
Often poor oral hygiene, when abundantly soft and hardened plaque is fixed on the teeth, causes inflammation of the gum mucosa. Which in turn can provoke both bad breath and inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa. Rinses quite often have an antiseptic effect, contain chlorhexidine or zinc citrate in their composition — both components are able to inhibit the growth of pathogenic flora, prevent the formation of plaque and, as a result, prevent the appearance of bad breath. Enzymes, which are part of ready-made mouthwashes, effectively cope with the removal of bacterial plaque on the surface of the teeth.
To prevent gum disease, you can use herbal rinses to help reduce gum inflammation.
The most popular herbs in this case are chamomile, sage and oak bark.
- Chamomile rinses have a pronounced antiseptic and soothing effect. Chamomile contains bioflavonoids, oils, luteolin, bisabolol, apigenin.
- Oak bark has excellent astringent properties. It contains tannins that protect the surface of the mucosa and fight microorganisms, so oak bark is one of the most effective means of maintaining healthy gums.
- Sage contains essential oils that help relieve inflammation. Also, rinsing with sage helps to fight the fungus in the oral cavity.
In addition to herbs, rinses are also widely used in everyday life, which not only help stop the growth of pathogenic bacteria and even eliminate pain.
- Baking soda — has an antibacterial effect and at the same time can lighten teeth to a slight extent. It is not difficult to prepare a solution with soda: just dissolve a teaspoon of the product in a glass of warm boiled water, wait until the soda dissolves and the water cools down. Soda neutralizes the acidic environment in the mouth, which leads to various problems with the teeth.
- Salt — for the preparation of rinsing, you can use any salt: table, iodized and even sea. The solution is prepared at the rate of a tablespoon per glass of water. Salt prevents the growth of pathogenic flora and disinfects the oral cavity.
- Rinse with soda, salt and iodine — this rinse helps to get rid of bleeding gums and restore the microflora of the oral cavity, has a powerful antiseptic effect. In a glass of water, add a teaspoon of salt and soda, as well as a couple of drops of iodine.
Role of curcumin in systemic and oral health: An overview / Nagpal M., Sood S. // J Nat Sci Biol Med. — 2013
Comparative evaluation of 0.1% turmeric mouthwash with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate in prevention of plaque and gingivitis: A clinical and microbiological study / Mali AM, Behal R., Gilda SS // J Indian Soc Periodontol. — 2012
Tooth brushing, oil pulling and tissue regeneration: A review of holistic approaches to oral health / Singh A., Purohit B. // J Ayurveda Integr Med. — 2011
[ad_2]
