10 steps for the best oral health

Spread the knowledge!

The Basics of holistic oral health

If you’re anything like me, you grew up thinking brushing and flossing were the most (and maybe the only) important habits for keeping your mouth healthy. Unfortunately, conventional dentistry still pushes this message and there are better alternatives to have the best oral health.

There’s a lot more to it, some within our control and some not so much. We can’t go back in time and ask our mothers to consume more eggs and trace minerals before conceiving. But we can form healthy habits and pass them on to the next generation.

The common practices of routine wisdom teeth extraction, braces, and fillings are only necessary to the degree they’re used today because of the standard western diet, generational deficiencies, and devices that lead to a high and narrow palate.

I believe in keeping things as natural as possible, I believe our bodies are designed to operate as an integrated connected system, I believe that our oral microbiome and our gut microbiome are key factors in our overall health and wellness. I believe that some cavities can be healed.

See this as a leaping off point for your own research, not advice specific to your situation. There is so much more to the topics I’m about to cover, which will end up being a continued series on my blog. Some people need a lot more than mouth tape and coconut oil to heal a lifetime of mouth breathing and soda drinking.

How does oral health affect our overall health?

As the world around us gets increasingly overloaded with chemicals that are harmful to us, our body’s toxic load becomes more and more overwhelmed. Our internal trash will get fuller and fuller eventually overflowing and out of control. That is why it is SO important to make better and safer choices for our families. This includes our dental work.

Traditional dental materials contain BPA’s, fluoride compounds, various metal alloys, mercury, and more. These materials aren’t just around for a little while, they sit in your mouth ALL day EVERY day, mixing with your saliva and getting absorbed into the body. Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body and how you treat your teeth and gums can have lasting effects.

This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy. If you are purchasing from perfect supplements you can use my code JESSB10 for an additional 10% off

Here are just a few ways your oral health can affect your overall health:

1. Diabetic complications: Periodontal disease can make your blood sugar difficult to control and make your diabetes worse. People with diabetes are also prone to periodontal disease. It’s a vicious cycle.
2. Oral health is associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke, adverse pregnancy outcomes and lung health.
3. Heart disease: The bacteria from inflammation of the gum disease can enter your bloodstream and travel to the arteries in the heart.
4. Dementia: Gingivitis bacteria can enter your brain through nerve channels or the bloodstream, possibly leading to Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Raspatory infections: Inhaling bacteria from infected teeth and gums over a long period could lead to infections in the lungs, as well as pneumonia.
6. Rheumatoid arthritis: The more tooth loss due to gum disease, the higher the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Problems with conventional oral care and dentistry

Dental Amalgam Fillings

When mercury fillings were first introduced they were popular because they were inexpensive and easy to apply. However, dentists, who understood the toxic nature of mercury, strongly opposed its use. They knew that mercury could drive a person crazy (i.e. “mad hatter syndrome”). The American Dental Association acknowledges that elemental mercury vapor is constantly released from “silver” (mercury) fillings. If you have mercury fillings, you are being exposed to mercury every minute of every day. It absorbs into your body through the alveoli of your lungs and the lining of your gastro-intestinal tract.

Flouride

The use of fluoride, particularly in terms of adding it to community water supply, has been one of the hottest topics in community health over the past century. The assertion of the “pro-fluoride” people is that it will reduce the risk of tooth decay. It is a fact that when bound to enamel crystals, fluoride makes the enamel more acid resistant. What is not common knowledge is what happens to the overall health of the body after ingesting water treated with fluoride. Scientific studies have shown that prolonged exposure to fluoride can result in significant neurological impairment, especially in children. My best advice is to follow a healthy whole-food diet, drink plenty of purified water, move your body every day, and rest well. With those ingredients, your body will be able to maintain its own best health.

Funny store my conventional dentist told me at my last appointment that she can tell I use fluoride because my teeth are very “strong.” I couldn’t help but laugh inside. Little did she know, not only do I not use fluoride, but it has been well over a decade since I have LOL.

Root Canals

The best thing you can do for your overall health is to avoid this scenario as much as possible. Root canals can really wreak havoc on your health. A tooth is a living body part. Your teeth are connected to organs. When it dies, so does a part of you. How would this not have an effect on your health?

Science has shown going back more than 100 years that all dead teeth are filled with microbes. When a tooth is killed with a root canal, the energy which flows through those meridian decreases. This means that energy decreases to ALL of the organs and tissues on that meridian. Decreasing energy in your body is equivalent to increasing likelihood of death. The roots of root canal-treated teeth become completely infected within approximately 30 days.  If you’d like to learn more, I suggest picking up the book “Hidden Epidemic” by Dr. Thomas Levy. The science is excellent! There are usually other options your dentist isn’t sharing with you and I encourage you to find a holistic dentist (more on this below). Other options would be ceramic/zirconia implant, ceramic/zirconia bridge, or a partial denture.

Radiation in dental care

Getting an x-ray twice a year during your dental check-ups and getting countless x-rays during any procedure is a lot of radiation, which may increase your cancer risk. Because children are more sensitive to ionizing radiation and have a longer life expectancy, they have a higher relative risk for developing cancer from such radiation compared with adults. Most holistic dentists will provide other options instead of X-rays.

10 holistic steps to have the best oral health

Oral probiotics

The mouth is one of the first entry points for pathogens to enter the body, and the benefical bacteria that live there serve as our first line of denfense against invasive microorganisms.

When the bacteria living in the mouth isn’t the beneficial kind, illness is more likely to occur. Most bacteria are actually our friend! Not our foe. Over sanitizing your mouth with strong anti-microbial rinses can wreak havoc on your oral and overall wellness. Adding an oral probiotic with M18 and K12strands can make a huge difference. Bee propolis spray reduces bacteria in the mouth that is associated with conditions like Autism and PANS/PANDAS which are highly correlated to gut microbiome dysfunction.

Add Minerals

Dozens of minerals play a role in teeth and gum health. Among them are calcium, phosphorus, iodine, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, but this is far from a comprehensive list.

Eating a whole foods diet rich in minerals and vitamins is an absolute MUST for well rounded health. Dietary sources of these other important minerals are animal proteins including organ meats and seafood, eggs, grass-fed dairy, fibrous fruits, root veggies, and squash.

Supplements like Rosita cod liver oil and Trace mineral drops can help support remineralization and put a halt to cavities.

Use toothpaste like Just Ingredients Remineralize powder or Redmonds Earth paste. Most toothpaste includes the same chemical used to make paint and vinyl fences white. It’s best to avoid most commercial branded toothpaste that has an abundant of harmful chemicals.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in countless bodily functions. Unfortunately, not everybody gets enough of it and according to various estimates, 80% of adults are actually deficient in magnesium. Magnesium deficiency can manifest in many ways such as poor sleep, apnea, tooth decay, teeth grinding, TMJ pain, and tense facial muscles.

Floss

Did you know that your floss could be adding to your body’s toxic load? Meaning, toxins hiding on commercial floss enter into your bloodstream via flossing and add to toxic stress in your body! Chemicals like plastics, BPAs, PFAs, fluoride, artificial flavors, and more. These chemicals have been known to harm the immune system and have been associated with developmental issues, cancers, and more.

Flossing is important! Just make sure you’re choosing a brand that is non-toxic. Here are some of my favorites.

• Rise well: Hydroxyapatite-infused dental floss. Free of teflon, petroleum wax, and artificial flavors.
• Boka: Made with vegetable wax, it’s teflon-free petroleum free, and provides a thorough satisfying clean.
• Tree bird eco dental: Come with a refillable Glass Holder, naturally Waxed with Candelilla Wax. and 100% Compostable with 33yds/30m Natural Silk Spool.
• Ecoroots: Made with candelilla plant vegan wax, oraganic peppermint oil, organic tea tree oil, free of plastics and artifical flavors.

Clean your tongue

Have you ever noticed a “film” on your tongue?! Yeah, that’s bacteria! While we sleep, our body removes toxins and deposits them on our tongue and if you have bad breath, you’ll definitely want to invest in a tongue scraper. It’s the very first thing you should do in the morning before drinking any liquid or brushing your teeth.

A 2005 study published in Odonto-Stomatologie Tropicale, tongue cleaning may help to remove bad bacteria from your mouth and lower the risk of dental issues. Seems a bit bizarre but get to know your tongue. It is a map of your internal organs.

I have a stainless steel tongue scraper and a copper tongue scraper. Both are great, but overall I prefer a copper scraper. Copper is a bacteria-resistant metal and it also provides important enzymes that help beneficial microbes in the mouth!

Mouth taping and nose breathing

I wear a piece of tape over my mouth at night. I know, I know, so bizarre but hear me out!  Dr. Mark Burhenne, DDS considers mouth breathing the number one cause of cavities—even ahead of poor diet or bad dental hygiene! Basically, a dry mouth puts you at risk for bacteria growth. It also helps with snoring, teeth grinding, bad breath, and improved gut and immune health.

Any tape will work, dryft sleep strips are a great place to start, but if you don’t go with a sleep tape product, your best bet is 3M surgical tap. It won’t set you back much, and it won’t leave residue or harm your skin like regular tape might.

Chances are during your first several nights mouth taping, you’ll wake up and want to take off the mouth tape. You might even take it off in your sleep. It could take several days to over a week for your body to adjust, so don’t be hard on yourself.

Natural mouthwash

Conventional mouthwashes have some not-so-safe ingredients as well as dyes, artificial flavors, fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate, etc. Not to mention a sneaky culprit…. alcohol! The purpose is to kill off bacteria and act as an antiseptic. However, the risks of using antiseptic mouthwash far outweigh the benefits. They basically bomb your entire oral microbiome and wipe out all the beneficial bugs too!

Here is a list of my favorites:

• Briotech super oxidizing saline: This one is an arsenal in my cabinet. It is powered by Hypochlorous (HOCl), this gentle solution offers superior results against oral sensitivities caused by gingivitis, periodontitis, bleeding gums, and post-procedures. Formulated for results and contains 0% Alcohol, 0% Artificial Flavors/Dyes/Scents, 0% Additives, 0% Preservatives, and 0% Toxins.
• Dr. Brite Natural Whitening Mouthwash: consists of organic coconut oil, aloe vera, activated charcoal and non-acidic Vitamin C, which helps promote and restore healthy gums.
• Just Ingredient mouthwash and breath spray: Their Remineralizing Mouthwash brings together the power of meticulously selected ingredients, backed by extensive research and scientific studies. 

Oil Pulling

This has been the most helpful step in my oral hygiene. As soon as you wake up (before brushing your teeth) swish 1T of coconut oil in your mouth for approximately 15 minutes. Spit once done. Super simple and VERY effective.

Oil pulling helps increase the secretion of saliva and pull-out toxins, harmful bacteria, and fungus out of the teeth, gums, mouth, and throat. Research states that oil pulling improves your overall health, helps prevent plaque buildup, and is anti-bacterial.

Increase fat soluble vitamin intake

• Vitamin A helps in the development and maintenance of oral mucosal tissue (inner lining of the oral cavity).
  • Food sources: Liver, Cod-liver oil, milk, eggs, carrots, leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, and papaya.
• Vitamin D supplementation reduces tooth decay in children and lowers the severity of periodontal disease in adults. 
  • Food sources: Raw Milk, cheese, salmon, egg yolk, and cod liver oil.
• Vitamin E boosts the functioning of the body’s immune system and has antioxidant properties that prevent the occurrence of precancerous lesions that develop in the oral cavity before oral cancer.
  • Food sources: Collard greens, spinach, carrots, rose hip and fennel.

Control the PH of your mouth

Brush with baking soda once a day or every other day. You can make a paste with just baking soda and water. Do not use the conventional toothpaste that have baking soda in them because they are filled with other not so safe ingredients.

Baking soda has been shown to have antibacterial properties, which can help protect your teeth from decay.

A 2017 study showed that when you rinse your mouth with a baking soda and water solution, the pH in your mouth increases, making it less acidic. As a result, using baking soda as a toothpaste may make it harder for cavity-causing bacteria to multiply in your mouth.

You can also do a salt rinse using celtic sea salt. Salt eliminates microbes and makes the pH of the mouth alkaline, creating a neutral environment for brushing. This comes in handy after a meal when it is not an ideal time to brush your teeth right after. A salt rinse is also useful after eating citrus or high acid foods to neutralize the acidity. A warm salt brine rinse makes a great alternative to toxic mouthwashes.

Welcome new intentions rather than worrying about implementing new habits.

As you become more intentional in the ways you build yourself up, the old habits that don’t serve you will naturally fall off. Choose what works best for you and run with it!

Simplified breakdown for the best oral health

1. Oral probiotics
2. Add minerals
3. Floss
4. Clean your tongue
5. Mouth taping and nose breathing
6. Natural mouthwash
7. Oil Pulling
8. Increase fat soluble vitamin intake
9. Control the PH of your mouth
10. Welcome new intentions

How to find a holistic dentist

A holistic dentist (also known as a “natural, biological, or functional dentist”) uses a holistic, whole-body approach to trat the cause of the problem and not just the symptoms that manifest in the mouth.

Questions to ask your dentist:

1. Is your office mercury free and mercury safe?
2. What alternatives to root canals do you provide?
3. Do you avoid the use of flouride?
4. Do you offer alternatives to metal implants?
5. Do you offer o-zone treatments?
6. Do you use digital x-rays instead of film? (Less radiation)
7. Does your office offer alternatives to drill-based cavity treatments?

Search for a holistic dentist on the following websites:

• https://iaomt.org/for-patients/search/
• https://iabdm.org/location/

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional, and this post should not be taken as medical advice. Please do your own research. Material on this blog is provided for informational purposes only. It is general information that may not apply to you as an individual and is not a substitute for your own doctor’s medical care or advice.