Natural Oral Care That Could Send You to the Dentist
The whole point of oral care, beyond your routine health and hygiene, is to keep your teeth and gums healthy. You brush your teeth, floss, rinse and even use whitening kits if you feel the shade is not what it should be. You may have decided to go an all natural route with your oral care recently. The problem is your natural care could cause you issues that send you to the dentist before you are ready for your annual checkup. Here are a few of those natural options and how they can cause more damage than help.
Baking Soda Pastes
One of the first things that may cause your teeth more harm is the use of abrasives such as baking soda. This ingredient is generally used to help remove plaque buildup and stains and to help whiten teeth. Using baking soda twice a day for routine cleanings can actually break down the enamel on the teeth causing sensitive tooth reactions. This means you will notice that cold foods, hot foods or even extremely sweet foods may be painful to you when they were not before. To avoid this issue, cut down to using the baking soda once to twice a week instead.
Essential Oils
Though most essential oils are safe, you need to make sure the ones you are using are pure and food grade. Keep in mind that some companies have developed oils they label as essential but in fact are oil infusions. These oils may be suitable for fragrance, but may not have the same health benefit you may think they do. For example, you may think that clove oil will help your tooth pain. Though pure essential clove oil has been shown to help tooth pain and gum pain, using a fragrance oil or clove oil blend may not offer the same health benefits. It is the difference between using a medicine versus using something that smells like the medicine. One item has the benefits; the other just has the scent.
Oil Pulling Methods
Oil pulling methods are pretty easy to follow. You use a tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil and swish it around in your mouth for 20 minutes or more. When you are done, you spit out the oil and with that the toxins and other bacteria in your mouth. The problem is that is usually where instructions stop. Some people simply use a mouthwash after oil pulling while others do a full brushing routine. If you are using the mouthwash method only, you could be leaving bacteria behind and trapping it with the oil. This could cause further sensitivity or plaque buildup. This would eventually lead you to a dental appointment that could become costly.
If you are using any of these natural methods, you may need some expert assistance on how to use the routines and natural oral care methods correctly. Most dentists are not against natural care and would be happy to inform of you of the proper methods to use and ingredients during a consultation. Keep in mind that this dentist appointment can be used a preventative consultation as well as show some issues you may not know you have.