10 Jan 2023 Teeth are covered in an outer coating called enamel. Each day, a thin layer of bacteria called dental plaque builds up on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that can harm enamel and cause cavities. Brushing and flossing your teeth every day, can prevent decay, but once a cavity forms, a dentist must fix it with a filling, to avoid damage.
Toothpaste containing fluoride protects your teeth from decay. If you are at a higher risk for tooth decay you might need more fluoride. Your dentist may give you a fluoride treatment, if he suspects a possible dental infection or plaque buildup.
Gum disease begins when plaque builds up on your teeth and tooth cavities. Plaque causes an inflammation that causes the gum and bone to pain, which holds your teeth in place. A mild form of gum disease may make your gums red, tender, and more likely to bleed. This problem, called gingivitis, can often be fixed by brushing and flossing every day. A severe form of gum disease, called periodontitis, must be treated by a dentist. If not treated beforehand, this infection can lead to sore, bleeding gums, painful chewing problems, and even tooth loss.
Importance of Herbs and Spices for Teeth.
Herbs play an important role in Ayurveda. Herbs relieve stress and tension, strengthens heart health, and makes our bones strong and healthy. Herbs also have an important role in tooth health. Peppermint is an important herb that freshens our breath and also has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also anti-bacterial which helps to fight against oral disease. Mint is used in lemonades, food and in teas.
Green tea is also an important natural ingredient very good for tooth. It eliminates the harmful bacteria inside the mouth. Green tea contains naturally occurring fluorine, which protects our teeth and mouth, and prevents tooth decay. Green tea can also be used to gargle or swish to prevent throat infection. Green tea can also be used as mouthwash. Green tea also helps eliminate bad bacteria of the gut, enabling digestion. Green tea also burns fat and helps in metabolism.
Licorice root is an important herb, which helps slow down tooth decay and gum disease. Chewing on licorice root, wards off bacteria since it has antimicrobial properties. However, it is important to remember that licorice is not the same as licorice candy. Licorice is available in local drug stores and is best known for its toxicity-fighting properties, treatment tooth decay, and gum disease.
In addition to natural remedies, general changes in diet can also help to slow the advance of tooth decay. Consuming sweet, sugary snacks and sweetened drinks such as fruit juices or sodas, on an everyday basis helps the tooth decay to spread by feeding the harmful bacteria. Reducing your consumption of sugary snacks and beverages and using a straw while consuming drinks like soda and fruit juices, so the sticky sugars does not touch your teeth can help.
Brushing and flossing immediately afterward, followed up by a good antibacterial mouthwash, can retain and restore teeth. The whole idea here is to prevent sugar residue from remaining in your mouth and feeding the harmful bacteria, which will allow them to multiply and spread.
Brushing with Neem sticks or chewing on the leaves or seeds destroys cavity-causing bacteria. The powerful oil in this plant acts as a powerful remedy for oral infections, tooth decay, and for preventing bleeding and sore gums. All over India, sticks of neem are used as chewing sticks to reduce oral bacteria and naturally clean, whiten and brighten teeth and even fight bad breath.
When it comes to herbs and spices, the first and foremost thing everyone can relate to is turmeric powder. Because of its medicinal properties, turmeric helps in better and faster healing of the gums. The anti-inflammatory action of curcumin present in turmeric fights against gum infections and reduces gum swelling.
We are very fond of onions, whether raw or cooked since it adds a lovely flavor to the food. Onion when consumed raw may lead to bad breath but it is at the same time very good in killing the bacteria in the mouth. Onions have anti-microbial properties that prevent gum diseases and prevents cavities and plaque. You can simply place onion on the painful tooth or chew it. Onion is also very good for hair and is often used along with oil for hair growth.
Another important component for relieving tooth ache and dental problems are garlic. Garlic contains allicin. Allicin is an anti-bacterial agent that helps in relieving tooth pain. For sudden tooth problems, chills and pain, one can simply chew on a clove of garlic to reduce pain and infection.
Thyme leaves are small herbs, which are excellent seasoning agents. Along with having antiseptic properties, it is also anti-fungal in nature. Using thyme leaves or thyme oil can prevent various infections in the mouth and our body. It is used as seasonings so as to prevent the accumulation of bad bacteria in our gut or stomach. Thyme oil can be directly added to teeth if you want. They are very small leaves and you can even chew them, if you want.
Cinnamon Bark is used in various foods and desserts for its flavor. Apart from that it can also be chewed raw, for its anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. The high aldehyde content of this bark, firms and strengthens oral tissue, reduces surface inflammation and creates a protective layer from infection. Including cinnamon in our diet has a range of benefits that also works as a painkiller to relieve toothaches. Also bay leaves boiled in water reduce bad breath.
Lavender is widely for its healing property. This oil comes is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic and has stimulant properties, in treating natural dental and oral remedies. Lavender is also very effective against preventing bad breath, healing damaged tissue and provides soothing relief from mouth pain. Its aroma is so powerful a sedative that it calms your nervous system. It is, therefore, an amazing stress-buster. Lavender is also used in essential oils, for body spa and message, for the relaxing and rejuvenated feeling.
As we all know, clove is a great pain reliever that even dentists use it on their patients after surgery, being a natural analgesic and antiseptic, primarily because of its component eugenol. Clove oil is known for reducing pain and inflammation and has a powerful numbing effect on the mouth.
Clove oil is also an excellent natural antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral and can treat various ailments such as indigestion, headaches, and asthma, stress and blood impurities. However, the most important and common use of clove oil is in dental care for its excellent antiseptic ability to numb and relieve pain.
Eucalyptus is another important herb, known widely for its aroma. It has antifungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and stimulating properties. Eucalyptus boosts blood circulation and aids in healing. It is ideal for reducing oral infections and in treating mouth ulcers.
Holy Basil is native to India also known as Tulsi. It has antibacterial and astringent properties which help to keep away bacteria from the mouth. It is a well-known herb which is known for its antibacterial properties for more than thousand years. Tulsi leaves are very effective in treating oral infections and infections of the digestive tract.
Sage is part of the mint family and has several nutrients. It contains vitamin K, known for its important role in bone health and blood clotting. Sage is loaded with antioxidants that may help protect cells, prevent gum diseases and inflammation, and other oral diseases, and in wound healing.
Rosemary is another herb of mint family that is loaded with anti-inflammatory properties and contains anti-oxidants, that boosts the immune system, helping in blood circulation. Rosemary promotes good oral health. Calcium present in rosemary strengthens tooth enamel and bones.
Keep your oral health in mind while gardening.
Outdoor gardening is also good for your overall health because it is moderate exercise. Not only can you reap the oral health benefits of the herbs you grow, but make sure to protect your oral health while gardening by:
• Put on a wide-brimmed hat and use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher to protect yourself from sun damage and cancer.
• Always avoid dry mouth by staying hydrated with water.
• Prevent yourself from accidents by taking care when you use gardening tools.
• When gardening, you come in contact with various micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi, so make sure to wash your hands before touching your mouth and face.
How to strengthen tooth enamel naturally?
The best natural and home remedies required for strengthening your tooth enamel revolve around better tooth care and certain hygiene or lifestyle habits. Natural tooth enamel remedies to strengthen and protect your teeth include the following:
Try non-acidic foods: Certain foods and vegetables, dairy products such as milk, and foods or drinks containing fluoride – notably spinach, grapes and black tea – are helpful for you and will be useful to naturally restore enamel.
Choose non-sugar alternatives: Opting for a sugar-free alternative to your favourite chewing gum, soft drink or other high-sugar indulgence is a good habit to start, since sugar wears down your enamel. Most soft drinks have diet or sugar-free varieties. Nowadays even desserts are available in sugar free options.
Use fluoride toothpaste: A proximal fluoride toothpaste will give you a better chance of maximizing how effective your brushing routine is for your teeth. Good oral care is the most significant thing you can do to prevent enamel erosion.
Drink water: Increase your water intake to rinse saliva and bacteria from your teeth after eating. Hydration is important for many functions in the body and most people do not get enough. Water is completely harmless to the teeth and the body, so it is a perfect drink.
Take supplements: If you are lacking the necessary vitamins and calcium opt for supplements, to restore them in your body.
The above-mentioned points are simple habits and natural home remedies on how to prevent teeth erosion. These tips can strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth from forming a yellow layer, but you will need to see a dentist to confirm you do not require further treatment.
Best Foods for your tooth
Cheese, Milk, and Yogurt
Many of us may be unaware of the fact that cheese is one of the best foods for healthy tooth. First, because, it is low in sugar content and high in calcium content.
Cheese contains casein, a protein that is particularly useful for fortifying tooth enamel. It is high in calcium, important for maintaining bone density. Cheese also has a high phosphate content, which helps balance pH levels in the mouth, which helps to preserve the tooth enamel.
Another great reason cheese is great for our teeth is that chewing it increases saliva production, which helps to wash away bacteria in the mouth.
Milk is still the best drink when it comes to your teeth and overall body. It’s rich in calcium and other important elements. Milk, just like cheese, also lowers the acid levels in the mouth, which helps fighting tooth decay. Yogurt is packed with calcium and probiotics that protect you against cavities, gum disease and even bad breath.
Water
Water is by far the healthiest drink available, and the one our body can’t do without. Our bodies are made of 60% water, and staying hydrated helps our system get rid of waste, gives your skin a healthy glow and keeps your muscles moving. Drinking water keeps the saliva production intact. It also contains fluoride that helps maintain tooth health. Swishing with water removes all the food particles stuck in tooth.
Leafy Greens (Spinach, Lettuce, Kale)
Leafy greens, such as Spinach, Lettuce and Kale are rich in calcium, folic acid and lots of important vitamins and minerals that your teeth and gums love. Crunchy fresh greens in salads and sandwiches help in cleaning your teeth.
Apples and Pears
Eating apples and other hard fruits can help clean your teeth and increases salivation, which can neutralize the citric and malic acids left behind in your mouth. Sugary apple juice may contribute to tooth decay, fresh apples are less likely to cause problems. The fibrous texture of apples stimulates your gums, reducing cavity-causing bacteria and increasing saliva flow.
Nuts
Nuts are packed with tons of important elements like calcium, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B6 and phosphorus. Almonds, Brazil nuts and cashews, are very beneficial to help fight bacteria that lead to tooth decay.
Cashews are known to stimulate saliva and walnuts contain everything from fiber, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, iron, niacin, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium and zinc.
Meats and Fatty Fish
Chewing meat produces saliva. Saliva is good, because it decreases acidity in your mouth, aids digestion and washes away particles of food that lead to decay. Red meat and even organ meats are especially beneficial. Fatty fish (like salmon), and tofu are loaded with phosphorus, an important mineral for protecting tooth enamel.
Tea and Coffee
Green and black teas are rich in polyphenols and offers a number of other health benefits. Tea particularly green tea and black coffee is beneficial for tooth health. Green tea, particularly has anti-inflammatory properties that has a range of benefits.