We were recently asked about what is the best oral care strategy. Think: what is the best oral care product? Are you following a guide?
In this article, we will explore the best ways to handle your oral care. We will start by discussing the different types of products that are available. Then, we will provide a guide to handling your oral care in a natural and holistic way.
Let’s get started!
Why is Oral Health So Important?
Your oral health is important for many reasons. Your mouth is the gateway to your body. What you eat and drink passes through your mouth and into your body. This means that what you put into your mouth can either help or harm your overall health. If you have a mouth infection, check out this post on foods that help.
Also, your mouth is home to millions of bacteria. Some of these bacteria are good for your health, but some can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Cleaning and keeping your mouth healthy is clearly extremely important.
Most people think the problems that come from poor oral care are limited to the mouth. However, poor oral health has been linked to a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
The Different Products Available for Oral Care
So what is the best oral care product? There are actually a number of different products available. You’ll be familiar with these products but are probably not familiar with the more natural/holistic perspective that is often overlooked.
Toothbrushes
The most common tool for oral care is the toothbrush. Toothbrushes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and bristles. Recognize the importance of finding a toothbrush that is comfortable for you to use and that will reach all the areas of your mouth.
But what you may not put much thought towards is the bristles. You want to make sure that the bristles are not too rough on your teeth or gums. Also, you want to choose a toothbrush with soft bristles. This will help to protect your teeth and gums from damage. With that in mind, electric toothbrushes are often a good choice because they have softer bristles than manual toothbrushes.
Toothpaste
What is the best oral care toothpaste? Most people are under the impression that fluoride is essential for maintaining dental health. However, the truth is that fluoride is a corrosive chemical that can actually damage teeth and cause other health problems. Fluoride is added to toothpaste in order to increase its effectiveness in preventing cavities.
However, this substance is also very abrasive and can wear down tooth enamel over time. In addition, fluoridated water has been linked to an increased risk of bone cancer. For these reasons, you’re best off avoiding toothpaste that contains fluoride and instead opt for a natural alternative. There are many effective herbal remedies for keeping teeth clean and healthy, so there’s no need to expose yourself to the risks of fluoride.
Mouthwash
And what is the best oral care mouthwash? Like toothpaste, mouthwash is often loaded with chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Alcohol is a common ingredient in mouthwash, and while alcohol may help to kill bacteria, alcohol can also dry out your mouth and lead to other problems.
In addition, many types of mouthwash contain fluoride, which as we discussed earlier, can be harmful to your health. For these reasons, just avoid mouthwashes that contain these chemicals and instead opt for a natural alternative.
Tongue Cleaning
Tongue cleaning is an important part of oral care, but is often overlooked. Your tongue can harbor a lot of bacteria, which can lead to bad breath and other problems. The most important thing is to find a tongue cleaner that is comfortable for you to use so you stay in the habit.
In addition, you want to make sure that the tongue cleaner is made of a soft material. This will help to protect your tongue from damage. Other things to look out for when choosing a tongue cleaner are the size and shape. You want to make sure that the tongue cleaner can reach all areas of your tongue.
Floss
Flossing is another important part of oral care that is often overlooked. Flossing helps to remove plaque and bacteria from between your teeth, which can help to prevent cavities and gum disease. When it comes to considering what is the best oral care floss, it’s something that is often overlooked.
There are actually a number of different types of floss available. Find one that is comfortable for you to use. In addition, you want to make sure that the floss is made of soft material so that there’s no damage to your teeth or gums. Unfortunately, floss often has chemicals added. Read the labels carefully and choose a natural option. Chemicals to avoid are fluoride and triclosan.
Are You Using a Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator?
When considering what is the best oral care strategy, don’t forget about the value of using a hydrofloss oral irrigator. Oral irrigators represent a great way to clean your teeth and gums. Best of all, these devices are a highly effective way to remove unwanted plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums, which can help to prevent cavities and gum disease.
In addition, oral irrigators can actually help to reduce gum pockets that are associated with gum disease. Speak to a biological dentist for more details and the best way to use this device.
Guide to Handling Your Oral Care
Now that we know the products that are available and have a natural perspective on the way oral care should be treated, let’s take a deeper dive into our guide to answering the question “What is the best oral care strategy?”.
Best Practices for Brushing
We all know that we should brush our teeth twice a day. But what many people don’t realize is that this simple dental hygiene habit can have a profound impact on our overall health. Brushing our teeth removes plaque and other bacteria from our mouths, which helps to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Just remember to always brush in one direction – away from the gum line toward the end of the tooth.
Furthermore, studies have shown that good oral health can also reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Be careful with your teeth when brushing, as well. You want to make sure that you’re using a toothbrush with soft bristles and that you’re not brushing too hard.
Also, make sure that you’re using toothpaste that is devoid of fluoride and other harmful chemicals. Lastly, be aware that your tongue is the primary hiding place for bad breath so brushing your tongue is very beneficial.
Floss Once or Twice a Day
As we discussed earlier, flossing is an important part of oral care. Flossing helps to remove unwanted debris from between our teeth, which can help to prevent cavities and gum disease. Floss once or twice a day, and you want to be sure that you’re using a natural floss that is free of chemicals.
Getting in the habit of flossing is hard for most people, but making the effort is the first step to healthier teeth and gums.
Visit a Biological Dentist Regularly
This is probably a new term for you. Biological dentists tend to avoid the use of fluoride and other harmful chemicals in their dental practice. They also focus on using mercury-free fillings and the safe removal of amalgam fillings, which can greatly improve the quality of your health.
Biological dentists are a great option for people who are looking for a more holistic approach to oral care. Professionals recommend you see them twice a year for regular cleanings and check-ups. If you have serious health issues, you may want to schedule a visit every 3 months.
Stay Away From Smoking and Drinking
Smoking and drinking are both extremely harmful to our oral health. Smoking stains our teeth and increases our risk for gum disease and cancer. Drinking excessively dries out our mouths and can lead to tooth decay.
Avoid smoking and drinking as much as possible. If you do smoke or drink, be sure to brush and floss your teeth afterward. We aren’t going to discuss all the other health problems that come from smoking and drinking.
Drink Lots of Clean Water
One of the best ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy is by drinking plenty of water. Water helps to rinse away food particles and bacteria, keeping your mouth clean and preventing the build-up of plaque.
What’s more, clean (filtered) water is essential for keeping your saliva levels up, which helps to neutralize the acids in your mouth that can damage tooth enamel.
Stay Away From Sugary Foods
Sugary foods are one of the worst things for our teeth. They cause cavities and tooth decay. We have to limit our intake of sugary foods and brush our teeth after eating them.
For kids, getting into this habit near Halloween is very beneficial. Make sure your kids limit their candy intake, drink enough water and brush their teeth in between any candy binges. With all the sugary products available, avoiding them altogether is pretty challenging, but being aware of how much sugar we are consuming can save you a lot of money.
Conclusion
To the people asking us about what is the best oral care strategy, you can rest easy with this guide. Oral care is extremely important for our overall health. By following the tips in this guide, you can help to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy for years to come.
Taking a more natural/holistic approach to oral care is the best way to go.