Written by Kerry Pieri

The simple truth is that from a holistic standpoint, there is no area of the body that can be separated from the whole. If the mouth is out of balance, everything is out of balance. In short, oral health is pivotal to maintaining overall health. Which isn’t to say there aren’t ways to focus your energy to maintain your teeth and gums. From oil pulling to mouth taping, tongue scraping and nasal cleansing, we have some ideas to bring your brushing and flossing routine up a few notches. For those who are truly committed, taking things like stress and diet into consideration are also key to maintaining your glowing smile from the inside out. Delve into the realm of oral health—from ozone to probiotic toothpaste—with 9 ways to optimize your dental well-being now. 

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling simply involves using an oil such as coconut oil and swishing it around in your mouth for a period of time—ideally 15-20 minutes a few days a week.. Coconut oil is known to have antimicrobial properties and can help control the bacteria in the mouth that lead to tooth decay and gum disease. One study found that in 50% of subjects, the susceptibility for cavities was reduced from “marked” to “slight” after 40 days of oil pulling and in another,  harmful mouth bacteria was reduced by 20% overall. As a bonus for your metabolism, one of the predominant fats in coconut oil, medium chain triglyceride (MCTs), can enter the bloodstream sublingually during the process of oil pulling which can support the metabolism and hormonal imbalance. 

Tongue Scraping

Another quick and easy way to reduce mouth bacteria is via tongue scraping. Of course, brushing your tongue is helpful, but Seemann’s study reported that “using a tongue cleaner, a combination of a toothbrush and a tongue scraper, is more effective in reducing bad breath than using regular toothbrushes, or a tongue scraper.” Plus it makes your tongue feel very clean which is just a bonus. 

A Dentist Who Uses Ozone

Ozone (O3) is a magical substance that has gained popularity in recent years for its ability to kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. It’s used in everything from treating chronic disease (lyme, mold, etc.) to dental health. Ozone has benefits both as a gas and when infused with water. The gas has an amazing ability to penetrate deep into the gums where the bacteria often hide. The water can be used by your dental hygienist as part of your routine cleaning. According to Dr. Shannon McCarthy, “A lot of the current dental practices that remove tooth decay from the mouth require procedures that may be invasive. However, ozone therapy is not one of those practices. When a patient goes in for ozone therapy treatment, their mouths may not have to undergo anything surgical or even painful.” Ozone therapy is most prevalent at holistic dentist offices, but it’s beginning to find its way mainstream. It can also be used at home if you purchase an ozone machine and a water pic. The ozone water can be run through the water pic to perform a cleaning that almost rivals your dentist's office. Almost.  

Use Probiotic Toothpaste with Manuka Honey

Bacterial balance plays a huge role in the human body.  The main conversation in this realm revolves around the gut and taking a probiotic to support the optimal balance of bacteria in the gut—but, bacterial balance in the mouth is of crucial importance. While sugar is often considered the culprit in tooth decay, it is really the “bad” bacteria that invade the mouth that drive gum disease and tooth decay. The bacteria that causes tooth decay has even been referred to as an “infectious disease” according to The University of Illinois College of Dentistry. A probiotic toothpaste that can help add beneficial bacteria to the mouth is a great way to support the balance and keep things in check. Manuka honey, an ingredient that can be added to toothpaste, is also naturally antibacterial. 

Mouth Taping

Mouth taping has gained popularity in recent years for improving sleep. The idea is that when we sleep with our mouth open we resort to mouth breathing rather than nasal breathing. This is suboptimal from a health perspective and often leads to sleep which is not as restorative as it should be and possibly a variety of other health issues. Many people report that upon taping the mouth closed at night, they notice considerable improvements in sleep and energy levels.  What most don’t know is that sleeping with your mouth open can often proliferate the growth of negative bacteria in your mouth. “Prolonged mouth breathing can cause not only dental disease but also physical changes, such as an imbalance of craniofacial muscle activity and deformation of head posture produced by positional changes of the tongue, lips, and mandible,” according to this MDPI study. You can buy tape made for this specific purpose, but of course, it is best to check with your holistic medical professional before making this change.

Nose Cleaning:

“Nasal hygiene is just as important as oral hygiene,” Dr. Leedia Riman tells Agent Nateur. “If you're breathing through your mouth, it's to your detriment, because it dries you out. You don't create as much nitric oxide, which is important for dilation. Dilation is important for oxygen transfer through your vessels. If you're not breathing through your nose consistently, your body isn't oxygenated properly and bad bacteria flourishes in non-oxygenated areas.” Of course, there’s a whole system that accounts for breathing properly, but spraying your nose with Xylitol saline spray helps keep your passages clean. This is especially helpful on airplanes where it can get very dry. 

Your Diet Insights

One of the most comprehensive studies on dental health was done by Weston A. Price. It’s intensive but worth a read. To summarize, he found that the presence of fat soluble vitamins in the diet was one of the most important drivers in supporting optimal dental health. The three main fat soluble vitamins mentioned in his work are vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 is the vitamin that plays a major role in determining where calcium goes in the body. If you want calcium to end up in your teeth and bones it can help to have it in your diet or to supplement. Great dietary sources of these vitamins are grass-fed butter and cream, pasture-raised eggs, cheeses such as Gouda and brie and the traditional japanese food known as natto. Also, spend a little time in the sun. 

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine

While most would not consider acupuncture for dental health, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are several links between organs in the body and the gums and teeth. Chief among those is the Stomach Meridian. In traditional Chinese medicine, stomach imbalances can often manifest as issues in the gums, teeth, and jaw. Also, imbalances in the large intestine meridian can impact the gums. While most conventional studies stay within the realm of acupuncture for alleviating dental pain, many practitioners work with clients to ensure that overall these energy channels are balanced, which can go a long way to support both your dental health and your overall health. 

Focus on Reducing Stress

Stress is a giant detriment to your health overall. But two important possible negative effects of staying in a regular state of fight or flight is teeth grinding and clenching, which wears down molars and causes jaw pain. When you search for ways to lessen teeth grinding you’ll probably get a link to mouth guard or face massages, but addressing the root issue starts with becoming conscious of how you spend your days. Implement positive daily practices like meditation, belly breathing, and regular fitness—and stay away from devices hours before bed. You could also integrate Agent Nateur’s Calm Beauty to your evening routine to help sleep better and relax before bed.