Essential oils are time-tested treasures gaining new popularity among fans everywhere. These potent liquids are fun and fresh ingredients you can customize for almost any oral hygiene need. As with any DIY dental treatment, do your research and be cautious. Not all oils are safe to ingest, and some may hurt you if applied directly to your skin. Essential oils are distilled from plants and usually sold singularly with one ingredient per bottle, although you can also find oil blends. Like other supplements, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate their safety or efficacy.
Those in the natural health field are concerned that dangerous chemicals in conventional health products may hinder natural bodily functions, especially the endocrine system. The attraction to using essential oils in dentistry is that they may not pose such a risk to the body. Cinnamon, peppermint, spearmint, myrrh, clove, and tea tree essential oils are all believed to be antimicrobial, which means they kill germs that cause pain, disease, and decay. Myrrh oil may also soothe and heal gums by increasing blood flow to the tissue, and clove oil may aid in numbing pain.
While each person has unique dentistry needs, these are the three main things most patients care about: gum disease, tooth decay, and halitosis (bad breath). Below are two simple ways to apply the healing powers of essential oils to your oral hygiene routine:
Used in conjunction with regular brushing and flossing, essential oils can be a powerful part of your preventative oral hygiene routine. As always, make sure you run everything by your dentist—especially DIY ventures and less conventional practices. If you’d like to get a more in-depth, professional opinion on the matter, call your Benbrook dentists, Dr. Ryan Knight, and Dr. Cindy Knight at Chisholm Trail Dental and make an appointment today!
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Sources
http://bodyunburdened.com/top-5-essential-oils-healthy-teeth-and-gums/
http://draxe.com/gum-disease-natural-cures-causes/
http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/Products/ucm127054.htm
http://www.goodgirlgonegreen.com/how-to-clean-your-toothbrush-naturally/
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