You can’t be healthy without a healthy mouth
Did you know that your oral health can affect the health of your entire body?
Your teeth are organs that are critical for the proper functioning of your whole body. Infections or an imbalance of bacteria in the mouth can lead to infections or inflammation in other body systems.
Optimizing your dental routine will not only help to prevent gum disease and cavities but can even make a difference for your overall health in the long run.
Conditions that are caused or made worse by gum disease include:
- IBS
- Diabetes
- Weight gain
- Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Low birthweight and premature birth
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
There are three main factors when it comes to how healthy your teeth and mouth are. a healthy mouth
- What you eat and drink
- How well you take care of your mouth
- Mouth vs nose breathing
Foods to avoid:
- Candy (Especially sticky types)
- Soda
- Crackers like goldfish and saltines
Foods to enjoy:
- Pasture Raised eggs
- Salmon
- Dark chocolate
- Nuts
- Mushrooms
- Leafy greens
☀️ Morning Routine
- Drink water: A dry mouth is not a healthy mouth and water is what makes up saliva! You need the proper amount of water in your saliva to help break down food, neutralize bacteria, and stave off tooth decay. Rehydrating first thing in the morning is essential because saliva production slows overnight. That first glass of water can help balance the pH of your mouth.
- Floss: Flossing is vital because your toothbrush can’t get into those tight crevices between your teeth. Floss helps to remove food debris and plaque from those hard-to-reach places. Flossing first before brushing has been shown to reduce plaque better than brushing followed by flossing.
- Brush: Overnight bacteria thrive in the mouth, creating a biofilm that builds up on the surface of the teeth. Brushing in the morning helps to disrupt and break up this layer of bacteria and plaque.
- Oil pull: If you have inflammation or bleeding gums, swishing coconut oil in your mouth for just a few minutes daily can help. Put a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth, swish it around and then be sure to spit it out in the garbage, NOT the sink, as it can clog the pipes. If you don’t have an inflammatory issue, then oil pulling a few times a month still benefits your gums.
🌗 Evening Routine
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Tongue scrape: This helps to remove excess bacteria from the mouth. After brushing and flossing, place the tongue scraper on the back of your tongue. If your gag reflex is initiated, you can set the scraper in the middle of your tongue and slowly work your way back. Gently move the scraper down towards the tip of your tongue without pressing or putting any pressure on it. It should never hurt or feel uncomfortable. Cover the entire tongue twice, usually about 7-10 strokes.
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Floss: Once again, before brushing your teeth, but this time we are also removing any food debris that accumulated throughout the day.
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Brush: Using hydroxyapatite toothpaste can help to remineralize your teeth as this ingredient is a natural mineral that makes up our teeth. Be sure NOT to rinse after using this type of toothpaste, because it keeps working even after you brush.
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Mouth tape: While this might sound weird, I am a huge fan of this practice for oral health and optimal breathing at night. I have been doing this for years and without it, my mouth would be wide open all night. All you are doing is gently helping your mouth to stay closed while sleeping so that you can breathe through your nose and keep your mouth from drying out, which is not good for your teeth! Many companies make tape specifically for your mouth that is gentle on the skin, or you can use medical tape.
- Be wary of the mouthwash. Most formulas will do more harm than good. Anti-septics mouthwash disinfect the mouth, which also means killing all the good bacteria in the mouth. Even the natural kinds with essential oils can kill off the good bacteria along with the bad if they are too strong. Mouthwash also has the potential to irritate your gums and mouth even more.
