This article was updated on January 22, 2024
Hi Friend!
I know we just met, but I’ve got something a little embarrassing to tell you…you’ve got a dirty, filthy mouth.
Actually, just kidding - it’s not embarrassing at all. Because truth be told, we all have dirty mouths. There are roughly 1,000 different types of bacteria that call your mouth “home.”
I’m really not trying to gross you out or anything, but that’s a lot of bacteria that can do VERY harmful, even downright DEADLY damage to your body, by way of infection, sepsis and inflammation. It can lead to things like diabetes, dementia, heart disease, cancer and even arthritis.
WHAT BACTERIA DOES IN YOUR MOUTH
You know that sticky layer called plaque on your teeth? That same layer your dentist uses those sharp instruments to scrape off your teeth?
Plaque is caused by bacteria and the acids it creates in your mouth and it leads to damage to your teeth, gums and your overall health.
That’s right, the acids in your mouth, caused by this “plaque” can break down and eat away the protective barrier around your teeth - your tooth enamel. As a result, that can cause tooth decay... which is simply your teeth rotting away.
And it doesn’t stop there!
This harmful bacteria can actually get inside your bloodstream by way of bleeding gums, rotten teeth and other mouth sores.
That’s called “leaky gut syndrome”.
You’ve heard of leaky gut? The oral cavity is the gateway for microorganisms into your body where they disseminate not only to the directly connected respiratory and digestive tracts but also to the many remote organs.
What happens in your mouth, does not stay in your mouth (it’s not Vegas after all!) The bacteria in your mouth actually affects your gut microbiome and can lead to many systemic diseases.[1]
This bacteria can invade your body and cause internal infection and inflammation in your organs. It’s true. Any kind of bleeding gums and rotting teeth can give this bacteria a way into your bloodstream and your body, making its way down to your organs.
THIS, my friend, is a BIG problem. This is called sepsis, which is the presence of harmful bacteria and toxins in your tissue, organs, and other body parts. It typically starts through infection of a wound.
Yes, it can occur through an opening in your mouth that leads into your bloodstream. It can be bleeding gums, cavities or other health issues in your mouth in which bacteria can make its way into your bloodstream and entire body. Once that happens, serious health issues like heart disease, pneumonia, dementia, and other diseases caused by inflammation may affect your overall health.
Bottom line, you can’t stay healthy without a healthy mouth. Period.
So how can you get rid of the plaque in your mouth and the bacteria causing it?
You won’t find the answer in your standard tube of toothpaste, or for that matter, from your dentist. True oral health requires a shift in your approach to oral care with natural products that deliver real results.
Maintaining and protecting your dental health isn’t difficult. In the time it takes to make a cup of coffee or scroll through your Facebook notifications, you can get rid of plaque and prevent the formation of tartar.
Commit to spending a few minutes to attack the bacteria in your mouth and you’ll avoid the nasty consequences of gum disease and give yourself a few more reasons to smile.
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Ditch Your Fluoride Toothpaste
There are SO many reasons
not to brush with a fluoride toothpaste but let’s just state the most important one - it’s a neurotoxin and it doesn’t even prevent cavities!
And then there is glycerine, found in most conventional toothpastes - which actually coats your teeth with a substance that ATTRACTS plaque.
The true purpose of brushing should be to remineralize your mouth and nurture the formation of healthy oral bacteria. Enhancing the overall health of your mouth, minimizing inflammation, and fighting harmful bacteria creates an environment where plaque and tartar can’t thrive.
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Use a Natural Tooth Powder
Unlike fluoride toothpaste, which introduces neurotoxins into your body and thwarts your mouth’s natural balance, natural tooth powder nurtures and enhances true oral health benefits:
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Strengthens your teeth and enamel
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Fights off harmful bacteria while protecting healthy bacteria
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Reduces and prevents sensitivity by remineralizing teeth
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Protects gums from decay and infection by fighting plaque and reducing inflammation
- Use a Charcoal Toothbrush
You’ve probably been brushing with that same type of $2.00 grocery store toothbrush since you were a toddler. Most people don’t realize there’s even another option! And while your standard, run-of-the-mill toothbrush gets the job done, an advanced charcoal-powered toothbrush can enhance and improve your oral health.
Consider switching to the
Charcoal Ion Toothbrush made from sustainable bamboo and charcoal-infused bristles. It sounds a little bougie, but charcoal’s negative ions help release the tartar and plaque molecules in your teeth, which makes them easier to remove. It’s simple and unassuming, and will give extra cleaning and whitening power to your normal brushing routine.
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Suck It Up and Floss!
It’s SO easy to floss - yet the American Dental Association revealed that only 16% of Americans floss regularly. Yet flossing is important and the only way to remove the food debris and bacteria lurking between the teeth.
You wouldn’t shave just one leg or wash only half your face, so why are you giving your floss the cold shoulder and only cleaning a portion of your mouth?
If you’re serious about learning how to get rid of plaque, flossing isn’t optional. It’s the only way to remove plaque from between the teeth and prevent decay and inflammation in those areas. You can
find floss in every flavor from mint to pickle juice (yes, really), so stock up and stop making excuses.
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Make Your Own Safe, Natural Mouthwash
Did you know that most
commercial mouthwash products are harsh, astringent, and bad for your mouth? That’s right — conventional mouthwash uses harsh ingredients that destroy all of the bacteria in your mouth — the good and the bad. It’s true that harmful bacteria need to be removed from your mouth, but there’s just as many healthy, productive bacteria that need to stay in place to maintain the balance of your oral microbiome.
Since a healthy oral microbiome helps to naturally remineralize your teeth, using conventional mouthwash on a daily basis may accelerate tooth decay instead of preventing it! Don’t let yourself be fooled by the clever marketing propaganda and flashy labels of regular mouthwash — you’re better off using gum “drops or oil” or making your own with essential oils.
Research shows that tea tree essential oil can naturally fight bacterial infections and kill oral pathogens. This makes it an excellent natural way to counteract gingivitis, reduce inflammation, and prevent the conditions that plaque and tartar love. Blend the following ingredients to make your own remineralizing mouthwash:
- 2 drops tea tree essential oil
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil
- ½ cup filtered water
- 2 tsp baking soda
Just swish and spit twice a day to combat unwanted plaque and keep your smile looking as happy as you feel. You’ll notice a huge difference from the harsh conventional mouthwash you’ve always been taught to use.
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Make Plaque Disappear By Oil Pulling
This technique is right in the name: use oil to pull toxins, plaque, and bacteria right out of your mouth. This traditional Indian folk remedy is more popular than ever before because it naturally improves oral hygiene and even helps your teeth look a few shades whiter.
It’s simple to reap the benefits of oil pulling. Just place a spoonful of coconut oil or another natural oil into your mouth and swish around for 20 minutes. Once time is up, spit the oil into the trash and rinse your mouth. The gross toxins, bacteria, and debris in your mouth will be pulled out by the oil, leaving your teeth and gums healthier and brighter.
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Don’t Forget About Your Tongue
Most conversations about oral health highlight the teeth and gums, but what about the tongue? Your tongue needs some love too! In fact, you might not realize the significant influence your tongue can have over your oral health.
A healthy tongue looks perfectly pink without any signs of deep red, yellow, or white discoloration. Even the slightest sign of a white film coating on the top of your tongue indicates that bad bacteria are starting to overtake the good bacteria in your mouth. That coating of bacteria contributes to embarrassing bad breath and encourages plaque to form by trapping food particles in dark, tiny crevices.
Fortunately, the solution is simple. Use a
copper tongue scraper to lightly scrape all of that white film off your tongue. Rinse in running water and repeat until that healthy pink hue returns. You can do this before or after you brush; there’s no right or wrong.
And that’s it! I know, it sounds like a lot, but it only takes a few minutes a day. We recommend starting with a
dental detox to remove harmful bacteria and toxins from the tissues of your teeth and gums!
A few minutes a day that will save you a lifetime of dental pain, cavities, and sore teeth.
We think you’re worth it, don’t you agree?
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8997512/
