Natural Dental Care: Alternative Treatments for Oral Health

You've likely seen several companies that focus on natural makeup and skincare. Many of the companies we've become familiar with over the years have even started taking a "greener" approach to their products. If you're interested in incorporating more products into your dental services that are free of harsh or harmful chemicals, you may want to learn more about natural dental care.

Having a healthy smile and fresh breath is essential, and there are several natural products you can recommend for patients to use at home to maintain their oral health in between dental appointments. Here are a few important tips to help you develop an environmentally-safe dental hygiene routine that can improve the oral health of your patients.

Recommend a New Toothbrush

If your patients want to take a more natural approach to your dental health, you can suggest that they replace their traditional toothbrush with one that is gentler on the teeth and gums. Conventional toothbrushes are often made with plastic, but finding a nylon toothbrush can ease the pressure on your teeth. Some natural toothbrushes even have bristles that are infused with charcoal to cleanse your mouth of toxins and give you a brighter smile. The right toothbrush can help protect sensitive teeth and gums to reduce plaque buildup which protects your teeth and keeps your breath fresh.

Suggest Using a Gentler Toothpaste

The right toothpaste is essential for maintaining good dental health. Toothpaste removes bacteria from the mouth and often contains ingredients that are meant to strengthen the teeth. However, some kinds of toothpaste have chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate, triclosan, or fluoride, which can damage the gums and teeth. These chemicals also affect the body negatively and can reduce the number of probiotics in the body. Probiotics aid in immunity and digestion, and can prevent tooth decay and bad breath.

For patients who would like to try out natural products, suggest a toothpaste that includes healthy ingredients such as neem, baking soda, clove, or peppermint that will keep the mouth fresh. You can also inform them that they can make their own toothpaste from coconut oil, baking soda, and edible essential oils.

Explain the Benefits of Oil Pulling

Natural dental care also involves oil pulling. You can discuss this process with your patients if they are interested. This is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing oil in the mouth for a period of time. The oil is usually cold-pressed for best results. The oil is said to pull toxins from the body that are absorbed through the gums and teeth. Sesame, coconut, or olive oil is often used for this process. Many people who have tried oil pulling report less plaque, fresher breath, and healthier gums and teeth.

Remember to Floss and Scrape

A dental appointment is incomplete if you forget to remind your patients to floss and scrape their tongues! According to a 2019 study, using floss or interdental brushes in addition to toothbrushing may reduce gingivitis or plaque, or both, more than toothbrushing alone.

Natural Dental Care Through Holistic Dentistry

Holistic dentistry, also known as natural dentistry or alternative dentistry, is a type of dental medicine. Many dentists are practicing it these days, and some dentists are integrative, which means they use a combination of alternative and traditional treatments to care for patients.

There are distinct differences between natural dental care and conventional dentistry such as the type of treatments offered and the philosophies behind the procedures.

Traditional dentistry concentrates on dental health. A conventional dentist will diagnose and treat issues relating to the teeth and gums, as well as the jaws and areas of the neck and head that affect the mouth.

Alternative dentistry treats dental issues by focusing on the patient's entire wellbeing. Holistic dentists will review all of a patient's symptoms, even though that is not directly about the gums and teeth to see how a person's oral health may be affecting other parts of the body.

Alternative Treatment Options

A conventional dentist will likely recommend treatments in between appointments that have been proven to be effective and safe. These treatments can include regular flossing and brushing, along with using specialty mouthwashes or kinds of toothpaste depending on your dental needs. If you have cavities or are prone to them, the dentist may also recommend fillings.

Patients looking for a more natural approach to their dental care may prefer dentists with a more holistic strategy. Holistic dentists will often use these methods to treat patients as well, but will also inform patients about how to make changes in their diets to protect their dental health. Some natural dental care appointments include learning about how aromatherapy and Ayurveda work to improve overall health. Some natural dentists recommend herbs and supplements to keep teeth and gums strong and will perform electroacupuncture to get rid of oral pain. If a patient has gingivitis, holistic dental treatment may include avoiding certain foods to treat the condition. While a conventional dentist may mention recommendations for certain foods, an alternative dentist will discuss a nutritional plan with you in detail.

It is also important to note that alternative dentists do not believe that root canals are safe because of the chemicals used and the nature of the procedure. However, you can discuss alternatives to this procedure with your dentist.

Treatment Materials

Natural dentists use natural materials instead of the many of the manufactured materials conventional dentists use. Natural dental care involves biocompatible products that will "agree" with your body and reduce the chances of a negative reaction. The dentist will also perform a series of tests on the patient to see which materials are compatible with their body's systems.

Since the materials used for treatment are all-natural, a holistic dentist may give a patient an herbal toothpaste or a coconut-oil-based mouthwash. The products still have to go through a scientific testing process to confirm that they are effective in treating the patient's dental issue.

Final Thoughts

If you think natural dental care would benefit you or your family, you can speak with your dentist about incorporating more holistic treatments into the procedures you receive. You can also search for natural or integrative dentists in your area who can provide you with effective treatments that will keep your teeth and gums in great condition without the use of traditional methods or chemicals.