Get our mouth Kiss-ready this Valentine’s Day.
A full body detox, or cleanse, is a plan that people follow in an effort to eliminate toxins from the body.
Detoxing has fast become known to help boost energy, improve mental clarity, minimize aches and pain, rebalance hormones, restore sleep cycles, support digestion and strengthen the immune system.
But, what are the benefits of an oral detox?
A mouth detox aims to rid your mouth of disease-causing bacteria. Left unchecked, these microbes can lead to bad breath, plaque, gum disease, and other oral and even overall health conditions.
Here are a few ways for you to ensure that you include your mouth in your detox plan:
Don’t slack on Daily Oral Hygiene
Get the basics right, first.
Brushing and flossing twice twice a day are the first steps to building a clean and healthy mouth. Our hygienists recommend choosing your oral care tools correctly. Soft-bristled toothbrushes are more gentle on your teeth and gums. Hard bristles may remove more plaque, but they also wear away at your enamel if excessive force is applied.
It’s also essential to include the use of interdental brushes and regular flossing (at least once a day) to help remove food particles and plaque between teeth and along the gum line where your toothbrush can’t quite reach. A water flosser or waterpik uses a jet of water to blast away plaque in those tough-to-reach crevices.
Ask our hygiene team about the specialised tools and techniques they often recommend.
Be mindful of what goes into your mouth
Eat a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet. And educate yourself about the benefits and harms of consuming certain foods.
Many detox plans include drinking lemon in water upon waking. Lemons are highly acidic and, over time, routine consumption of lemon juice washing over your teeth will cause the enamel to erode. This will eventually expose the under layer, called dentine, which may cause you to experience tooth sensitivity.
TLC for your tongue
Did you know that your tongue is the first line of defense in your immune system?
Bacteria associated with halitosis, or chronic bad breath, can largely be found on the tongue, particularly near the back.
Tongue scraping allows you to physically remove a portion of the bacteria and fungi, and the scraps of food debris that fuel them.
In addition to removing impurities from the tongue, tongue scraping can also help to improve the sense of taste and stimulate the production of saliva.
Saliva is an important component of oral health, as it helps to neutralize the acid in the mouth and wash away food particles. A lack of saliva can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a practice used to naturally remove bacteria and toxins from the mouth. One of the best oils to use for oil pulling is coconut oil, which has natural antibacterial properties and is high in healthy fats. It helps remove plaque, reduce tooth decay and whiten teeth.
The practice involves swirling one tablespoon of oil around your mouth and between your teeth for between 5 and 15 minutes, before spitting out the oil and rinsing your mouth with warm water.
Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal has become a popular addition to detox plans.
It works through the digestive tract by trapping toxins in the gut and preventing them from being absorbed. It’s eventually passed in stools along with the toxins it latched on to.
Its antibacterial properties can also help to make your teeth look cleaner by removing plaque and stains. You might use charcoal toothpaste or a charcoal toothbrush to help remove the stains caused by food and drink, such as coffee, tea and red wine, or from smoking.
However, toothpaste containing activated charcoal shouldn’t be used daily. Its abrasive properties can help to remove stains, but it could also affect the enamel on your teeth and leave them feeling sensitive. Some charcoal toothpastes are suitable for daily use, but check the label before you start brushing.
Seek the advice of a dental professional
Even though daily oral care lies with you, regular dental checkups and visits to your oral hygienist twice a year are integral to maintaining optimum dental health and wellness.
Chat to our Oral Hygiene team about the wide range of dental care products we have available, and which of them would best suit your needs. They’d be happy to help!
