Maintaining oral hygiene is a core part of maintaining our dental health. For many of us, it’s a standard part of our daily rituals, serving to capstone our mornings and evenings. The taste and sensations associated with our products are other elements of this process. However, one thing that has often escaped our notice is the ingredients in our dental products. This point typically remains true until we start concerning ourselves to reduce our impact on the planet and make healthier choices for our bodies. If you’ve reached the point where you’re wondering about more natural choices of oral health products, this guide may help.
An Assortment Of Safe Oral Hygiene Ingredients
One of the benefits of selecting natural oral hygiene products is their ingredient list. Not only do they tend to be shorter than more traditional products, but they also are easier to read. This fact is due, in part, to the lack of manufactured chemicals included in them. However, this can also introduce a list of products we still don’t recognize. Thankfully, they’re easier to spell, look up, and understand. Consider the following:
Tea Tree Oil
Triclosan is a common ingredient you’ll find on dental product labels. Studies have revealed that it’s an effective way to limit bacterial contamination. There have been some signs that it could have detrimental effects as well. These include potential impacts on our endocrine system and allow bacteria to develop antibiotic resistance. However, this has only led to it being removed from body wash and soap. It has been determined to still be safe and effective in toothpaste.
Natural toothpaste tends to use an alternative that has been determined to be safer and not prone to the same concerns. Tea Tree Oil is the most common option selected to accomplish this. In addition to being effective at eliminating bacteria, it’s also a known anti-fungal, as well as an antiseptic. This property helps reduce gum inflammation, and it’s even been known to strengthen enamel.
Magnolia Bark Extract
Halitosis, or bad breath, is a struggle faced by many people. Even regular brushing and flossing may not be enough to counter the hard work of bacteria. Thankfully Magnolia Bark Extract can reduce the bacteria that cause halitosis and tooth decay alike. This natural ingredient quickly found its way into natural products.
Xylitol
One surprising result of the rise of sugar-free gum is the discovery of dental benefits to Xylitol. This substance is used to sweeten sugar-free chewing gum, and it’s been shown to have significant antibacterial properties. In addition to battling bacteria directly, it can make our teeth harder for bacteria to hold onto. Combine this with the ability of chewing gum to remove plaque and food debris from our teeth, and chewing xylitol-based gum proves to be fantastic for your teeth!
Speak To Your Dentist To Learn More!
Reaching out to your dental provider is an excellent way to get additional insight into good natural dental product choices. They’ll perform an exam, answer questions about your current products, and address your concerns over dental health. Finally, they can help you find the right product for you.