Never have I ever… gone bungee jumping.

I have gone zip-lining (which was amazing!), but bungee jumping…no… coming from the girl who can barely convince herself to jump into a pool from a diving board.

Never have I ever… watched a scary movie without screaming.

Scary movies = love. Probably could watch the same scary movie over and over, know the scary part is coming… and still jump and scream.

Never have I ever… had a cavity.

As for my teeth… it is true… I have never had a cavity, filling, or root canal. Zero cavities for so many years feels like an accomplishment [Is there a world record for this? A prize? Trophy even?]

Never? Neva eva eva eva.

The Mouth and Body Health Connection

Taking good care of your oral health can help to prevent more than tooth decay, cavities, or bad breath. Health problems in the body can show through the mouth and vice versa, such as diabetes or heart disease because the bacteria from the mouth can get into the bloodstream and cause health problems. It is so important to look at your health with an holistic overall approach because everything is connected (for example: gut issues could be causing acne or hormonal imbalance could be causing hair loss).

My Natural Oral Health Routine

Oil Pulling: I start my day with a spoonful of coconut oil swishing around in my mouth for 15-20 minutes. It has many benefits including reduced plaque and gingivitis, whiter teeth, and fresher breath. I only do this once per day in the mornings. (Read more about it here.)

Brush Teeth: After oil pulling, I brush my teeth and gums with a non-toxic homemade toothpaste. Since switching from commercial toothpaste, I have less mouth infections and no more tooth sensitivity! I do this twice per day – morning and night. (Read more about it here.)

Mouthwash: I follow up my toothbrushing with a natural mouthwash. Say goodbye to your dragon breath and hello to clean teeth! I do this twice per day – morning and night. (Read more about it here.)

Tongue Scrape: Most of the bacteria in the mouth is actually on the tongue. Stick out your tongue and look at that white coating on top. After you scrape off all the gunk, breath is fresher and food tastes better! I do this twice per day – morning and night. (Here is the tongue scraper I use.)

Eat Well: I eat good food. Food is medicine and it is so important to nourish your body and provide it with all the nutrients and minerals it needs. For me this means avoiding processed food and added sugars.

Got Milk? Are you surprised to hear that I have strong bones and teeth, without consuming any dairy? I stopped consuming dairy because I noticed my body was intolerant, resulting in all sorts of negative side effects (stomach pains, inflammation, diarrhea, and the list goes on). Also, I cringe about what goes into milk and other dairy products (hormones, pus, antibiotics, etc). There are plenty of controversial articles on whether dairy (raw or pasteurized) is good or bad for your body, teeth, bones, etc. Do your research and believe what you choose. I do not take a calcium supplement (which can put too much calcium in the body, causing other health problems), but instead I make sure to nourish my body with calcium-rich foods like dark leafy greens, white beans, figs, etc.

Dentist: I still go for regular dental checkups and cleanings. During the cleanings I request no fluoride treatment. Fluoride treatments and fluoride toothpaste make my teeth feel like they are on fire and cause sensitivity afterwards. Fluoride is a neurotoxin found in toothpaste and drinking water. While it is advertised as having the ability to prevent cavities, unfortunately it doesn’t quite do its job. Fluoride has been linked to cancers, osteoporosis, thyroid problems, lowered IQ, tooth decay, acne around the chin and mouth, and more. Completely unnecessary to a good oral health routine. Do you like reading geeky articles about the damaging effects of fluoride? Click here and here and here!

Whiten Teeth: No white strips here! I apply activated charcoal to my teeth to keep them pearly white. I do this once a month. (Read more about it here.)

Floss: Flossing is so important to get what is stuck in all those nooks and crannies between the teeth. Flossing can work well if done properly, which means not just moving the floss in an up and down motion between the teeth. The floss should hug the teeth (aww!) and move in a J shape to get full benefits. Instead of flossing, some people prefer to use a waterpik, which can also be very effective. I only do this once per day (if I remember LOL) – at night. (Here is the floss I use.)

Lavender Essential Oil:  Many may be wondering why lavender essential oil would be part of my natural oral health routine… I apply lavender EO (Young Living or Plant Therapy) at night before bed to prevent jaw clenching and tooth grinding. Bruxism left untreated can cause all sorts of tooth damage (Read more about it here.)

Happy Natural Oral Health Routine-ing 🙂

Do you have an oral health routine? How do you keep your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy?