Natural Remedies | Natural Tooth Repair

Coconut Oil For The Teeth – How Does It Improve Your Oral Health?

By Helen | June 21, 2020 | Comments 0 Comment

Coconut oil is an edible oil extracted from the fresh or dried meat of mature coconuts. Virgin coconut oil is made from fresh meat, while refined coconut oil is made from dried meat.

The high saturated fat found in coconut oil is ideal for high-temperature cooking as saturated fat retains its form in high temperature unlike polyunsaturated fats found in vegetable oil, which turn toxic when exposed to high temperature. Although coconut oil is very high in saturated fat, it is touted to have many uses to improve health conditions, including increase good cholesterol, reduce stress, reduce blood sugar, moisture skin and improve dental health.

Other than being used as a food ingredient and for skincare, coconut oil is popularly used for the teeth to improve oral health and prevent tooth decay.

Ingredients In Coconut Oil That Help Improve Oral Health

Coconut oil is made up of 100% fat, of which up to 90% is saturated fat. Smaller molecules in the fat are called fatty acids and several types of fatty acids are found in coconut oil. Lauric acid is the main fatty acids found the coconut oil, making up about 47% of coconut oil. Lauric acid is known for its antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral properties. When we ingest lauric acid, our bodies will convert it into monolauric. Both lauric and monolauric acids have antibacterial properties and are effective for killing viruses, fungi and bacteria.

Harmful bacteria in the mouth cause bad breath, tooth decay and dental plaque can be neutralised by lauric acid. For this reason, oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouth rinse containing coconut oil are getting popular in demand.

How Coconut Oil Helps Prevent Tooth Decay?

Harmful bacteria in the mouth feed on food remains that are stuck on the teeth and in the process produce dental plaque. Gum disease, an inflammation of the gums is caused by the build-up of dental plaque. Gum disease if it is not treated will eventually lead to tooth loss.

The lauric acid in coconut oil attacks harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay. Thus, using toothpaste and mouth rinse containing coconut oil can help prevent tooth decay and tooth loss.

Ways To Use Coconut Oil For The Teeth

The following are ways to add coconut oil to your oral hygiene routine:

1. Flossing

Coat a few inches of floss thread with coconut oil and use it as per normal.

2. Brushing

Some people use coconut oil instead of commercial toothpaste to brush their teeth. This is possible for those who live in colder countries where the coconut solidifies due to the cold temperature. However, it is difficult to use coconut oil alone to brush your teeth if you live in warmer climate places. But you can make your own toothpaste by mixing baking soda with a few drops of coconut oil.

3. Rinsing

Some commercial mouthwash has coconut added. But if you prefer not to use commercial products with harsh chemicals, you can make your own mouthwash by adding a few drops of coconut oil to a cup of water and use it as a mouth rinse.

4. Massage

Massage your gums with coconut oil to get rid of bacteria is found near the gumline. Massage the gums with coconut oil help to keep the gums healthy.

5. Oil Pulling

Oil pulling using coconut oil has become popular with some who believe that the oil pulling helps the neutralise bacteria in the mouth. By swishing a teaspoon of coconut oil in the mouth for about 20 minutes, it is believed to help to prevent tooth decay and whiten the teeth. However, there are no studies to prove that oil pulling using coconut oil helps to whiten the teeth.

Oral Hygiene Products That Use Coconut Oil

As the use of coconut oil for dental health became increasingly popular, manufacturers of oral health products have started to introduce several products containing coconut oil to meet the needs of the consumers. Some of the oral hygiene products with coconut oil are:

1. Toothpaste

2. Mouthwash

3. Whitening strips

4. Dental floss

Although a lot of these commercial products may contain organic ingredients such as virgin coconut oil, they may also contain many harmful ingredients such as fluoride, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), triclosan, propylene glycol and artificial colours.

Many people opt to use toothpaste that is made from natural ingredients without any chemicals or they make their own toothpaste.

A Natural Way To Healthy Teeth

As coconut oil has antibacterial properties, it has been touted as an ingredient to help prevent tooth decay, prevent receding gums and whiten teeth. There is some evidence to show that coconut oil is effective in reducing plaque formation that leads to gum disease. The study showed that coconut oil is safe to use and has minimal side effects, which can be used for oral health maintenance.¹ Therefore, using coconut oil in your daily health routine can get rid of harmful bacteria in your mouth and in the process prevent tooth decay, gum disease that leads to receding. However, there is insufficient research done to prove that coconut oil pulling helps to whiten teeth.

Coconut oil is not only effective in helping maintain your oral health, but it is also a natural ingredient that makes it a cheap way to upkeep your teeth and avoid expensive dental costs. So, why not add coconut oil to your toothpaste and mouth wash and see if it helps to improve your oral health. Although there is no scientific proof that coconut oil pulling helps to whiten teeth, there are some people who tried it and find that it does whiten teeth while there are others who find that it is not effective at all.

As coconut oil is a natural ingredient that has no side effect for most people, it is no harm to try it out and see if it is effective for you. If possible, opt for organic virgin coconut oil. A jar will last you for a long time and you can also use it for cooking or as a salad dressing. But here is a word of caution, consume in moderation as coconut oil is high in saturated fat and will raise the level of bad cholesterol and it is best to avoid if you have very cholesterol levels.

¹Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4382606/

Natural Tooth Pain Relief

By Helen | December 30, 2019 | Comments 0 Comment

Toothache can happen at the time when you cannot get to see the dentist and toothache can be very painful and disruptive and it prevents one from carrying out his/her daily activities. Serious toothache often happens at night, causing extreme discomfort and loss of sleep. When a toothache becomes unbearable, people will usually treat it with over the counter pain killers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. Other than pain killers are there any natural tooth pain relief methods that we can use?

Learn From Our Ancestors

Long before synthetic pain killers were invented, ancient people used different types of herbs, barks and roots as natural tooth pain relief. They know how to find the right plants that provide them cures for their ailments and aches. People from the early civilisations are known for how to use different kinds of medicinal plants for dental treatments.

Romans

Roman doctors had used marshmallow to treat toothaches and other ailments such as inflammation, insect bites and sore throats. The marshmallow is not the confectionery that everyone is familiar with. It is a herbal plant native to Europe, north Africa and western Asia. It is found in wet and marshy or swampy areas and that is how the name of the plant is derived. Early Egyptians made a sweet from the sap of the root mixed with honey. The marshmallow sweet today originated from this ancient Egyptian treat, however, marshmallow root juice is no longer used as the Marshmallow To Treat Toothache main ingredient.

Greeks

Summer savory or throubi in Greek is a popular spice used in many cuisines. The plant is found commonly in the Mediterranean but it can also thrive in regions in the northern hemisphere. The flowers of this herb bloom in the summer months from July to September. Greeks in the Middle Ages used this herb to treat toothaches and ulcers.

Mexicans

Mexico is rich in medicinal plants and thus the use of herbs and spices are commonly found in folklore remedies especially during the times of the Aztec and Maya empires. Medicinal plants are widely used by the Mexicans to treat oral diseases and other dental problems. To treat toothache, the Mayans used the root of a Mexican poppy plant called Argemone munita, otherwise commonly known as Chicalote. This species of poppy is found in Mexico but today it is also grown in other parts of the world. Traditional medicine healers in North Indian also use the seeds of Chicalote to cure toothache.

Chinese

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a system of traditional medicine that has been practised in China for more than 3,000 years although no clear written record of the medical technique until the early second century BC. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses techniques such as acupuncture, acupressure and a concoction of medicinal plants and dried animal parts to cure various types of diseases and ailments. Ways to relief toothache used by Chinese physicians include acupressure and application of ginger, garlic or ginseng on the tooth.

Try Herbal Remedies For Tooth Pain Relief

Over the counter pain killers and other prescription medications are what is often used by conventional medicine. There are concerns about the safety issues and potential side effects of prolonged use of these synthetic drugs for chronic pain conditions.

Using natural ingredients such as herbs may be a better alternative as they do not have the kind of side effects experienced by synthetic drug users. Indigenous people use parts of many types of plant such as leaves, flowers, branches, roots and seeds to relieve pain and other ailments. Many of these herbal plants contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Herbal remedies not only provide us relief from pain but also give us other health benefits and prevents diseases such as diabetes, stroke and cancer.

Thus, when you have a toothache, instead of reaching out for your painkillers, try applying one of the following herbal remedies:

1. Garlic

Since the early civilisation, garlic has been used as medicine to treat various ailments. Today is commonly used in cooking and as a garnish, making the food delicious. Garlic contains an amino acid called allicin which is released when the garlic is crushed or chopped. Allicin is known for its anti-inflammation and antioxidant benefits. Thus, garlic is a good natural pain reliever.

To help relieve your tooth pain, grind a clove of fresh garlic into a paste apply it on to the affected tooth or otherwise chew on a piece of garlic.

2. Onions

Onions are an important ingredient in cooking various types of dishes. But do you know that they contain antibacterial properties? Yes, onions contain a plant pigment called quercetin, which is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, raw onions can help eliminate the bacteria in your mouth and provide relief for your toothache.

To help with your tooth pain, put a piece of raw onion on your affected tooth. This may be difficult to do for some people as the onion may cause your eyes to tear.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice commonly used in Asian cooking. Besides being an aromatic spice cherished by Asian chefs, turmeric also has many medicinal properties due to the presence of a chemical compound called curcumin. Curcumin has antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, curcumin can prevent infections, reduce swelling and stop the toothache.

To help relieve tooth pain, mix some turmeric powder with some water and put it on to the affected tooth.

4. Chilli Pepper or Cayenne Pepper

Capsaicin is an active component found in chilli peppers that is responsible for the burning sensation when the pepper is eaten or rubbed on the skin. Capsaicin is anti-inflammatory and analgesic and therefore, it is an ingredient commonly used in pain relief topical cream. Capsaicin can help to reduce nerve pain. The Mayans are said to have used chilli peppers to cure their toothaches.

To relieve your tooth pain, mix chilli powder or crushed cayenne pepper with water and put it on the painful tooth. You can also rub pepper on the tooth or chew on pepper, although not everyone can withstand the burning sensation from chewing on pepper. Ginger To Relief Tooth Pain

5. Ginger

Ginger is a flowering plant originated from China and Southeast Asia and is now grown in many parts of the world. Its roots commonly called ginger is used as a spice for cooking. Not only is it a spice, but it also has medicinal properties and the Chinese had been using it to treat various ailments for thousands of years. Three powerful and pungent compounds: gingerols, zingerone and shogaols are found in ginger. These three compounds contain antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Therefore, chewing a piece of raw ginger helps to reduce bacteria in the mouth and alleviate your tooth pain.

Herbal remedies may not be suitable for everyone as some people are allergic to certain types of herbs. Avoid using any of these herbal remedies if you have any known allergy to it. Do exercise caution if you have not taken any of these types of herbs before. Some herbs do interfere with medication such as blood-thinning drugs and other cardiovascular drugs. If you are taking any prescription medication, it is advisable to consult your doctor before consuming any of these herbs.

Essential Oils To Relieve Toothache

Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy. But they are also found in personal care and house cleaning products. Essential oils mostly derived from herbal plants and are used to treat a lot of ailments including toothache. The following essential oils can help to relieve tooth pain are:

1. Clove Oil

Cloves are dried aromatic flower buds of a tree native to the Maluku islands in Indonesia and are commonly used as a spice in Asian and African cuisines. Cloves are known to be used in traditional Chinese medicine as early as 240 BC. Clove contains eugenol, an active compound that is both anaesthetic and antiseptic. Thus, clove is popularly used to relieve toothache as its antiseptic properties help to kill the bacteria in the mouth and prevent infection.

To heal tooth pain, dip cotton ball or swab in clove oil and applied it to the affected tooth. Alternatively, you can also add a drop of clove oil to a glass of water and use it as a gargle.

2. Peppermint Oil

The peppermint plant is a hybrid between watermint and spearmint and is native to Europe and the Middle East. Peppermint contains menthol, an active ingredient that not only freshens your breath but helps to relieve toothache due to its strong anti-bacterial properties.

To help ease your tooth pain, apply 3 to 4 drops of peppermint directly on the tooth or gum. Or soak a cotton ball with peppermint oil and rub the oil on the tooth.

3. Thyme Oil

Thyme is a small garden herb that originated from southern Mediterranean. The ancient Eygptians use thyme for embalming as well as a pain reliever. Today, it is widely used in cooking as a seasoning together with other spices like rosemary and sage. Thyme has an active ingredient called thymol which has antimicrobial properties. Thus, thyme essential oil is one natural way to relieve tooth pain.

To help alleviate your toothache, add a few drops of thyme oil with some water onto a cotton ball and apply it onto your tooth. You can also make a mouthwash by adding a drop of thyme oil to a glass of water.

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts and therefore caution should be exercised when using them. Some people may develop side effects from applying the oil directly onto the skin. Use the patch test to determine if you are allergic to the essential oil. To prevent an adverse reaction, dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil.

It’s A Relief Not A Cure

Getting rid of tooth pain is a relief and not a cure. The above mentioned methods for tooth pain relief are just temporary measures to help you get through the day or night. A severe toothache is an indication of bad tooth decay as the bacteria had punched through the dentin and exposing the pulp and root of the tooth. In this case, you will need to see a dentist to get your teeth treated and the proper guidance to prevent future tooth decay.

Have you tried any of these natural tooth pain relief remedies before? Do share with us your experience with using natural remedies for oral health in the comments below.

Cure Tooth Decay Naturally, Possible?

By Helen | December 18, 2019 | Comments 0 Comment

According to the dentist, there is only one way to treat tooth decay: drill the cavity and fill it up with some metal, porcelain or plastic. Is it possible to cure tooth decay naturally without any medical intervention?

Dental fillings are not the only way to cure tooth decay. The human tooth is designed to heal on its own, given the right conditions. There are things that we need to do and not do to give our teeth a chance to heal itself and prevent tooth decay.

Prevent Tooth Demineralisation

What Causes Tooth Demineralisation?

The tooth is protected by an outer white coating called the enamel. The tooth enamel protects the tooth from wear Tooth Demineralistion and tear. The tooth enamel is made up of a coating of various minerals, of which the main one is calcium phosphate. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars and starches left in our mouth and in the process produce acids. There are also acids from eating fruits such as lemon or orange. These acids attack the tooth enamel, causing the minerals to dissolve, resulting in the softening and erosion of the tooth enamel. This gradual erosion process is known as tooth demineralisation. The erosion of the tooth enamel allows the bacteria in the mouth to penetrate deeper into the tooth, eventually causing cavities to form. If nothing is done to heal the tooth decay, the cavity will become bigger and the dentin layer of the tooth is exposed. Further decay will eventually expose the soft pulp and nerve of the tooth causing pain.

Ways to Prevent Tooth Demineralisation

The acids in the mouth cause the teeth enamel to erode and eventually lead to tooth decay. If the acids are neutralised, the tooth has the chance to repair itself and cure the tooth decay naturally. The following are suggested ways to prevent demineralisation of the tooth enamel:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day especially before going to bed.
Floss the teeth or use an interdental brush to remove food and plaque from gaps of teeth not reachable by a toothbrush.
Use antibacterial mouth rinse that has enamel protecting properties.
Use toothpaste that has properties that repair and protect tooth enamel such as calcium, silica and NovaMin.
Avoid taking carbonated drinks and juice as they have high sugar content which causes excessive plaque and tartar build-up which may result in cavities.
Avoid foods that have high acid content and cut down on sugar intake especially refined sugar.
Avoid doing things that weaken the tooth enamel such as chewing ice.

Tooth Remineralisation – Can It Happen?

Given the right conditions, tooth demineralisation can be reversed. This reverse process is called tooth remineralisation. It occurs when the lost calcium from the tooth is being replaced. The enamel can repair itself once the erosion stops and calcium is being replaced. In order for tooth remineralisation to take place, the following conditions must be present:

1. The surface of the tooth must be clean.

An oral hygiene routine is necessary to keep the teeth clean. A daily oral hygiene routine includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing your teeth once a day and using a mouthwash after brushing and flossing your teeth.

2. There must be a sufficient flow of saliva in the mouth.

The presence of saliva in our mouth is very important to our oral health as saliva is our first line of defence against cavity. Minerals in the saliva cleanse our teeth by getting rid of the bacteria in our mouth. Throughout the day, saliva in our mouth constantly deposits minerals such as calcium and phosphorus onto our teeth. These minerals bind with the tooth enamel and strengthen the tooth. Saliva also helps to maintain the alkaline state of our mouth, keeping it at an ideal level of pH of 7.5 to 8.5, which is conducive for tooth remineralisation. Dry mouth is a condition in which the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. Dry mouth is usually caused by medications and other health conditions. Prolonged dry mouth condition can affect one’s oral health. If you have dry mouth, chewing on sugarless gum may help to stimulate the increase in saliva.

3. There must be sufficient calcium and other minerals present in the saliva.

To have sufficient minerals in your saliva, you will need to have a healthy diet that supports remineralisation and also take the supplements that help to remineralise the teeth. It is not enough just to avoid food that is high in sugar to avoid cavities. We need food that is high in calcium, minerals and vitamins to help our teeth heal on its own.

Help Your Tooth Remineralise – Change Your Diet

Eating foods and beverages that are high in sugar and acid contents, creates an ideal environment for tooth decay to take place. Dental plaque is a sticky and colourless film which is formed when remaining food particles especially carbohydrates are mixed with saliva and bacteria. Plaque is found between the teeth and along the gum line. The bacteria in the plaque feed on the remaining foods and in the process produce acids which erode the tooth enamel causing cavities to form. Therefore, the impact of certain foods and drinks on your oral health cannot be ignored.

If you are currently consuming foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugar, it is time to consider changing your diet and cut down on your sugar intake. There are studies done to suggest that a change in diet can reverse tooth decay. Make some adjustments to your diet by avoiding foods that promote tooth demineralisation and consuming more foods that are high in calcium and other minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin K2.

Avoid Foods That Harm Your Teeth

Some foods harm your teeth and should be avoided if possible. Foods that are bad for the teeth include the following:

1. Candies and sweets

Candies and snacks such as cookies, cakes and other sweet desserts contain a lot of sugar which the bacteria in the mouth love. Constantly eating a lot of this sweet stuff will eventually lead to tooth decay. Avoid Eating Sweets

2. Foods made from refined carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are also known as starch or sugars. Carbohydrates are classified as simple or complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are easily digested and absorbed by the body, while complex carbohydrates take longer for the body to break it down. Refined carbohydrates, for example, white flour, are grains that have gone through a refining process which removes the dietary fibre, minerals and vitamins. As a result of the refining process, the grain transforms from a complex carbohydrate into a simple carbohydrate. The starch from simple carbohydrates tends to get trapped in between the teeth, making it an ideal feeding ground for bacteria. Examples of foods made from white flour are bread, pasta, crackers or chips.

3. Beverages with added sugar

Beverages that have added sugar include carbonated soft drinks, fruit juice made from concentrates and energy drinks. Carbonated soft drinks and energy drinks are not only laden with sugar, but they also contain carbonic, citric and phosphoric acids which will wear out the tooth enamel.

4. Caffeinated Drinks

Caffeinated drinks such as coffee or tea tend to dry up the mouth. Frequent drinking of coffee or tea will stain your teeth. Besides these, coffee is acidic while most teas are mildly acidic. Avoid taking sugar with your coffee or tea.

5. Dried fruits

Dried fruits such as apricots, prunes, raisins and cranberry are considered as healthy snacks. However, dried fruits are very sweet because when the water is removed from the fruits, the sugars in the fruits are concentrated. The concentrated sugars are sticky and tend to get stuck in between the teeth.

6. Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits such as lemon, orange, grapefruit, lime and pomelo are high in citric acid. The high acidic content tends to make the teeth vulnerable to decay as the acids erode the tooth enamel.

If all the above-mentioned cannot be avoided altogether, reduce the frequency and quantity of consumption. After eating any of these foods, floss your teeth and rinse your mouth. Do not brush your teeth immediately after taking acidic food as the acids have softened your tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth at this time will further damage your tooth enamel.

Eat Foods That Help Cure Tooth Decay Naturally

The key factor in preventing and reversing tooth decay is a correct and healthy diet comprising of foods and supplements that help keep your teeth healthy and strong. Essential nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, vitamin K2 and magnesium help cure tooth decay naturally. The essentials nutrients for healthy teeth are found in the following foods:

1. Dairy products

Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt contain calcium, vitamin D and phosphates which are essential minerals for healthy teeth. As calcium is the main ingredient found in the tooth enamel, lack of calcium in your diet expose a risk of tooth decay.

2. Vegetables and fruits

Most vegetables and fruits are high in fibre and chewing on such food keeps the saliva flowing. Saliva is a natural defence against tooth decay. The saliva also gets rid of food participles and helps neutralise the acids that attack your teeth.

Dark green leafy vegetables are not only a source of high fibre, they also contain amongst other nutrients, vitamins D and K and calcium. These nutrients are essential for maintaining a healthy set of teeth. Examples of dark green leafy vegetables include kale, spinach, mustard, romaine lettuce and watercress.

3. Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are packed with lots of nutrients including protein, vitamins and minerals. Calcium and magnesium found in nuts and seeds are important nutrients to help remineralise the teeth and prevent tooth decay. Do opt for nuts that are unsalted and not sugar-coated.

4. Fish and Eggs

Fish is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin D. Eggs too contain calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus. These nutrients are essential for keeping the teeth healthy.

5. Bone broth

Bone broth is made from simmering animal bones in water. Bone itself is a great source of vitamins and minerals including calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Regular consumption of bone broth not only helps to strengthen bones including teeth and jawbones but also protects the joints as the gelatine in the broth helps increase the amount of collagen in the bone tissues.

It’s Time To Save Your Pearly Whites

Why go through pain and spend so much money on dental treatment when you can use natural ways to prevent cavities and heal tooth decay. Tooth decay can be reversed while the cavities are in the early stages. Do not allow the tooth decay to continue until pain is felt in the tooth, which by then the cavity is too large and cannot be remineralised. In this case, a visit to the dentist is inevitable.

Yes, it is possible to keep your natural teeth for life. The first step in saving your teeth is to develop and maintain an oral health routine. Maintaining a healthy set of teeth requires lifetime care. Just like we need to wash our body and hair daily, we will need to follow a daily oral hygiene routine to keep our teeth clean and healthy.

Food and supplements play a part in providing nutrients to our body including our teeth. Develop a habit to eat healthy foods and beverages and avoid foods that harm our teeth. Take supplements containing vitamins and minerals that help our teeth to remineralise and keep our gums healthy.

Get into the habit of rinsing your mouth after each meal to get rich of food particles. Floss or use an interdental brush for food that stuck in between the teeth. If you have taken foods or drinks with high acidity such as citrus fruits and soda water, rinse your mouth immediately after consuming such foods to get rid of the acid from your mouth.

Thus, saving and maintaining your natural teeth is simply about good eating habits and having a good oral hygiene. Being able to maintain these two good habits ensure that you have your pearly white with you for life.

Heal Teeth Naturally – Without Expensive Dental Treatments

By Helen | December 4, 2019 | Comments 0 Comment

Can you heal teeth naturally? With the ongoing expensive dental treatments, people are searching for ways to heal teeth naturally.

Tooth enamel is the outer most layer of the tooth. It is a hard coating that protects the tooth from any infection. Below the enamel is the dentin, which is a softer layer and the most prone to cavities. When the tooth enamel erodes, it exposes the dentin to acid in the mouth. The acid eventually causes the tooth to form cavities, which if left untreated will get bigger, exposing the root and pulp of the tooth. When this happens, the tooth becomes painful. Most dentists will tell you that once a tooth is damaged, it is lost forever. And he or she will treat the tooth decay by drilling and filling up the cavity or if the root and pulp of the tooth have been damaged, a root canal is recommended. Such dental treatments may be harmful to health and they are not permanent solutions to strong and healthy teeth.

Heal Your Teeth Without Going to the Dentist. Possible?

Once a tooth is damaged or has a cavity, it has cannot heal on its own. This is what has been taught to everybody. However, dentists have reported seeing, damaged teeth that heal naturally without any medical aid. It is believed that if a cavity is small, it is possible for the tooth to heal on its own. Some people who believe that teeth are bones and bones can heal and regenerate. So, a tooth cavity if left alone can heal itself, it is just that we never give it a chance. As soon as a cavity is discovered, it is quickly filled up with some metal or porcelain.

There are many accounts of people who had their teeth heal naturally using different methods without any medical intervention. There was the case of all front teeth with badly damaged enamel completely replace while during fasting. There are instances of broken teeth growing back while on a natural food diet. Some people on raw food diet even reported regrowing their lost tooth.

Some People Believed That It Is Possible

Some people believed that the human body has the natural ability to regenerate and restore itself to health. Given the right conditions, it can recover from a disease, wounds can heal itself and bones regrow. So, it is the same with our teeth if given the chance to do so. We need to feed our bodies with the right nutrients so that it can do the job of healing itself. We have to stop doing things that are damaging to the teeth and feed our bodies with the right nutrients so that it can heal teeth naturally.

Many organic ways to heal dental cavities have been experimented by people in search of ways and means to repair their teeth naturally without having to undergo expensive dental treatments. These methods use natural ingredients and herbs and there have been documented accounts of individuals who have successfully used these to repair their teeth naturally. Such successes have also prompted manufacturers of oral hygiene products to come up with toothpaste and mouth rinse using natural products such as liquid calcium, baking soda, tea tree oil, xylitol and silica. In fact, researchers in recent years have been testing methods to repair teeth and even regrow teeth to replace the lost ones. The idea behind these methods is to assist the teeth to heal itself naturally.

Research Into Ways To Heal Teeth

In recent years, scientists have been doing extensive researches into ways to heal teeth naturally. Researchers are looking for alternatives to metal fillings, dentures and dental implants. Over time, dentures erode the underlying bone, dental fillings need to be replaced and dental implants are likely to fall out after many years of use. The tooth being able to repair itself or even regrow a new tooth is a healthier and cheaper alternative for most people.

The following are some known researches conducted by scientists:

1.Crystal Implants
Crystals contain calcium are implanted into dental cavities. The decayed tooth will use the calcium to regenerate and heal itself. Once this experiment is successful, it looks to replace the traditional fillings used. Currently, the metal fillings used by dentists need to be replaced when they are worn out. This natural way to repair teeth is the permanent solution.

2. Helsinki Research
If vertebrates can replace their lost teeth, can we get mammals to do the same? Researchers from the University of Helsinki have shown that it is possible to induce continuous tooth regeneration in mammals. The Wnt signaling pathway is important for the development of embryo and is used for cell communication. By stimulating this signaling pathway in a mouse, the researchers have successfully enabled the mouse to develop a number of new teeth, complete with dentin, tooth enamel and roots. This research raises the hope of possible continuous tooth regeneration in humans.

3. Stem Cells
A number of scientists are finding ways to regrow teeth using stem cells. Researchers from the Tokyo University of Science reported that they have successfully grown a tooth bud from stem cells taken from mouse embryos. The tooth bud was then transplanted into the liver of an adult mouse, where the increased blood helped to further develop the tooth. Finally, the tooth is inserted into an empty tooth cavity of the mouse, in which it grew to its full size.On the other hand, researchers at the Craniofacial Development at King’s College, London used stems from bone marrow to form teeth and then transplanted them into tooth cavities of mice. However, obtaining stem cells from human bone marrow is a painful process and the researchers are still looking for better accessible stem cells that are able to form teeth.An article in the Journal of Dental Research described how researchers used enzymes to isolate immature tooth cells from pigs and then placed the cells inside rats to develop. Within thirty weeks, small tooth crowns complete with dentin and enamel were formed.

4. Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) Technique
Ultrasound, the safe and less expensive form of diagnostic imaging widely used in the medical field. What a lot of people did not know is that the high-intensity acoustic waves of ultrasound have healing effects. Ultrasound has been known to trigger the growth of stem cells. Stems cells will generate the growth of tissues. Dr. Tarek El-Bialy, an orthodontist from the University of Alberta’s dentistry faculty in research using ultrasound to lengthen the lower jaws in rabbits. The experiment was successful and he also found that teeth have started to grow as well. He then progresses to a study on human beings to see if ultrasound could be used to stop damage to the roots of teeth for those who wear braces. The result of this study showed that the tooth which was given a dosage of ultrasound daily was not damaged and it actually had more dental tissue than previously.However, there was a problem with the fact that the ultrasound device was very big and during the experiment, the subject had to hold it in his mouth for 20 minutes daily. Together with a team from the engineering faculty, they design an ultrasound device that is tiny enough to sit inside a person’s mouth. This device called low-intensity pulsed ultrasound, in short LIPUS is less than a centimeter long and is powered by a tiny battery. It can be used for various purposes. One idea to have the device embedded in bandages, to heal bones naturally.Further research is being carried out on using LIPUS to regrow pulp and dentin at a faster rate for senior people. So far, Dr. El-Bialy has only been successful in the growth of the inner teeth but not the enamel. Further research is being carried out on the use of ultrasound to repair damaged or broken teeth.

Using Natural Ingredients To Heal Teeth

Some people practise using natural ingredients to maintain and heal their teeth to keep them healthy and strong. Some methods of using natural ingredients include the following:

Brush teeth with sea salt. Sea salt is healing and can reverse tooth sensitivity. Some brands of toothpaste contain sea salt.
Natural food diets. Some people who are on raw food diets have reported having their tooth cavities filled up naturally and some even reported that missing teeth have regrown.
Take at least 5gm of xylitol daily. Studies have shown that frequent use of xylitol repair tooth decay and regenerates receding gum.
Using various herbs such as thyme, licorice and myrrh to heal gum diseases and prevent plaque formation.
Rinse mouth with warm saltwater at least twice a day. The saltwater will easily remove any food lodged in the tooth and kill any bacteria that may be causing tooth decay.
Some people have tried using calcium powder to fill up the tooth cavity to assist the tooth to heal on its own.

Going The Natural Way

There are many people including some dentists believed that our teeth can heal on its own. To help our teeth heal naturally, we need to change our eating habits and practise the correct oral hygiene habits. Eating the right type of food, avoid sugary foods and practise good oral hygiene will help to prevent to cavity and help the tooth remineralised.

Through the right diet and good oral hygiene habits, we can help heal our teeth naturally and it is cheaper and better way than expensive dental habits. So why not go the natural way.