Nourishing Your Oral Health – Practical Steps for Stronger Teeth

Strengthen Your Teeth With These Easy At-Home Solutions

When we think of oral wellness, it’s easy to think of it being just brushing and flossing. But in reality oral health is interconnected with other systems of our body; our cardiovascular system, digestive system, and our overall well-being are influenced by the state of our mouths.

In this article, we’ll explore ways we can support our oral health to nourish our wellbeing.

Strengthening Your Smile: Enamel Care and Remineralisation

Enamel is your teeth’s built-in defence mechanism, their protective shield. The state of our enamel is affected by our diet and lifestyle. Teeth grinding and smoking can wear down enamel, as well as acidy foods like…

• Citrus or acidic fruits (e.g., oranges, lemons, pineapples and even tomatoes)
• Coffee & Tea
• Wine & Alcohol
• Sugary snacks and drinks

After consuming acidic foods or beverages, swish with water to help neutralise acids and try to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. Brushing immediately eating something acidic can actually weaken enamel.

If you grind your teeth at night, a night-guard could be really helpful! You don’t have to spend hundreds on one either; many pharmacies carry cheaper DIY versions.

How To Remineralise Your Enamel

Tooth remineralisation is the process of rebuilding your tooth enamel’s mineral content naturally. Just as diet and lifestyle can wear down our enamel, it can also help rebuild it!

You can begin nourishing your enamel by incorporating foods that are rich in essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus into your diet. Here’s some foods that actually support our tooth health:

1. Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
2. Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
3. Almonds and other nuts
4. Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel)
5. Lean meats (chicken, turkey)
6. Eggs
7. Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa)

It’s also important to try and avoid products that are harsh on our enamel, like whitening toothpaste. Instead, using products that are geared towards remineralisation can help us support our teeth… and keep them looking bright!

The Effects of Mouth Breathing on Oral Health

Mouth breathing is a common habit, but it comes with its own set of issues. From drying out your mouth to disrupting your sleep, it can have negative effects on your overall health, including your oral health. It can lead to issues such as increased susceptibility to cavities, bad breath, and even contribute to gum disease and even altered facial development in children.

Transitioning to nose breathing can be a game-changer for our health. Try this: tape your mouth shut at night (yes, you read that right). You could also try safely securing a headband around your face before bed to gently encourage you to keep your mouth closed, or practice mindful breathing exercises throughout the day to help release tension in your jaw and reduce the natural temptation to clench.

The Benefits of Tongue Scraping

Tongue scraping is a quick and effective way to boost your oral health. It removes bacteria and debris, reducing bad breath and preventing dental issues. You can start with a tongue scraper, available at most drugstores, or even a spoon (but be cautious). Simply scrape from the back to the front of your tongue daily, after brushing your teeth, for a fresher, healthier mouth.

Harsh Ingredients and Daily Routines

In our daily routines, we often unknowingly subject our mouths to irritants. Many commercial toothpaste and mouthwashes contain harsh ingredients like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) that might not be ideal for everyone (not to mention that SLS is terrible for aquatic life). Try opting for more gentle alternatives that soothe rather than irritate. Read the labels, and choose products that are free from these nasties for a happier mouth.

A natural (and powerful) homemade mouthwash is salt and water! Salt-water rinses are extremely beneficial for our overall health and wellbeing for a multitude of reasons. You could even boil a pot of water with a peppermint teabag and sea salt to add a burst of freshness to your DIY mouthwash!

Knowledge is Power.

You’ve got the tools to transform your health and well-being. It doesn’t come down to expensive and exotic products; it comes down to small actions day to day. Tiny changes make big differences in the bigger picture.