Introduction: Can Essential Oils Improve Oral Health?
At some point in time, we all have been there when our tooth pain goes to heights. Gum diseases, tooth pain, and oral health are majorly compromised. In those critical conditions, one can only think about an effective remedy that works just like magic and cures the condition. Are you wondering what that remedy works effectively and does not lead to side effects as such? Well, it is none other than the essential oils for oral health.
Essential oils for healthy gums and teeth are like a traditional treatment that includes constant flossing and swallowing the oil in a diluted manner to treat the condition from its roots. Additionally, these essential oils can bring in an array of benefits for your oral health.
How Essential Oils Support Teeth And Gums?
Good oral hygiene is the need of the hour, and maintaining it for years can be a task. Thankfully, essential oils are maintaining their popularity for the nth time, and this time for oral health. They are widely recognized because of their therapeutic healing and soothing properties.
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The essential oils have been raved about in recent years as their use in the dentistry industry has reached no bounds. So, without any further delay, let us quickly check out the benefits of essential oils for oral health along with their usage.
How To Use Essential Oils Safely For Oral Care?
We know you might be wondering about the usage of essential oils for oral health. Well, as experts, we always recommend diluting essential oils while using them for healthcare conditions. But when it comes to dental care, it is important to check if you can grasp the potency of essential oils or not. Since they are very strong, not everyone can use them even in the diluted format.
- One can always look for market-based products that include mouthwashes, gels, mouth fresheners, and toothpaste that have the above-mentioned best essential oils for oral health.
- Also, if you are not allergic, then make sure to dilute essential oils with water and gargle them for a few seconds.
- For severe tooth pain, one can apply clove Essential oil on the affected area using earbuds. However, this must be performed under expert supervision.
Top 11 Essential Oils For Oral Health
1. Peppermint Essential Oil
We have mentioned quite a lot of times that peppermint Essential oil is loaded with cooling and healing properties that immensely help to tackle various oral health conditions. As per studies, peppermint Essential oil is very popular and is widely used in the making of oral care products, including mouthwash, toothpaste, and mouth fresheners. Additionally, the Essential oil possesses strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and biofilm-restricting properties. The latter property is meant to nurture the ability to inhibit the production of biofilm in the oral cavity.
2. Clove Essential Oil
How can we not talk about the holy grail for almost every oral health problem, which is clove Essential oil? Clove oil is primarily extracted from the tiny buds of the clove tree. It is mainly used to treat toothache, gum diseases, and cavities in the mouth. Native to the countries of Southeast Asia, the essential oil is prevalent all across the world and is used in dentistry and for maintaining oral health. As per studies, clove Essential oil is rich in vital minerals that include phosphorus, sodium, potassium, hydrochloric acid, and calcium. All these rich minerals are known to nurture your tooth conditions and visibly improve your oral health.
3. Tea Tree Essential Oil
The very famous Essential oil that helps to treat a variety of skin conditions is also a must-have to maintain good oral health. Tea tree Essential oil is the one we are talking about. Tea tree oil comes from the plant tea tree and is mainly included in mouthwash, toothpaste, and mouth fresheners. It also cures oral diseases and helps in faster recovery. As per major studies, tea tree Essential oil adds a burst of freshness and flavor to the mouth while effectively battling bad breath. If you are suffering from yellow teeth, plaque, gingivitis, tooth decay, or other oral infections, then tea tree Essential oil might be your rescuer.
4. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Essential oil is extracted using a steam distillation method and procures the very potent essence of the plant. Lavender Essential oil is rich in active compounds, including Sesquiterpenes and terpenes. Both of them are rich in properties to enhance your oral health over time. However, it is important to know that lavender Essential oil is very strong and is mainly used in aromatherapy practices for relaxation purposes. One should always use it mindfully after proper dilution. The Essential oil is rich in anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties, which reduce inflammation in the gums and tackle tooth pain.
5. Cinnamon Oil
How about using the rich cinnamon Essential oil, which serves as a one-stop remedy to cure oral diseases? As per research, cinnamon Essential oil serves as an ideal cleanser for your oral Health Care. Not only this, but cinnamon Essential oil is rich in antifungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, which majorly protect against throat infections, tackle the condition of tooth decay, and also reduce tooth pain.
6. Winter Mint Oil
A new addition to the list of best essential oils for oral health and remedy guide is Wintermint essential oil. The Essential oil comes from the leaves of Gaultheria procumbens. It is extracted using the steam distillation method, and the essence is popular for treating tooth pain, unhealthy gums, and bacterial infection in the mouth. Additionally, essential oils possess strong active compounds that include methyl salicylate. It effectively reduces the pain in teeth, tackles oral health conditions, and also controls gingivitis and plaque.
7. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is one of the top essential oils for oral health. It reduces bad breath and improves gum health to a great extent. Not only this, but eucalyptus essential oil also offers healing and therapeutic benefits that majorly treat conditions like halitosis, periodontitis, and gingivitis. Widely known for its cooling, numbing, and soothing qualities, the essential oil effectively treats tooth pain, cavities, soreness in gums, and other oral health conditions.
8. Lemon Oil
Lemon oil might look like a minimal essential oil at first, but its benefits are incredible. The essential oil serves as an organic disinfectant for the teeth and promotes clean and fresh breath. Studies have found that lemon essential oil also fights fungal and bacterial infection in the mouth, like candidiasis.
9. Spearmint Oil
Spearmint oil is identical to peppermint essential oil and has a cooling and refreshing feel to it. It has a mild flavor with a sweet hint, unlike peppermint oil, which is a little too strong. The essential oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that battle bacteria in the mouth. Along with this, the essential oil is rich in a chemical compound and cooling properties, which is a powerhouse of insecticidal and antioxidant qualities, too. Overall, the essential oil promotes a faster healing process and has the natural ability to restrict the fungal infection in the mouth.
10. Thyme Oil
When talking about the most effective and high-quality essential oils for oral health and gum health, how can we miss out on thyme oil? Thyme essential oil is packed with a rich compound called thymol that is mainly used in mouthwashes and clarifying toothpaste. Thyme essential oil protects your teeth from harmful bacteria and maintains tissue integrity for overall hygiene.
11. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is not an essential oil, but it is an ideal one that you can trust for better oral hygiene. Extra virgin coconut oil is mainly used for oil pulling and prevents various gum diseases and cavities. Not only this, but it also prevents plaque formation, reduces bacteria in the mouth, and improves gum health. Use it as the first step for the oil pulling method, and the benefits will blow your mind.
DIY Essential Oil Mouthwash Recipes
Did you wash with a few recipes and ingredients available at your home? Try these mouthwash recipes that include essential oils for deep cleaning and fresh breath.
Recipe 1 – Fresh Breath Mouthwash
- For this recipe, you need a cup of distilled water along with a pinch of salt and 3-4 drops of peppermint oil.
- You can also take tea tree essential oil or any of the above-mentioned essential oils for oral health.
- Simply combine everything and rinse your mouth with it.
- This recipe mainly helps with fresh breath and reduces foul smell.
Recipe 2 – Gum Health Mouthwash
- To protect your gum health and improve it over time, this recipe is best.
- In a bowl, combine water with a pinch of baking soda.
- To this, add 1 tsp sea salt and five drops of clove, peppermint, and myrrh essential oil.
- Combine it really well and gaggle with it twice a day.
- This really helps to reduce inflammation in the gums and support their health over time.
Safety Tips And Proper Dilution
Here are some safety tips that one must keep in mind before using essential oils for oral health or in a mouthwash.
- Do not take essential oils directly, as ingestion can trigger toxicity in the body.
- It is important to only use pure and organic essential oils after proper dilution to prevent any side effects.
- A patch test is very important even if you are using essential oils in the mouth.
- Always dilute the essential oil in a certain ratio to avoid its potent nature on your oral health.
- Only add 2-4 drops of essential oil in one cup of water or carrier oil to be on the safe side.
- Only use natural mouthwashes once in a while to keep your oral health in check. They are not meant to be used daily unless prescribed by the doctor.
- Always keep essential oils in a dark place that has no access to sunlight.
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Possible Side Effects And Precautions
- Essential oils are only for external use and should never be ingested.
- Store essential oils out of reach of children and store them away from other products.
- Some essential oils can be fatal to pets; therefore, always research before using them.
- Essential oils must ALWAYS be diluted before applying to the skin, as they are highly concentrated and can cause irritation. You can dilute them with a carrier oil of your choice, and the maximum concentration of Essential oils should be 3-4%.
- Always do a patch test before applying to larger areas of the skin.
- It is unclear what effects essential oils have on pregnant and breastfeeding women. While some consider them safe, many doctors advise pregnant women to avoid the use of fragrance oils.
- Always buy pure essential oils and do not buy fake counterparts, as they won’t contain the same therapeutic benefits.
When To See A Dentist
The natural essential oils for oral health and bad breath serve as a support. They do not come in place of your regular products in any way. So, one should see a dentist if they feel something is off with their oral hygiene. Sometimes essential oils do not suit everyone. So, after doing a patch test, if the oils do not suit you, consult a dentist.
Final Thoughts: Natural Support For Oral Health
Wrapping up the list of best essential oils for oral health and a remedy guide. Hope you found your perfect match. Make sure to dig into the benefits of pure essential oils and buy the top ones from mokshalifestyle.com