1) Chewing Sticks:
In a world where juicing and blending are becoming increasingly popular and folk tend to spend less time masticating, a traditional chewing stick can have numerous benefits. Miswak from Persia, Olive Twigs from the Meditereanean and Neem from India, alongside a number of others, have been used for thousands of years as toothbrush sticks. Firstly, the sticks provide resistance and tension, the simple act of chomping on something that is sufficiently fibrousy/chewy allows teeth and gums to strengthen over time owing (in part) to the piezoelectric effect. In addition, both Miswak and Neem offer excellent protection from gum disease and general inflammation as they both yield potent antibacterial saps which gradually permeate out, as the stick is brushed with or chewed. Finally, the sap and cellulose contain a good deal of bone co-factor minerals such as silica, boron and fluoride (the good kind that you might find in green tea etc) which the tubules of the teeth will be able to absorb directly. When miswak has been chewed a little, the fibres open out nicely and it makes an excellent toothbrush.
2) Magnesium/Calcium Nanoparticle Solution:
Taiwanese scientists discovered that if you mix a Magnesium/Calcium nanoparticle solution like Bone Support, with the material that normally makes up dental fillings, it significantly reduces further decay in the cavity site. Nanoparticle or angstrom sized minerals do not require any digestion to be absorbed. By swilling around the mouth for 5 to 20 minutes in the same style as oil pulling (making sure to swallow in this case), the tooth, so long as it is not coated in glycerin, plaque or the like, will be able to absorb the minerals right through the dentin, via its tiny tubules. Slowly and surely dental bone density will improve.
3) Comfrey and Oat Straw Swill:
Comfrey root contains a wound healing compound called allantoin and has been used for tissue, gum and bone regeneration for hundreds of years (it is also know as boneknit). Oat Straw (the dried grass of the oat grain) contains good amounts of bio-available silica, calcium and magnesium and other useful bioactives and is a very safe compliment to the comfrey. Essentially a tea or decoction can be made. Two teaspoons of the dried comfrey root, or an inch or so of the fresh root, thinly sliced, is added to a couple of teaspoons of oat straw herb. Add 400ml of water and simmer for 10 mins, let cool. You can swill with this tea throughout the day: last thing at night and after meals is a good idea. Swallow after swilling before bed. Spit out when you have swilled just after eating. Swilling for at least 5 minutes is recommended. Can be very useful for treating receding gum issues. For high quality organic French Oat Straw click here.
4) Liquid Co-Q10:
Of all the supplements, Co-Q10 is probably the most researched for its beneficial effects upon gum health. A high-quality liquid supplement should be chosen that contains at least 100mg of Co-Q10 per 5ml. Co-Q10 is part of a family of naturally occurring substances called quinones. Quinones, including Co-Q10, are essential intermediaries for the generation of energy, including the energy needed to regenerate and repair tissues. Researchers have discovered that many people that suffer from inflamed gums, gingivitis or receding gums, are deficient in Co-Q10, generally, and in the gum tissue specifically. Massaging liquid Co-Q10 directly into the gums, or areas where the gum needs to heal, have been shown to improve the capacity for gums to repair themselves, tightening pockets, encouraging tissue regrowth, and warding of bacterial infection. A tingling sensation is common upon application, rinse with warm water or tea after 20-30 minutes and then swallow, do once or twice a day. Alternatively, I have come across an increasing number of people using a teaspoon of the Q10 in with their oil pulling routine (see number 6). As the Q10 is fat soluble, absorption might well be increased in this manner.
5) Nature’s Chewing Gum:
One of the easiest things you can do to improve oral health is to chew certain types of natural tree resin. One such resin that has been chewed for oral health for thousands of years is Frankincense resin. Just as with chewing sticks, chewing something mineral-rich and substantial, not only strengthens and invigorates the jaw bone and tooth structure, it also stimulates the surrounding facial muscles, providing a natural face lift massage, a result you will absolutely not get from drinking smoothies and eating mashed potato and yoghurt all day. For your jawbone and dentition, when you chew and bite, the force you exert through your teeth into your jaws and teeth sends signals to osteoblasts to keep that bone strong. In addition to osteoblast stimulation, chewing on frankincense resin is an esteemed natural tool for the improvement of your oral health; conferring a suite of natural antibacterial properties and helping with the reduction and removal of plaque. Traditionally, adherents of Islam would often chew on the resin whilst reading the Quran so that its words and message would sink in and be absorbed better, and indeed, both the the chewing and drinking of frankincense water is highly correlated with an increase in the acquisition and retention of memory. For highest-quality medicinal Frankincense resin with the longest track-record of scientific research pertaining to its beneficial phytochemistry, see my store here.
6) Oil Swilling/Pulling:
I have previously written an in-depth article on the Ayurvedic practice of oil swilling for International Lifestyle Magazine (see here) , so I won’t repeat myself now. Highly effective when done alongside an appropriately nutrient-rich diet, and the above practices. A single drop of essential oil in your cold-pressed pulling oil (german chamomile, ginger, yarrow, tea-tree or mint – just to name a few) can bring an additional anti-bacterial and anti-fungal protection to the routine. Do not shortcut on the oil quality. Although you will indeed be spitting the oil, many fat-soluble vitamins and essential fats can be absorbed sublingually (through the capillaries under the tongue). Oil swilling is excellent for removing stains that are fat-soluble, colourations that are not typically touched by normal toothpastes.
