1) Chewing Sticks:
In a world where juicing and blending are becoming increasingly popular and folk tend to spend less time masticating plants, a traditional chewing stick can have numerous benefits. Miswak from Persia and Neem from India 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 it 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.
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 young spring, preferably wild grass. That being said, the tray-grown varieties also work. Chewing young grass is wonderful for at least two reasons. Firstly, much like the chewing sticks, chewing the juicy cellulose-rich grass regularly helps to strengthen our bite, helping improve the bone density of our teeth and the structural health and pertness of our gum tissue. Secondly, the grass releases an incredible range of bioavailable minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, some of which will be absorbed through the tubules/capillaries of the teeth/gums and mouth in general. Bone building (aka alkalising) factors typically missing from the energy staples in any diet are provided by grasses. Chewing grass before a meal stimulates digestion. Chewing after a meal helps to neutralise the mouth from natural sugars and overly acidic compounds. Word of warning: chewing grass or chlorophyll-rich foods in general can (overtime) stain the teeth in certain individuals. So make sure you are oil swilling (see below) as well to mop up any potential stains.
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.