Natural Dental Care Products for Healthy Teeth & Gums

Dental care is one of the most important aspects of self care because the health of our mouth correlates to the entire health of the body.  One of the simplest and most inexpensive items to use for dental care is baking soda.  Baking soda whitens and cleans teeth effortlessly while encouraging alkalinity in the mouth for good dental health.  The only problem with brushing your teeth with baking soda alone on a regular basis is that it can be too abrasive for your gums and cause irritation.

One major tip that I learned last year was to avoid all dental care that contained glycerin.

Although glycerin is an amazing humectant that helps to maintain moisture in hair and skin, it doesn’t allow your teeth to naturally remineralize.  I was completely shocked to discover this because most toothpaste that I've seen on the market, both natural and commercial brands, contain glycerin.  I've already been avoiding fluoride in toothpaste for years, but now have been seeking only glycerin-free formulas as well.  Here are a few natural dental care products that I've used and enjoyed.

Eco-Dent Gentle Floss, Mint

I've mentioned this floss before when looking for personal care items that have plastic-free packaging.  Eco-Dent Gentle Floss is a vegan dental floss that works well.  Not much more to say on this one!

Ora Wellness Healthy Mouth Blend & Gentle Toothbrush

The Ora Wellness Healthy Mouth Blend is a "natural and organic solution to gum disease, bleeding gums, periodontitis and bad breath."  I’ve always been diligent on brushing my teeth and flossing, yet never realized that it’s the gums that need the most care.  The Ora Wellness Healthy Mouth Blend contains organic and wildcrafted cinnamon, peppermint, spearmint, clove, myrrh, and manuka essential oils in the base of organic almond oil specifically formulated for healthy gums.

I add 1-2 drops of the Healthy Mouth Blend to my dental floss as well as brush my teeth and tongue with it.  The essential oils have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties to freshen breath and kill any bacteria in the mouth.  Ora Wellness also has a special toothbrush with soft rounded bristle ends (versus flat bristle ends) for gentle brushing which I absolutely love!  The Ora Wellness website also has wonderful articles and other products for healthy teeth and gums, plus a video on the best way to brush your teeth.

Heritage Store Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash

Hydrogen peroxide is known for killing bacteria and also makes a wonderful mouthwash when diluted with water.  The Heritage Store brand mouthwash contains a food grade hydrogen peroxide as well as eucalyptus, menthol, and thyme oil.  I think it tastes better than the hydrogen peroxide mouthwashes that I've personally made before.

Eco-Dent Daily Care Tooth Powder, Mint

I've used Eco-Dent Tooth Powder on and off for years and love that it is easy to travel with.  Although this tooth powder does contain baking soda, it doesn't feel abrasive at all to me.  I currently use this tooth powder no more than once a day in the evening, and use the Ora Wellness Healthy Mouth Blend twice a day.

Ingredients:  Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) (Baking Soda), Tartaric Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Sea Salt, Hydrated Silica, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Oil (Peppermint), Menthol, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum (Guar), Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract (Myrrh)

I italicized the two above ingredients that I initially questioned, yet didn't find anything alarming about them other than they are a "foaming ingredient" and an "inorganic salt".  Because of the "foaming ingredient" this product is not a 100% natural tooth powder, but it’s glycerin-free and non-abrasive.  Eco-Dent also has a tooth whitening formula that I've used and liked a lot too.

Heritage Store Ipsab Toothpowder

The Heritage Store Ipsab Toothpowder contains a finely milled combination of pure salt, baking soda, prickly ash bark, and peppermint powder.  This is one of my favorite brands of tooth powders because of the ingredients especially and for the size of the product for the price.  It doesn't have any foaming ingredients like the Eco-Dent Tooth Powder, yet is pretty amazing!

Clove Essential Oil

Clove essential oil has been used for centuries in dental care due to its analgesic properties.  I personally love the Ora Wellness Healthy Mouth Blend the most of all the dental care products mentioned, yet when putting 1-2 drops on my dental floss as well as brushing with it, I felt like I went through the product too quickly.  Adding clove essential oil to my dental care regimen helps me stretch out my Ora Wellness Healthy Mouth Blend.

Clove oil is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic.  I dilute clove essential oil in a carrier oil such as almond, coconut, or olive oil to add to my dental floss.  So far so good!  I’m able to get the antibacterial benefits of the clove oil to my gums with this process.  I also add a few drops of clove essential oil to a simple DIY mouthwash with baking soda, sea salt, and purified water when I'm out of my Heritage Store Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash which I currently am. (Avoid clove essential oil while pregnant or if you have liver and kidney conditions.)

Final Thoughts

I’ve tried many natural and organic tooth care products, yet these are my favorite so far.  Oil pulling with sesame or coconut oil is another amazing natural dental care option which deserves its own article, yet I haven't stuck with doing oil pulling for more than a month or two at a time.  I've also tried brushing my teeth with Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap which wasn't that much fun at all.  I'm sure that I may try something else in the future, yet for now I've found what seems to work very well for me.

Have you found any natural and organic dental care products that you love?  Please share below!

Image by Dawn Michelle