Using Essential Oils in your Dental Routine

Commercial toothpaste contains numerous carcinogens and synthetic chemicals. What we put on our skin is absorbed into our bloodstream, cells and organs... and what goes in our mouth is (of course) going to be absorbed even more readily!

Have you ever wondered why most commercial toothpastes say on the label "do not swallow"? They contain ingredients like sodium lauryl sulphate - a carcinogen that makes the soap and toothpaste foam, synthetic mint (menthol) - which gives the illusion of freshness but actually builds up in the body and can cause liver damage, and synthetic cinnamon (cinnamaldehyde).

Some commercial toothpastes will also contain formaldehyde (another carcinogen), triclosan (a pesticide and suspected endocrine disrupter and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria), and propylene glycol - which is a close chemical derivative of ethylene glycol - used in antifreeze. Not to mention fluoride - which is now classified as a neurotoxin in the world's most prestigious medical journal, The Lancet. These are definitely not ingredients we want to be using on any part of the body, let alone in the mouth. To read more about toxic cosmetic ingredients, check out David Suzuki's Dirty Dozen.

For all of the above reasons, my family has been using natural toothpaste for a long time now. However, when I started to have some sensitivity in my gums this year, I turned to my essential oils to see what I could do. Many people are using coconut oil in their dental routine for oil pulling, and I had also heard of oregano essential oil having amazing benefits for the teeth and gums. There is some really interesting research in medical journals about using essential oils for dental health as well:

• Antimicrobial efficacy of five essential oils against oral pathogens
• The Long-Term Effect of a Mouthrinse Containing Essential Oils on Dental Plaque and Gingivitis
• Antiplaque Effect of Essential Oils
• Impact of Essential Oils on Dental Plaque and Gingivitis

Taking all of this information into account, I made this blend of essential oils + coconut oil + seabuckthorn oil. Not only is it good for your teeth and gums, but it is also going to be great for your immune system! Here is the recipe:

 How to use:

+ Add 2-3 drops to a dry toothbrush to gently brush gums and teeth
+ massage into gums
+ use on tongue scraper
+ add a drop to tongue to freshen breath
+ add to saltwater for mouthwash

This blend will leave your mouth feeling fresh and clean!

About the oils in this blend:

The essential oils in this blend can help enhance immune function, are antimicrobial, antibacterial, and have very positive impacts on dental plaque and gingivitis. There are thousands of natural chemical constituents in essential oils that can work together to heal and maintain oral health. For example, clove contains the natural chemical eugenol - a powerful antioxidant, and oregano contains carvacrol - which fits bacteria, viruses, inflammation, and more.

“Basically, oregano works like an antibiotic,” boosting the immune system. Many studies show that oregano has a broad range of antimicrobial activities and works against fungus, virus, and bacteria, including E. coli, Staphylococcusaureus, and Pseudomonas aeruglinosa. Wild oil of oregano in oral applications can also improve dental hygiene as it destroys plaque-causing bacteria and reduces risks of gum disease.” ( Timpone, Patrick. "Interview with Dr. Smith." One Radio Network, July 2009.)

Seabuckthorn berry oil is perfectly balanced in omega 3, 6, 7 and 9 essential fatty acids. It is a great source of vitamins C, E, A, B, beta carotene, carotenoids, and phytosterols. These wonderful constituents contribute to seabuckthorn's oral health benefits.

Coconut oil is commonly used in dental practices - check out my blog post on oil pulling! Coconut oil helps reduce inflammation, is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral. It has been used for centuries to help reduce periodontal disease.

Essential Oils

Always make sure you’re using the most pure essential oils… After all, anything that goes on your body, should be good enough to go in your body@ This is why I choose to use and share Young Living essential oils, over any other oil company – they are the most pure essential oils in the world! Read more about their Seed to Seal quality here.

To purchase these beautiful, 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils, visit my Get Started! and Essential Oils pages.

To start purchasing essential oils at 24% off retail right away, you can enroll for your Young Living wholesale account with this link: http://bit.ly/EnrollWithJasmine