Smile Please

Look after your teeth and you could save yourself a lot of pain and visits to the dentist

May 16th marks the start of National Smile Month run by the British Dental Health Foundation to raise awareness of the importance of looking after teeth and maintaining them for life. We all know how vital it is to brush and floss teeth regularly and not to skip those check-ups at the dentist. But what you may not know is that there are some herbal remedies that can help your oral health routine.

FOR MOUTH ULCERS

Those painful raw lesions that can appear on your gums or elsewhere in your mouth could be a sign that your immune system is below par.  

Action Try applying a drop of neat echinacea tincture to the affected area every hour.  Washing your mouth out with sage may also help. To make a mouthwash put 200g of dried sage leaves into a litre of boiling water. Infuse for around 10 minutes and strain. Wash your mouth out with two or three times a day.

FOR BAD BREATH

Bad breath or halitosis is usually a result of gum infection, tooth decay, bad digestion or bits of food caught between the teeth.

Action In the first instance you need to pinpoint the cause and take appropriate action, which may involve a visit to your dentist or GP. Chewing on a sprig of raw parsley is a tried-and-tested natural remedy. Why does it work? The leaves are rich in chlorophyll, which acts as a powerful neutralizer of bad breath.

FOR TOOTH DECAY

Too much sugar in the diet is a common cause of tooth decay as is poor dental hygiene. A small cavity or hole can quickly lead to tooth decay so it pays to take protective action.

Action Cutting down on sugary foods and fizzy drinks can reduce the likelihood of decay, as can regular brushing and flossing.  Washing your mouth out with an infusion of thyme can help to keep your mouth bacteria free while if one of your teeth starts to ache, cloves are the remedy for you.

Chewing a clove three or four times a day or rubbing a drop of the essential oil on to the affected tooth three or four times a day may bring relief. A peppermint mouthwash is also worth a try. Simply put I dessertspoon of dried leaves into 150 ml of boiling water. Infuse for 10-15 minutes. Strain and use warm as a mouthwash two or three times a day.

TRY THESE…

Follow these tips from The British Dental Health Foundation

• Brush your teeth twice a day
• Cut down on sugary foods and drinks
• Visit your dentist regularly as often as they recommend