Three Dental Life Hacks for DIY Oral Care

Your mouth is feeling really nasty and you don’t have access to a toothbrush or toothpaste. What can you do?

1. Chew gum with Xylitol. When you can’t brush, chew sugarless gum. Especially if you have an issue with dry mouth (aka xerostomia) or bad breath (aka halitosis), chewing a piece of sugar-free gum can help with both problems. If that gum is sweetened with xylitol, all the better because it packs a powerful punch in helping fight against mouth bactera. The act of chewing also stimulates saliva flow, which rinses away the germs that cause tooth decay.
2. Grab an apple. Just like chewing gum, the act of crunching down on firm, fresh fruits and veggies help clean your teeth. Try a crunchy fruit for dessert to help clean food particles from dinner. This works great if you can’t brush just yet.
3. Try oil pulling. Granted, having access to vegetable oil when you can’t get to a tootbbrush is an unlikely scenario, it really works! Although it might sound like a folk remedy at first glance, studies have shown that oil pulling actually does help remove bacteria from teeth and freshen breath. It also helps coat the mouth if you have persistent problems with dry mouth. And although your dentist is likely to disagree, some folks swear by this method for their complete dental hygiene. Basically, you take any edible vegetable oil, although coconut and sesame oil work best, and swish it around for 10-20 minutes (yes, minutes). It’s important not to swallow the oil, however, and oil pulling should not replace regular brushing and flossing. Also, vitamin E oils have shown to help heal inflamed gums.

These are some great ways to add to your existing oral care routine, but no routine is complete without daily brushing and flossing habits as well as seeing the dentist regularly. Here at Apple Dental, we’re ready to help you with all your dental needs. Just give us a call!