So, you're thinking of going all in on a holistic oral health routine. Way to go!  We hope you aren’t accepting the myth that you need all those harsh chemicals in your mouth to prevent cavities and gum disease.

While some believe that your best defense against decay includes a ton of chemicals, it’s not the only way — and definitely not the best way.  Having the right knowledge about how your mouth works is crucial to keeping it healthy. Understanding how plaque forms and how certain foods interact with your mouth will give you a serious leg-up. 

In this guide, we’ll share our top tips for how to strengthen your teeth and gums naturally without any nasty chemicals!  It’s easier than you might think.

Is it really possible to keep my teeth and gums healthy without harsh chemicals?

Yes, it is possible to keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay without using run-of-the-mill oral care products containing the “nasties” — you know, the usual suspects, like SLS, parabens, and artificial dyes & flavors. 

It might require a few changes in your daily diet and oral care routine, but don’t worry, giant, radical changes are not required!

Ok, let's dive right in! Here are 7 supercharged tips to kickstart your epic journey to a total mouth makeover!"

#1 Eat fibrous fruits and veggies

Fibrous fruits and veggies, like apples, carrot & celery sticks, and broccoli are great food for strong teeth and gums. This is because of their fibrous structure. The sturdy cellulose in these fruits and veggies rubs against your teeth as you chew them. They almost act like a natural toothbrush!

Plus, they don’t feed the bacteria in your mouth and cause plaque. Even apples, which have a higher sugar content than veggies, won’t promote plaque.

Drinking your fruits and veggies doesn’t count, though. The act of chewing fibrous fruits and veggies is what keeps your teeth clean!

#2 Avoid sugary food and drinks

This one goes without saying, but exposing your teeth to pure sugar is one of the most damaging things you can do to your teeth. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and multiply. This creates plaque, which hardens into tartar over time. You need a dentist to remove tartar.

The worst offender when it comes to sugar is sugary soft drinks. Drinking soft drinks coats your teeth in sugar, allowing the sugar to reach all the nooks and crannies. This makes it hard to fully remove all of it when you’re brushing your teeth.

Swap out that go-to soda for some crisp H2O, and if you're feeling a little extra, add a zesty twist with a splash of lemon or lime!

#3 Limit bread and grains

While not as harmful as pure sugar, bread and grains both contain sugars that oral bacteria feed on. Most people don’t realize the effect that bread (especially white bread) and grains have on the teeth. 

If you like to snack on crackers and bread, try switching to tooth-friendly snacks like almonds, cashews, and pumpkin seeds.

If you can't break up with bread and grains just yet, try the water swish-and-swirl post-meal routine. You can also throw in a bonus toothbrushing sesh—just remember to wait 20-30 minutes before you do!

#4  Clean your tongue

Your tongue is a sneaky hiding place for plaque, and most people don’t realize how the plaque on your tongue can affect your teeth and gums. Bacteria on the tongue tends to multiply, so having bacteria on your tongue can travel to your teeth and your gums and cause decay and disease. 

If you haven’t already, invest in a tongue cleaner. We offer copper and stainless steel tongue cleaners that are easy to clean, easy to use, and highly effective.

Psst: Cleaning your tongue won’t just prevent decay–it’ll also massively improve your breath and even help you fight against cold and flu viruses!  

#5 Upgrade your floss

Kudos to you if you’re already rocking tooth flossing — it’s one of the superheroes in a healthy oral care routine.  Unfortunately, many dental flosses are completely inefficient. Most are designed to glide easily between your teeth, but once they're in between your teeth, they don’t do a very good job at cleaning.  

Look for a floss that’s durable to prevent shredding and is thick enough to clean your interdental spaces effectively.

Our Smart Floss and Activated Charcoal VEGAN Floss are 55% more effective at plaque removal than their generic counterparts, have no added harsh chemicals, and are free of PFAS and PTFE. Our floss expands when moistened, covering more surface area and removing more plaque. Plus, it’s durable so it won’t cause shredding. 

#6 Brush with natural toothpaste

Natural toothpaste can be highly effective and typically contains only the cleaners that you actually need to remove plaque (like sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, and bentonite). Skip the unnecessary fillers you don't need, such as SLS, artificial dyes & fragrances, and parabens that do more harm than good.

When paired with an excellent brushing routine, this is your teeth’s best defense against cavities.

Our Herbal Toothpowder Tabs are unlike any tabs on the market. They contain hard-working medicinal Ayurvedic herbs that protect your teeth from decay and help balance your oral microbiome — a key component to strong, healthy teeth and gums.  

#7 Try oil pulling

Oil pulling is a great holistic, natural alternative to harsh alcohol-laden mouthwash.  This may be last on the list of tips but make no mistake about its importance…it is a powerful step in your oral care routine.

This ancient Ayurvedic practice involves swishing your mouth with oil for between 5 and 20 minutes.  It works by hindering the production of bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria don’t like being around oil, and it stops them from multiplying and creating plaque. Channeling the power of anti-inflammatory oils, such as sesame oil, can be a game-changer in calming the inflammation linked to gum issues.

A great time for oil pulling is right before bed, when bacteria come out to play!

Bonus: Our Oil Pulling Concentrate not only harnesses the natural effects of organic sesame oil, it’s loaded with over 20 botanical ingredients to increase the efficacy — detoxifies, conditions gums and helps balance oral flora.  

NOTE:  While we do encourage you to adopt a natural and holistic oral care routine, we also encourage you to visit the dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. 

The Takeaway

There seems to be an idea floating around that generic oral care products with harsh chemicals will act like an invisible shield around your teeth and gums. But this is simply not true — they won’t automatically keep your teeth and gums healthy and, in fact, most often do more harm than good. 

If you’re willing to cut down on sugar (including bread and grains), eat more vegetables, and drink more water, you’re halfway there.

Adopting a holistic oral care routine may involve changing up your dental products and even require a bit more time (if you’re not already in the habit).  But the benefits you’ll reap, including saying good-bye to the side effects of all those unnecessary chemicals, will be well worth it.  

And the best part? A holistic oral care routine combined with some healthy diets choices will lead to an overall healthier you!

Looking to jumpstart your holistic oral care routine?  From tongue cleaners and floss, to toothpowder tabs and Oil Pulling Concentrate — you'll find everything you need at DrTung's.