Essential Oils for Oral Health

Essential oils are trending in popularity among fans everywhere. These potent liquids are fun and fresh ingredients you can customize for almost any oral hygiene need. As with any DIY dental treatment, always do your research and be cautious. Not all oils are safe to ingest, and some may hurt you if applied directly to your skin.

Essential oils are distilled from plants and usually sold singularly with one ingredient per bottle, although you can also find oil blends. Like other supplements, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate their safety or efficacy.

 

How to Use Essential Oils for Oral Health

Those in the natural health field are concerned that dangerous chemicals in conventional health products may hinder natural bodily functions, especially the endocrine system. The attraction to using essential oils in dentistry is that they may not pose such a risk to the body.

Cinnamon, peppermint, spearmint, myrrh, clove, and tea tree essential oils are all believed to be antimicrobial, which means they kill germs that cause pain, disease, and decay. Myrrh oil may also soothe and heal gums by increasing blood flow to the tissue, and clove oil may aid in numbing pain.

Essential Oil Treatments

While each person has unique dental needs, these are the three main things most patients care about: gum disease, tooth decay, and halitosis (bad breath). Below are two simple ways to incorporate essential oils into your oral hygiene routine:

• Promote healthy gums and fresh breath with an essential oil mouth rinse. Use 5-10 drops of your choice of oils per one cup of water. Swish one tablespoon of the mix at a time and spit out like you would any other mouthwash.
• Prevent tooth decay and fight plaque by putting 2 drops of an oil of your choice on your toothbrush. Brush gently and spit out excess oils and saliva.
• Bonus tip: Keep your toothbrush clean by regularly placing it in a 1/4 cup of peroxide mixed with 1 drop of essential oil. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before shaking it off and leaving it out to dry.

As always, make sure you run everything by Dr. Hawkins—especially DIY ventures and less conventional practices. If you’d like to get a more in-depth, professional opinion on the matter, call Crown Dentistry in Arlington and make an appointment today!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.