Detoxification or detox is the physiological removal or cleanse of toxic substances from a living organism, including the human body. This process is mainly carried out by the liver. The body also rids itself of toxic and unwanted waste via the kidneys in the form of urine and also via the rectum. This is the natural detox mechanism.
The oral cavity is the doorway to the stomach and therefore comes in to contact with a lot of food substances which are acted on by salivary enzymes as well as the natural flora (bacteria) present in the mouth. This produces by-products including acid among food debris which remain in the mouth. Often, we consume sugary and acidic food that causes bacteria to thrive and multiply in the mouth causing bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay.
It is good practice to maintain dental hygiene by tooth brushing, as we all know, but recent studies show that there are natural ways to rid the oral cavity of toxic substances leaving your mouth healthy and cleansed.
DETOXIFICATION PROCESSES: Here are some easy ways to detoxify your mouth and maintain good oral hygiene.
Oil pulling is a traditional form of medicine practiced by many cultures worldwide to cure everything from headaches to tooth decay. All it takes is some swishing around of coconut oil in your mouth for 10 minutes a day to get rid of destructive Streptococcus mutants without the need for harsher chemicals. Other tried and tested oils that can be used are neem oil and black seed oil which are known for their antiseptic, antifungal, and antipyretic properties.
Tongue Scraping
Bad odor associated with halitosis, or chronic bad breath, has been found be on the tongue, particularly near the back. Hence, the technique of tongue scraping was discovered. By physically scraping away the bacterium and fungi present on the back of the tongue as well as some remnants of food debris can eliminate bad breath without resorting to any chemicals at all.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has been shown to have many medicinal uses and has been used to treat everything from acne to obesity. Recent studies show that tea tree oil can also be used to effectively treat chronic periodontitis which is triggered by the loss of balance between periodontopathic bacteria and your body’s immune response. Tea tree oil has a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect that can potentially alleviate chronic periodontitis.
Of course maintaining oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly, using a good quality toothpaste, as well as eating a healthy diet free from sugary foods and carbonated drinks is of paramount importance. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid smoking and engaging in unhealthy habits such as chewing tobacco or betel nut which contribute to poor oral hygiene. A visit to the dentist every six months is highly recommended and if all of these measures are taken you can rest assured that you will have a great set of teeth for life.
References
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Najjar T. Bacterial mouth infections. Medscape. Retrieved from: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1081424-overview. Available from Internet. Last Accessed on 01.02.16.
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