Essential Oils For Oral Care

The Benefits of essential oils are more than aromatic, they have amazing therapeutic and healing properties.


Essential oils are fantastic for helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong!

Which are best for the mouth?










Peppermint & Spearmint Essential Oil: They both contain antiseptic oils, which help treat pain.  They are great in a mouthwash or toothpaste, which is why they are prevalent flavors in oral hygiene products. In addition, they both are effective in treating halitosis (bad breath)
Cinnamon Essential Oil:  This has been used for its medicinal properties, specifically its antifungal, antibacterial properties.  It helps fight germs and like peppermint, numbs pain and fights halitosis (bad breath.) Research has shown the cinnamon oils has the greatest potency against the bacteria which causes caries (decay) and periodontal (gum) disease. 
Rosemary Essential Oil:  Is a good disinfectant and takes care of mouth odors.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil:  This is a germicide that has been reported to help fight plaque build up, gingivitis (inflamed gums), and prevent caries ( decay)
Manuka or Tea Tree Essential Oil:  For oral hygiene, these are both invaluable-helping to fight germs, heal cold sores and kills halitosis (bad breath)
Myrrh Oil: Has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.  This oil is very good for oral hygiene in that it strengthens gingiva (gums)
Lemon Essential Oil:  Is an antiseptic that strengthens your gingiva (gums) and helps
whiten teeth
Lavender Oil: Enhances blood circulation and tissue (& smells wonderful)
Oil of Cloves : Properties include - Antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, a natural fungicide, insecticide, stimulate etc. Also acts a powerful disinfectant & local anesthetic


How to use essential oils?
The nice thing is that you can mix & match with what you have on hand, experimenting until you get a flavor you like.  After you brush your teeth, add a few drops of oil to your brush and gently brush the teeth and gums.  Rinse & spit.
*DO NOT SWALLOW*




HEALTHY MOUTH BLEND:
10ml peppermint, 5ml spearmint, 5ml cinnamon, 5ml clove, 5ml tea tree or manuka, 5ml lemon essential oils.  lend together, and add to either 8oz of a carrier oil or water (you will need to shake a water blend well each time before using !)   After  brushing, add a few drops to your toothbrush and gently brush your teeth and gums.  Spit and rinse- DO NOT SWALLOW !  Or use a mouth rinse after brushing.  You can adjust the strength to your taste by making the essential oil concentration stronger or more diluted.




 Using Essential Oils for Oral Health :
 (applied  a few drops topically with toothbrush)

** NOTE** Essential Oils are not meant to replace routine visits to your dentist, replace brushing your teeth, flossing, or other oral care measures.

                                   Halitosis (Bad Breath)
 The best essential oil is Peppermint followed by Lavender and Patchouli
                                         Caries (Cavities)
          The best essential oil is Tea Tree Oil followed by Peppermint and Eucalyptus
                                          Gingiva (Gums)
          The best essential oils are Lavender, Myrrh and Tea Tree Oil
               Periodontal(Gum )Disease/Gingivitis (Inflamed Gums)
         The best essential oils are Myrrh, Tea Tree Oil followed by Helichrysum and Rose
                                          Mouth Ulcers
         
          The best essential oil is Basil followed by Orange and Myrrh
                                          Teething Pain
         The best essential oil is Lavender
                                     Toothache
          The best essential oil is Clove followed by Tea Tree Oil

                                               

Stages of Teething

 Some babies are fussier than others when they are teething. This may because of the soreness and swelling of the gums. These symptoms can begin a couple weeks before the tooth shows and the fussiness usually ends after the tooth has broke through the skin.

                           STAGES OF TEETHING:

0-6 Months: Your baby is born with a full set of teeth beneath the gums which are referred to as "Milk Teeth".

 

6 Months:  Around this age the first set of teeth that begin to erupt are the incisors (upper and lower front teeth). Before eruption, the bumpy edges are often felt beneath the gum line and you may notice your baby begin chewing on their hands, toys or other items

 10-14 Months: Here come the ... Primary Molars (upper and lower jaw, towards the back of the mouth)! This stage is similar to stage 2 but with an increase in drool, crankiness and the urge to chew on everything in site! In this stage you may also notice your child experiencing fevers, diarrhea and loss of appetite.

16-22 Months: During this stage your baby's canine teeth (pointed teeth on the upper and lower jaw) will erupt

25-33 Months: Revenge of the molars! These are twice the size of the other teeth. Most parents will say this is the most difficult time of the teething process.

Although teething can be a difficult time for parents & the child their are remedies to help your child feel better while they are teething:

• Use a clean finger to gently rub your baby's gums for a couple minutes.
• Provide some teething rings/toys. *Try refrigerating a teething ring, this helps reduce swelling and soothes sore gums*
• Ask your pediatrician on over the counter medicine.
• Orajel

Suffering From Arthritis or a Loss in Your Grip ?

                  TOOTH BRUSH ADAPTATIONS

 Taking care of your teeth is made easier when you add extra mass and sometimes extra length to the handle of your toothbrush.

This can be done with many house hold items such as:

• Toothbrush attached to hand by a rubber band - Attach the brush to the hand with a wide rubber band. Make sure the band isn't to tight.

• Tennis ball on the handle of the toothbrush - Cut a small slit into a tennis ball and slide it onto the handle of the toothbrush.

• Toothbrush with a bicycle grip as a handle - Slide a bicycle grip onto the handle.

• Power toothbrush - Power toothbrush already comes with a thick handle.

Regardless of your choice remember to change your toothbrush every three to four months!