Say “Ahhhh”: Good Health Starts in Your Mouth
Aryuvedic tips for next level oral hygiene and whole-body health
A strong immune system helps your body fight infections and disease. Bacteria can disrupt and weaken this vital system—and much of it enters your body through your mouth. From there, it can end up in your digestive and respiratory systems and your bloodstream.
Your mouth is your body’s first line of defense for protecting your immune system. That’s why good oral hygiene isn’t just about protecting your teeth and gums but your whole body. And while brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist are a necessary part of good oral health, there’s more you can do to ensure that your mouth is as healthy as it can be.
At Nature’s Link Wellness, we recommend following some trusted practices from Aryuvedic medicine, one of the world’s oldest, whole-body healing systems. These tips will help you take your oral hygiene to the next level for a healthy mouth and body.
Tongue Scraping
In Aryuvedic medicine, the tongue is an important part of good mouth health. While brushing it with a toothbrush or using mouthwash can help minimize the bacteria and other toxins and debris that proliferates there, they don’t work as effectively as regular tongue scraping. This ancient practice is super easy to do and provides a wealth of benefits, including:
- Removing bacteria, food, fungi, dead cells, and toxins
- Promoting fresh breath
- Allowing taste buds to function more effectively so that you can taste food better
- Reducing the spread of bacteria
Start with a good tongue scraper like Dr. Tung’s Tongue Cleaner. Then follow these simple steps twice a day:
- Place the tongue cleaner on your tongue as far back as is comfortable
- Gently glide the cleaner forward, “scraping” off unwanted matter
- Repeat three or four times
- Rinse well
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is another Ayurvedic self-care practice that can be beneficial for mouth hygiene. It helps strengthen teeth and gums, prevent mouth dryness, ease dental discomfort, and inhibit tooth decay.
Daily oil pulling is as quick and easy as tongue scraping. We like to use Dr. Tung’s Oil Pulling Concentrate because it’s made from a unique blend of 24 plants and herbs. After you brush your teeth and scrape your tongue, place 1 tbsp of the concentrate in your mouth. Slowly swish it around and “chew” on it for 5-15 minutes. When you’re finished, spit the oil into the toilet. Finally, rinse your mouth with lukewarm, saline water.
Nano Silver
One final tool we like to have in our oral health hygiene toolkit is nano silver. This material is part of a growing field of nanotechnology being used for a wide range of medicinal, scientific, and other applications. Nano silver is valued for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. Dental health care practitioners have come to rely on nano silver to help prevent infections during and after procedures.
For oral health, nano silver is available in many forms and products including mouthwash, toothpaste, sprays, drops, and lozenges. These can be used in combination as part of a daily care routine to help prevent bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, and periodontal disease.
Want To Upgrade Your Oral Health?
If you’re ready to learn more about how your oral hygiene affects your whole-body health, the team at Nature’s Link Wellness can help. Dr. Kristine Devillier is a mind/body mentor, board-certified naturopath, and master herbalist with more than 20 years’ experience helping clients protect and nurture their most precious resource—health. Dr. Devillier and her team will assess your current oral care routine and help you make changes that can affect your mouth and overall health. To set up your natural health consultation, call Nature’s Link on 337-332-2705 or reach us online. Nature’s Link Wellness Center is a top choice for natural oral health in Breaux Bridge, Lafayette, or Acadiana, Louisiana.
