3 Common Baking Ingredients That Could Sweeten Your Oral Health
Posted on: 30 December 2015
Often, people who are concerned about their oral health look for new ways to help protect and improve the state of their teeth and gums. Even though most people realize the importance of brushing and flossing, many dental patients may not know that some of the ingredients in their kitchen cupboard can benefit their dental health. Here are a few common baking ingredients that could also help sweeten your oral health:
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is used in coffee cakes, cinnamon rolls and oatmeal cookies. However, it can also promote healthy teeth and fresh breath.
Cinnamon is antibacterial and antiviral. The spice can be mixed with water and used as a homemade mouth rinse or added to your normal toothpaste. Research shows that even cinnamon-flavored gum can effectively kill the oral bacteria that are associated with bad breath.
Since bacteria are largely responsible for the decay-causing, acidic environment in many mouths, a decline in bacterial counts can help keep your mouth healthier. Oral bacteria that feed on the food particles in your mouth release acid as a byproduct of glycolysis, which is the digestive process of these microbes.
Baking Soda
Baking soda, which is often used to help baked goods rise, has a pH of 8.3, which is considered alkaline. Substances that have a pH greater than 7.0 are alkaline and those with a pH lower than 7.0 are acidic. When an alkaline substance is added to an acidic substance, the level of acidity is reduced.
Baking soda can be mixed with water and used as a homemade toothpaste. However, the paste should not be too stiff. Baking soda is abrasive, and a really stiff paste can cause damage to your tooth enamel. If you are concerned about enamel loss, simply add the baking soda to water and use it as a mouth rinse to help neutralize the acid in your mouth.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil, which gives cakes a moist texture, is anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory. It can be used for oil pulling, a practice in which oil is swished about the mouth for a period before being discarded into a trash receptacle. As the oil moves about the mouth, it traps decay-causing oral bacteria.
Coconut oil is a solid at temperatures below 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, even at room temperature, it can harden and clog the plumbing system of your home, so it is best never to spit the oil into a sink or toilet.
There are multiple ways to improve your oral health, but it is imperative to use nontraditional dental care as adjuncts to regular oral health practices instead of replacements. If you have not visited your dentist in the past six months, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your area today.
Contact a professional like Ann L Ortega DDS to learn more.
Share