10 Feb How to Naturally Remove Harmful Bacteria from Teeth
If you don’t get rid of bacteria in your mouth, the buildup can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues. Bacteria produce harmful acids that wear down your tooth enamel and irritate your gums. The most effective ways to eliminate bacteria are to visit the dentist for professional cleanings, brush your teeth twice a day, and floss daily. However, even if you follow all of these steps, there’s always a chance of tooth decay setting in because of lingering bacteria. Luckily, there are a few additional steps you can take to remove bacteria from your teeth naturally.
Four Ways to Remove Bacteria from Your Teeth Naturally
1. Reduce Sugars in Your Diet
Oral bacteria thrive on sugar as a food source, multiplying to form dental plaque. Over time, the plaque causes erosion by increasing the mouth’s acidity, eventually resulting in cavity formation. Reducing your sugar intake starves the bacteria in your mouth, causing them to die off, which improves your dental health.
2. Enjoy Xylitol as a Substitute
If you still desire sweet foods and beverages, consider trying products that use xylitol in sugar’s place. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol or carbohydrate in various fruits and vegetables. It’s often used as a sugar sweetener in many sugar-free products and can also be found in some toothpastes. Xylitol has antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and deprive them of a food source. It even has benefits for preventing gum recession and reducing gum-damaging acidity in the mouth.
3. Eat More Probiotic Foods
Bacteria are a natural part of the mouth, and not all bacteria are harmful. Probiotics are various bacteria that benefit the human body, especially the digestive system. Oral probiotics can help prevent the growth and spread of certain types of bacteria that are harmful to your mouth.
You can introduce probiotics to your body by adding them to your diet or taking supplements. Dietary options include sourdough bread, yogurt, and soft cheese, as well as fermented foods like kimchi, pickles, sauerkraut, and kombucha. In general, any foods that use microorganisms in their creation are excellent sources of probiotics.
4. Rinse with Saltwater
In addition to mouthwash, saltwater rinses can be an effective means of naturally removing bacteria from the mouth. A saltwater rinse decreases the acidity in your mouth and deters the bacteria that thrive in acidic environments. To make a saltwater rinse, add about ½ a teaspoon of salt to a cup of water, then swish the rinse within your mouth for about ten to twelve seconds. After that, you need to spit it out as you would normally spit out mouthwash.
Reconsidering Your Dental Routine?
If you have questions about how to remove bacteria from your teeth naturally, you would benefit from an in-person consultation. Here at Prescott Dentistry, our professional, experienced dental health specialists can assist you in finding the oral care options that best serve your needs. Contact us at 303-688-3660 today to schedule an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (1/8/2024). Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash