The second episode of the Oral F.I.T.N.E.S.S Bootcamp is I for Inflammation/Infection.
It has become well recognised that oral health has a direct effect on overall health. The oral cavity is the window to your bodies health. When your gums bleed and you wake with stale breath these are signs that your body is inflamed. Inflammation is a silent killer and linked to diabetes, stroke, heart disease, arthritis and even some cancers.
So it is essential that you take steps in these difficult times to do everything you can to optimise your oral health. I have made a short 5-minute video that outlines some simple steps on how to floss, brush and carry out a simple daily regime of oil pulling to take care of any mouth inflammation.
1. Flossing is a simple discipline which is often skipped as our lives are too busy and we are too tired to carry it out before bed. This is why I recommend trying to floss your teeth without a mirror so that you can carry it out when you are relaxing in the evening while sitting on the couch. Removing bacteria in between your teeth and under the gum reduces your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
2. Toothbrush techniques vary and we all have our way of brushing with a toothbrush that is very difficult to change. My video explains the purpose of brushing and the need to slow down and focus at your gum/tooth margin.
3. Oil pulling is an ancient discipline in Ayurvedic medicine ofter carried out with Sesame oil. I prefer virgin coconut oil as it has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties that other oils do not have. On waking, if you can get into the habit of placing a flat teaspoon of oil in your mouth and sealing your lips, draw in between your teeth for five minutes minimum your oral biofilm will thank you. A night of mouth breathing and snoring will create areas of stagnation of nasty bacteria which will be washed away with oil pulling.
If you prefer sesame oil, that’s fine but do it for a little longer as a 20-minute oil pull with any oil will optimise your nasal breathing and open up your sinuses. Nasal breathing also supplies more oxygen to the deeper part of your lungs and so your brain. The Vagus nerve is also stimulated that boosts digestion and detoxification.
The other sources of inflammation and infection are wisdom teeth, dead teeth and failed root canal treated teeth. The coconut oil will help these situations too but if you are getting any discomfort from these it is wise to get it checked out as this could lead to a major dental emergency. At Dental Wellness we have digital x rays and a 3D Conebeam CT that will give a high definition 3D view of your sinus cavity, skull, jaws and teeth. Finding problems that are often the root cause of chronic inflammation in the body gives us a pathway to not only remove oral inflammation and infection but also optimise your wellness and longevity for the future.
Keep Smiling,
It’s good for You!
Dr David Cowhig, the founder of the Dental Wellness clinics, is a pioneer in holistic metal free dentistry & aesthetics, providing scientific-based biological dentistry. We support you as an individual and take into account the variety of factors that can lead to dental and oral health problems. We believe passionately that creating health and beauty around us is an integral part of life and you will feel these qualities in our dental care. You can find us at The Gap in Brisbane, focussing on holistic aesthetic total metal-free dentistry.
Contact Dental Wellness on 07 3511 1399 or email [email protected].