Fresh vegetables are good for every aspect of your health. Several everyday vegetables and herbs can even help protect your teeth from bacteria and decay. Many plants that work well to reduce inflammation can protect gum tissue from inflammation such as gingivitis.
Basil can help by killing germs that hide in the spots between the teeth. Simply chew the fresh leaves until the flavor fades. If flossing has been a challenge, improve your flossing technique with a water flossing tool to protect your pearly whites in addition to chewing fresh basil.
Other herbs that kill bacteria include garlic and bloodroot. If fresh garlic cloves are too much for you, slice them thinly and make a garlic tea. Bring water to boil, then add one to three cloves of freshly chopped garlic. Add lemon if you prefer, but be careful to drink this tea after it’s cooled for a bit. This is a great antibacterial tonic and a terrific treatment for a cold.
For those who enjoy a sweeter flavor, try cloves, nutmeg and mint. Fresh mint is easy to grow (it can be hard to not grow once it’s taken root) and chewing on the leaves is a great way to release the healthy oils in the leaves. While some people can’t stand cilantro, it is also an excellent antibacterial agent.
Additional tooth-protecting herbs you can grow in your garden include rosemary, a great source of calcium, and Camellia Sinesis.
Camellia Sinesis is the universal tea plant. If you’re interested in growing and harvesting your own tea, be aware that white and green tea are the best for fighting the germs that cause bad breath. White tea is made from the tiny hairs and smallest leaves of the tea plant. Green tea is made from the next harvest of leaves.
Another natural method of teeth-cleaning that you can grow inside year round is the Neem plant. The twigs of the Neem plant are chewed until the fibers split and become scratchy. This rough fiber is then rubbed on teeth and gums. The Neem plant is a common source of dental health in India.
The Peelu tree from the Middle East can also be chewed to clean the teeth. All of these fibers are tough and shouldn’t break off, but a careful water-flossing is probably a good idea!
While many have used baking powder as a toothpaste at some point in their lives, it may come as a surprise to find out that fresh sage leaves are a great tool for cleaning and disinfecting teeth. Simply rub the leaves on your teeth for a fresh, clean feel.
Many of us visit the dentist twice a year for a cleaning and a check-up. However, if you’d prefer to take steps to protect your smile every time you pick up a fork, consider growing some of the beneficial herbs mentioned above. Several of the herbs listed can also be grown indoors if your winter is too harsh for maintaining an herb bed year round.