Why oral health matters and how to improve it

When people think about being healthy, they often focus on nutrition, sleep and exercise. These are often seen as the foundations of health, but there is something equally as important and often overlooked – oral health!

In this article, we’ll explore why oral health matters far more than just having clean teeth, and how you can improve it naturally with gentle, holistic tools.

What is oral health and why should I care?

Oral health isn’t just about avoiding cavities or brushing twice a day. It’s about maintaining a healthy oral microbiome, the delicate ecosystem of bacteria that live in your mouth. These microbes play a major role in your health, from digestive to immune responses.

• Connection to the gut: A disrupted oral microbiome can affect your gut health, potentially leading to inflammation and digestive issues. Research has shown strong links between oral and gut health. (See: Kilian et al., 2016)
• Heart health: Poor oral hygiene has been associated with increased risk of heart disease. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream, contributing to inflammation and arterial plaque build-up. (See: Lockhart et al., 2012)

How to improve your oral health naturally

Fortunately, there are easy holistic approaches to helping improve your oral health. Here are our favourite natural, tried and tested tools for supporting oral health:

Coconut oil pulling

We’ve covered a whole article on this topic which you can read here: How Coconut Oil Pulling Can Improve Oral Health & Detox the Body.

To summarise, this ancient Ayurvedic technique involves swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 5-20 minutes. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, known for its anti-microbial properties. This simple practice helps reduce harmful bacteria, support gum health, and can naturally whiten teeth. Along with this, a study in the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice found that oil pulling significantly reduced plaque and signs of gingivitis. (See: Asokan et al., 2009)

When purchasing coconut oil, we recommend you go for organic, unrefined, cold-pressed and in glass packaging.

Use a natural toothpaste

Many mainstream toothpastes contain fluoride, synthetic foaming agents, and artificial flavours. Switching to a natural toothpaste can help support your oral microbiome without disrupting its delicate balance.

Our personal choice is Dr Bronner’s for it’s organic ingredients, great taste and affordable price.

Tongue scraping

Tongue scraping is a practice of using a tongue scraper to remove bacteria, food particles, and debris from the surface of the tongue. Scraping it each morning is a simple addition to a dental hygiene routine that helps remove that build-up and freshen breath.

We recommend a copper tongue brush, as copper is naturally antimicrobial and has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic hygiene health.

Floss with non-toxic floss

Lastly, the final practice that can be used to optimise your oral health is flossing. Flossing is essential for keeping bacteria out of those hard-to-reach places.

Many commercial flosses are coated in PFAS (forever chemicals), which can absorb into the body through your gums. Switch to a non-toxic, biodegradable floss that helps you and the planet. There are many great options from silk or natural fibres in coconut oil or essential oils.

By supporting your oral health with gentle, natural habits, you’re also protecting your heart, gut and mind. Choose tools and products that honour your body’s natural balance. A few small daily actions can make a big difference over time!