Why Dental Health Really Matters

Why Dental Health Really Matters

Remember how exciting it was to lose a tooth when you were a kid? For children, losing teeth means growing up and, more importantly, a profitable visit from the Tooth Fairy! Some even tried hard to make those stubborn teeth come out – wiggling them, twisting them, pulling them…

But now that you’re an adult, chances are you’re not too thrilled with the idea of losing any more teeth. Even so, statistics suggest that most people do expect to lose teeth as they grow older and accept this as a normal part of life. And as it turns out, tooth loss is becoming the norm: A survey from the American Dental Association (ADA) shows that nearly 25% of Americans over the age of 60 have had all of their teeth removed. Only about half of Americans brush their teeth twice a day, and nearly a quarter of the population never flosses.  A study published in the Journal of Dental Research showed that 70% of adults over 65 face a significant risk of losing all of their teeth.

Even though tooth loss seems like a fact of aging, it’s not. You can keep every tooth in your mouth for the rest of your life – as long as you take proper care of them. For most of us, that means more than just brushing and flossing – we also need a healthy diet and targeted supplements.

The good news is this: Supporting oral health with integrative approaches can have a significant impact on overall wellness, particularly in the areas of cellular and cardiovascular health.*

Whole Body Health

This holistic approach to health has been slow to catch on in conventional care. For example, most dentists don’t discuss cardiovascular health with their patients, and cardiologists rarely recommend dental care for their patients — even though research shows that these two areas of health are closely related.  Case in point: Normal dental plaque can enter into the blood stream and are shown to affect the cardiovascular system.*

Cellular health is also closely related. According to research, supporting dental and oral health significantly reduces cellular health risks.* Yet many people are unaware of these connections. Could this be one reason why cellular health and cardiovascular health are such common issues today?

Metabolic health is also important. By supporting oral and dental health, we also support metabolic balance, which in turn promotes healthy oral immunity. This cycle also works the other way, so it’s important follow a low glycemic diet and support glucose balance for oral, metabolic and overall health.*

How to Properly Care for Your Teeth

How about those of you who do brush and floss regularly? Is brushing twice per day and flossing every day enough to maintain optimal dental health? For a few, the answer is yes. Some aren’t so lucky.

The most obvious answer is to visit your dentist for a professional cleaning every six months. Tartar build-up is the first step toward tooth loss, and tartar removal is not something you can do at home. It takes professional tools (and a professional behind those tools) to remove this hard layer of minerals that naturally builds up on teeth over time.

Ditch the Soda

A study published in General Dentistry showed that soda drinks are as corrosive to your teeth as battery acid and that corrosion begins within the first three minutes of drinking the soda.

Want to try a fun experiment? If you have any baby teeth hanging around that you don’t mind parting with, try this: Put a glass of water next to a glass of cola and drop one tooth into each glass. After a week, check out those teeth and prepare to never drink soda again. This is an especially great experiment to do with children.

Take Probiotics

Probiotic supplements and cultured foods (such as yogurt, sauerkraut and miso), supply friendly bacteria which support immunity and maintain a healthy ecological balance throughout the body, including the mouth.*

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling involves swishing ½ to 1 tablespoon of oil (sesame, olive or raw coconut) around in your mouth for 5 – 20 minutes, being sure to get it between your teeth and around your gums, and then spitting it out.

The oil binds with bacteria and toxins from your mouth so you can eliminate them. DO NOT swallow the oil after– this would mean ingesting everything you’re trying to get rid of! Afterward, you are left with your teeth feeling clean and smooth, and your gums refreshed. This is an ancient Ayurvedic dental practice which also supports immunity and overall health.*

PadmaHonoPure® 98% Pure Honokiol Extract and Padma Basic® Tibetan Formula

Padma Basic and honokiol extract have both been shown to actively promote a healthy oral environment and support tooth and gum health.* They also support overall health with their powerful antioxidant actions and cellular health benefits.* Padma Basic boasts over 30 years of clinical research and is shown to support immunity, antioxidant activity and cardiovascular health, safely and naturally.* HonoPure honokiol extract is 98% pure honokiol, a powerful active ingredient also shown to support cellular health and relaxation through multiple mechanisms of action.*