A great smile is always one of the first things you notice about a person when you meet them for the first time. Unfortunately, the same is true for halitosis. We all would all like to have the former but clearly want to avoid that latter. Although as a friend of mine likes to joke: “better halitosis than no breath at all.”
The issue, however, is not whether we should take care of out teeth. We all know by now that we should. It is whether the products that we commonly use to clean our teeth and keep our breath smelling fresh are safe. Take, for example, common mouthwash products that contain concentrated alcohol. Using these products may not really bother you since you spit and don’t swallow the stuff. You aren’t going to get drunk from them. But even swishing strong alcohol in your mouth can be bad. Apart from the fact that it can sting and leave your mouth feeling dry, there is some evidence that alcohol is linked to cancer, even if it is just in contact with the mouth and not ingested.
Many toothpaste brands also contain some chemicals such as SLS or triclosan that many people would prefer to avoid. So what about using more natural products? As it happens there are a range of natural toothpastes that don’t contain many of these bad products. Many use simple bicarbonate of soda or lime to provide the basic brushing and scrubbing solution. They will then often have natural products such as pollen, teetree oil or similar substances that occur naturally and help make the breath fresher while also suppressing the growth of bacteria to help keep your mouth fresh. In some products aloe Vera is used along with peppermint for a fresh taste.
Many people question whether to use fluoride in their toothpaste. It does help strengthen teeth and I find mine are better with it than without it, but one can find a variety of different choices regarding whether to use natural toothpaste with or without fluoride.
One other product that has been shown to improve the health of teeth and gums is green tea. It is thought to have natural antibacterial properties so it helps suppress the bugs that cause cavities. It is also unsweetened and, in moderation, provides a healthier alternative to sweetened drinks such as fizzy cola. Just remember to drink the tea itself. Tablets containing an extract of its main substances will probably not do your teeth much good.