Plants to Take Care of Your Teeth and Mouth

In everyday life, we make use of toothpaste, mouthwash, or other dental and oral care products as a rule to purify our teeth  and mouths. However, did you know there are also plants that can be used to practically and naturally take care and clean them? The benefits and results are not inferior to those of the modern products sold in today’s markets. These plants are indeed the materials used in generating dental hygiene and oral care products available at this point in time. Somehow, not only traditional societies who make use of the plants, many modern populations in the world use them in spite of everything. Here are some of the types of the marvelous plants:

1. Siwak (Salvadora persica)

There are not many people use Siwak as a dental and oral  care tool in the western world, but in some parts of the world like Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, Siwak, a small twig taken from the roots of Arak (Salvadora persica), is commonly used as a daily teeth cleaning ‘key’. This is because, in addition to cultural factors, siwak also scientifically contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal acid. Some people may think of it as an old-style thing, but not for the users of Siwak. The soft and fibrous twig is felt comfortable when being rubbed on the teeth while it effectively kills germs at the same time. In addition, Siwak's typical fragrance remains unchanged inspite of its repetitive use. Universitas Indonesia’s research journal has shown that essential oil content in a siwak trunk can stimulate  rapid salivary flow. With the rapid flow of saliva, the decreasing of dental plaque pH can be inhibited, because saliva contains bicarbonate as an effective defense against acid production of cariogenic bacteria. Siwak has a bactericidal effect against some bacteria in the dental plaque, including acid-producing bacteria. Due to the effect, the foods metabolism by the bacteria does not occur. As a result, the acid production is not formed and the pH of the plaque is not decreased. In addition, gargling with a liquid of siwak extract two times a day is effective in improving the pH of dental plaque and increase the pH of saliva.

2. Betel leaf (Piper betle)

Many traditional societies, especially those who are living in Asia still use this plant as a dental and oral treatment solution. It’s not for the reason that the toothpaste and mouthwash are not there, but this branching vine is believed to be hereditarily able to overcome various problems arise in many parts of the body, especially the teeth and the mouth, such as toothache, canker sores, oral thrush, and bad breath. Chewing betel leaves regularly maintains healthy teeth and gums. This is consistent with research that shows betel leaf has its benefits as an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-larvae, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory. It also confirms that gargling with boiled betel leaf water can eliminate plaque and pain as effective as mouthwash, because eugenol contained in the betel leaves is analgesic. It is a medicinal plant which has been traditionally passed through the generations of Asian societies.

3. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

Besides as the main substance for producing tobacco and as a cooking spice, clove can be utilized effectively to clean and taking care of teeth, especially in removing tartar. Rubbing the finely grounded cloves which have been mixed with betel leaves onto the teeth, is believed to naturally eliminate tartar, and makes breath more fresh and fragrant. Scientifically, cloves are the most potent source of eugenol, the eugenol level contained by a clove is fantastically high. Eugenol which serves as an antimicrobial and antiseptic is widely used as raw materials of antiseptic liquid such as mouthwash and toothpaste. Mouthwash containing eugenol can inhibit the growth of bacteria that can cause dental plaque. Moreover, almost all oral microbes can be suppressed by the eugenol compound.

4. Peppermint (Mentha)

Many benefits contained in peppermint, one of which is to eliminate bad breath. The way how peppermint works is basically the same with betel leaves and cloves. Peppermint is associated with the aroma and freshness because it contains menthol, which consists of natural anti-bacterial. Menthol, besides causes a cooling sensation and provides health benefits to breathing, is an antiseptic material generally used in producing bad breath reliever candies plus a good quality painkiller. Even toothpaste is now made by adding menthol.  Chewing peppermint leaves may reduce the growth of bacteria in the mouth by stimulating the production of saliva and keep the mouth moist.

Those are the plants which can practically be used to naturally maintain teeth and oral health. Care to try them or apply them to the daily life? It is your choice to select.:)