Maybe our teeth are the “tip of the iceberg”, reflecting health (or lack of it). My story seems to suggest that!
Over ten years ago, in my forties, my body was slowing falling apart (undiagnosed hypothyroid). I didn’t know what was wrong, but I had a list of what wasn’t right. Now my mouth was going to join that list of bodily woes–my gums were falling apart.
My dentist had filled a cavity that had appeared on the side of my tooth, near the gum. A short time later, that area of my gum started blistering (bleeding and pus included, ew). The dentist sent me to a gum specialist, who told me she needed to remove the filling I’d just gotten, so that she could perform some thousands-o-dollars gum surgery.
THIS was being told to the small business owner who had no dental insurance, and who was not making a whole lotta money! I did not like that idea.
THEN I found out about the hypothyroid. I started taking Armor Thyroid, and suddenly felt better than I’d felt in years (like, thirty!). Before taking the thyroid supplement, I had been thinking this was just what getting old felt like. Once my thyroid started working again, I discovered what feeling normal was like, and it was WAY better feeling than I’d felt in years.
So… I suspected that the gum issue was just another part of the whole thyroid problem. I suspected that my gums might start healing naturally, now that I’d begun to address (not the symptom) the CAUSE of my troubles.
I was right! My gums got WAY better. And now, I’m determined to keep ’em that way. I’m using a little activated charcoal to brighten my teeth on occasion, and I’m brushing with homemade toothpaste (see easy recipe below).
I worked up the recipe below after reading Denise Minger’s article about her experiences. A long-term raw vegan diet gave her horrible dental problems. Because of the acidity of her mouth and body on that diet, the health of her teeth and gums suffered.It makes sense that the toothpaste below (and the activated charcoal), in causing a more alkaline condition, would be ideal for dental health.
Homemade Toothpaste
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 c. baking soda
- 20 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 10 drops myrrh extract (if available)
Ideally, coconut oil should be warm enough to stir- not too solid, but not all melted either (or the baking soda will just sink to the bottom). Mix the other ingredients into the oil, stirring with a fork. Add everything to a jar; use a small amount to brush teeth. Cheaper, better, more natural!
Will try this recipe out and will share about this recipe with friends. By the way, which brand of essential oils do you use?
My sweet sf- hadn’t heard from you in awhile! I did some research awhile back, when a friend was getting into Young Living essential oils. She’d seemed to veer towards pyramid schemes in the past, so I was leery. I got the impression YL was in a similar category- I was not impressed! So I dug deeper and found “Nature’s Gift”. Marge Clark is the elderly lady who owns the company, who is a treasure-trove of information. I had wondered about the wisdom of using wintergreen oil (as found in a Tooth & Gum mix from “Uncle Harry’s”), to deal with a gum problem I had. I felt like she really answered my questions, and she also advised me against using the wintergreen in something I’d be
ingesting (even to a small extent). I trust that lady, and I trust her company. Her products can be a bit pricier than some, but are of great quality. She’s quite the connoisseur of super-fine oils!
Thanks for this recipe! I didn’t have the myrrh, so I put in more peppermint essential oil! Love it!
Paula, I’m so glad you tried it! I can’t believe how easy it is. And my gums like it too 😀