Did you know that taking care of your oral health has benefits that go beyond just teeth and gums? That’s right - your mouth is where the digestion process actually begins. Ancient Ayurveda considers digestion as the driver controlling the direction of your health. And since oral health can significantly impact digestion, there are no points for guessing how important it is to maintain it! There are many ways to improve your oral health but only a few methods work as effectively as the herb called neem.
What is neem?
Neem is a tropical plant that is native to Asia and has been traditionally used, in parts of India and Africa, to strengthen the teeth and gums. Since time immemorial, it has been nature’s very own dental health solution. Not only that, it has been extensively used in Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathic medicines to treat various diseases, skin conditions, fever, infections, inflammation, and so on. This is because neem contains antibacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-cariogenic, antioxidant, anti-helminthic, astringent, cytotoxic, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
How does neem benefit oral health?
Neem is awesome for your teeth! This bitter-tasting herb is considered very important, thanks to its cleansing quality. Since it is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory in nature, it can actually help in cleaning your teeth better and reduce plaque buildup in the long-term. It also prevents tartar from staining that perfect smile of yours and improves your overall teeth and gum health.
Ways to use neem in your oral care routine
Because of its versatility, neem can be used in various ways to enhance your oral care routine. Here are some of the best ways you can make this herb a part of your dental care regimen:
Neem toothpaste: The most obvious way to use it to promote your teeth and gum health is to brush with a neem toothpaste. There are various toothpastes that contain neem extracts as one of the key ingredients. Brush your teeth twice daily with such a toothpaste.
Neem toothbrush: For better results, you can pair the neem toothpaste with the Oral B neem toothbrush. The Oral B neem extract toothbrush has z-shaped bristles that are designed to clean in between the teeth. It is soft on your gums and makes the teeth stronger. Brush twice a day with Oral B neem toothbrush to maintain optimal oral hygiene.
Neem twigs: If teeth whitening is your aim, then you can try brushing your teeth using neem twigs to whiten them and keep gum diseases at bay. You can easily find neem twigs in chemists or pluck it from a neem tree nearby. Neem twigs help in relieving toothaches and cleaning the teeth. You can also keep bad breath away as it doubles up as an oral deodorant.
Neem concoction: Here’s a neem dental care hack to prevent bad breath - boil a bunch of neem leaves in water till the quantity is reduced to one-fourth. Gargle with this concoction to naturally kill the bacteria present in the mouth, make the teeth whiter, and stave off bad breath.
Neem bark: An old school method to keep your gums strong and your teeth healthy is to chew on a neem bark first thing in the morning. This natural neem toothbrush combats teeth and gum diseases, prevents cavities, and significantly improves oral health. Neem bark is also used in a number of toothpastes and tooth powders and is helpful in curing problems related to gingivitis.
Neem powder: You can also make a neem toothpaste at home by grinding the neem leaves into a powder and mixing it with some water and one teaspoon of baking soda. You can brush your teeth using this paste to get shinier and cleaner teeth.
So, now that you know how to incorporate neem in your dental health care routine, let’s look at some tips to make sure your oral health is optimal -
Brush twice a day: Whether you choose a neem toothpaste or tooth powder, make sure you brush twice daily, preferably with a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush like the ones from Oral-B. This will ensure that plaque does not form on the surface of the teeth and your gums remain healthy.
Floss well: Use plain, waxed, shred-free floss strips to ensure that they slide easily between the teeth. Flossing will remove any miniscule food particles or plaque that may be hidden between the teeth.
Keep dental appointments: It is recommended to visit the dentist at least once every six months to maintain oral health optimally. It is good to get your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. Your dental health care expert can also give you more tips and guidance on how to take care of your teeth and make the gums stronger.
Neem has multiple benefits, but it is particularly brilliant for your dental health. So, make sure to include neem in your daily oral care routine. It is also super important to use advanced dental products such as the Oral-B electric toothbrushes to ensure that your teeth and gums are strong, healthy, and have longevity.
Read more about how to brush your teeth and other oral care tips.
