Alternative Care of Gum and Teeth

A healthy mouth is essential to sound nutrition.  In order to be absorbed by the body, food must be properly digested.  To be properly digested, food must first be properly mashed up by the chewing process.  Sore teeth and gums may inhibit proper chewing.

Teeth are invaluable. They also require constant care if they are to last us the length of our life.  Many people diligently care for their teeth and also have concerns that the regimens and products commonly recommended by dentists may not be as beneficial as advertised.  There are alternatives.

We do not endorse the following methods and products, or claim these are superior to those commonly recommended by dentists.  We present this information only to provide possible direction to any seeking or needing alternatives.  We encourage investigation and even experimentation to find out if any of these will serve you better.  if you have experience with any of these tools and methods we would appreciate your feedback to help us in our own assessment.

• Oil Pulling is a process, reputedly more than a thousand years old, of using olive, sesame seed or coconut oil to remove from the mouth bacteria harmful to teeth and gums, and to reduce plaque and tartar:  http://wellnessmama.com/7866/oil-pulling-for-oral-health/                                                                                                                                         
• The Bass Method of Teeth Brushing was invented by Dr. Charles C. Bass in 1911.  Dr. Bass was a medical doctor, a research doctor, the dean of a university.  He developed this technique seeking to heal the advanced periodontal disease in his own mouth in order to avoid having his teeth extracted.  He died in 1975, 100 years old, apparently still using his own teeth.  This method engages gentle, microscopic strokes targeted to the gum line rather the bold, long strokes on the surface of the teeth traditionally taught  http://tube.medchrome.com/2013/04/brushing-technique-bass-and-modified.html                                                                                                                                        
• The Bass Toothbrush, also developed by Dr. Bass, differs markedly from most tooth brushes. The Bass brush has fewer bristles in few rows, and they are blunted rather than sharp.  The engineering allows the bristles to penetrate where they must in order to clean the mouth of dangerous bacteria without irritating or abrading the gums.  http://www.orawellness.com/In-the-Mouth-Support/Bass-Toothbrush-regular/flypage.pbv.v1.tpl.html                                                                                                          
• Homemade Toothpaste can be simple and inexpensive to make.  It can even be naturally rather than artificially mint-flavored, sweetened or unsweetened. Here's one of many recipes to be found on the web: http://wellnessmama.com/2500/remineralizing-toothpaste/