Many of us try to partake in more environmentally conscious habits. Who knew we could include our dental hygiene practices?
Dr Schechter, an expert in the field of natural oral hygiene, recently shared his views on natural products for dental and oral health. He discussed the common use of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a chemical foaming-agent, in over-the-counter toothpastes. In natural toothpastes, like his Truly Natural brand, plant-based foaming agents and natural fluorides found in green tea extracts are used in exchange for chemically manufactured substances.
Dr. Schechter's main ingredients of his natural toothpastes are the five pure essential oils of red thyme, cinnamon bark, lavender, peppermint and eucalyptus. The pure essential oils are mixed with liquid herbal extracts. Dr. Schecter said, "These pure essential oils are more effective!"
The effectiveness is based on a “synergistic effect” of the oils working together. They help the teeth by working as an antimicrobial, having a conditioning effect on the gum tissues, and also work towards connective tissue rebuilding. (Dr. S also mentions the oils’ bonus power of fighting bad breath!)
Other natural products offered by Truly Natural include a mouthwash, gum irrigant, and mouth spray. These products are only offered at certain dentist offices, but more information can be found at wholebodydentistry.com.
Whole Body Dentistry offers a unique assortment of therapies like biocompatibilities and detoxification therapies. Biocompatibility tests have also been called dental materials reactivity tests and check materials that your body might be more sensitive to. The detoxification therapies are customized for each patient and include a combination of herbs and vitamins to pull dental metals out of the tissues in our bodies. Each treatment is extremely unique and very untraditional, if interested check out the website above!
Claire is a twenty-three year old nursing student at Arizona State University. She currently lives in Tempe, AZ with her dog Bella.