People have used essential oils for oral health for centuries, and clinical studies are finally proving their safety and efficacy. In addition to therapeutic herbs and other healing agents, many essential oils show a very beneficial effect upon teeth and gums as well.
A study published in the Journal of International Oral Health, entitled “Possible Use of Essential Oils in Dentistry,” states,
“Essential oil rinses are found to be equally effective in inhibiting plaque. A study carried out by Pizzo et al. on plaque inhibitory effect of amine fluoride/stannous fluoride and essential oils showed no significant difference in efficacy of both. As chlorhexidine causes staining of teeth on long term use, essential oils can be used as an alternative to chlorhexidine rinse. Essential oils have shown to possess antimicrobial activity against subgingival periopathogens too.”
Tea Tree Oil
Did you know that human clinical trials have confirmed its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiprotozoal activity under controlled conditions showing (among other things) that tea tree oil effectively reduces bacterial load and yeast and fungal infections, as well as treats viral infections (incl. cold sores [herpes labialis]), and relieves the symptoms of gingivitis and those of denture stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth)? Tea tree oil’s efficacy against bad breath has been explained by researchers at Switzerland’s Institute of Preventive Dentistry and Oral Microbiology at the University of Basel. There, they evaluated tea tree oil and reported that it decreases the bacterial colonies that cause halitosis, making it beneficial for oral health.
Clove oil
Eugenol, the major constituent of clove oil, has been widely used for its anesthetic and analgesic action in dentistry. Eugenol exhibits pharmacological effects on almost all systems in the body. Eugenol possesses significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to having analgesic and local anesthetic activity.
Method
Clove and tea tree oil essential oils
Rubbing these essential oils of clove and melaleuca (tea tree) on your gums or brushing teeth with them has antibacterial properties which can prevent cavities, gingivitis, bad breath, and tooth decay. Apply 2 drops of these oils 2x daily with carrier oil like coconut oil.