
Brushing and flossing alone are not enough to keep the teeth healthy. Even with regular brushing, the teeth are still vulnerable to cavities and tooth decay. Destructive bacteria that break down the enamel of the tooth cause cavities. Eventually, cavities will wear away the teeth, causing decay.
Unfortunately, these bacteria love sugar and carbohydrates. The good news is, you don’t have to buy expensive oral care products for healthy teeth and gums. In today’s post, we are listing down practical ways to improve oral health and prevent tooth decay the natural way:
Avoid Refined Sugars
One of the most effective ways to improve oral health without special toothpaste or other products is by avoiding refined sugars. All types of sweet foods expose the teeth to acids that weaken the tooth enamel. Eating sugar treats regularly will lead to plaque buildup that hardens. Once the plaque hardens, bacteria will eat away the tooth. Cutting back on sugary foods minimizes the acidity in the mouth caused by sugar-loving bacteria. The result? Healthy, stronger teeth!

Drink Tea!
Did you know that teas of all kinds improve teeth and gum health? Tea contains anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants that neutralize bacteria that destroy the teeth. Certain types of teas also eliminate plaque buildup and suppress oral infections. To keep the teeth and gums strong and healthy, consider drinking green and black tea three to four times daily.
Avoid Acidic Foods
Acidic foods destroy the tooth enamel the same way as bacteria do. Fruit juices, citrus fruits, and other acidic foods weaken the tooth enamel. Coupled with bacteria buildup and sticky plaque, the teeth become vulnerable to tooth decay and cavities. If you love eating acidic fruits or drinking acidic beverages, we recommend brushing your teeth at least an hour after eating or drinking.
Brushing After Meals
We all know how regular brushing keeps the teeth healthy. But did you know that brushing immediately after eating is actually bad for the teeth? You see, the teeth soften after eating. Brushing the teeth aggravates the already softened enamel of the teeth. Eventually, the enamel will wear away. And once the damage is done to the teeth, there is no way to reverse it! Instead of brushing your teeth immediately after eating, we recommend waiting for at least an hour.
Eat Calcium-Rich Foods
Eating calcium rich foods will keep the teeth resistant to cavities and tooth decay. Foods like nuts, cheese, broccoli, okra, and sardines are loaded with calcium that boosts teeth and bone strength and density.
Cut Back on Carbonated Drinks
Just like acidic beverages like fruit juices and coffee, carbonated drinks also weaken the tooth enamel. If you can, eliminate carbonated drinks from your diet. If you must drink fizzy beverages, use a straw. This way, the flow of the beverage is away from the teeth.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic treatment that keeps the teeth white, strong, and healthy. To perform this technique, swish a spoonful of coconut oil in the mouth. Swish the oil for 20 minutes before spitting it out. The key is to swish the oil continuously and resisting the urge to spit it out. According to practitioners, oil pulling will draw out toxins from the teeth and gums, leaving the teeth healthy.