3 Natural Ways To Keep Your Smile Healthy And Radiant!!

Having a radiant smile is a wonderful confidence booster and leaves a great impression and keeping it radiant AND healthy should be a priority. We at Pearly Brites do not recommend using any harsh, commercial chemicals to maintain your gorgeous smile. Constant usage of such chemicals will cause more harm than good over time. We have 3 natural ways that are guaranteed to help maintain the whiteness of your pearly whites as well as improve its over all health. With these proven methods, you will be able to even surprise your dentist with how improved the appearance of your teeth and gums are!

We strive to keep our clients happy and we believe providing essential information that will benefit them is one way of achieving that goal.

Please continue reading. Hope the information provided below will be of great help!

3 natural and effective ways to keep your smile healthy and radiant are:

• oil pulling

• natural charcoal

• miswak sticks

(Please do your own research to confirm these findings)

OIL PULLING

Oil pulling is an age-old remedy rooted in Ayurvedic medicine that uses natural substances to clean and detoxify teeth and gums. It has the added effect of whitening teeth naturally and evidence even shows that it may be beneficial for gum health and that certain oils may help fight harmful bacteria in the mouth!

What is Oil Pulling?

Short answer: Oil pulling is the act of swishing oil (usually Sesame, Sunflower or Coconut) in the mouth for up to 20 minutes to improve oral health.

The basic idea is that oil is swished in the mouth for a short time each day and that this action helps improve oral health. Just as with Oil Cleansing for the skin, the principle of “like dissolves like” applies, as oil is able to cut through plaque and remove toxins without disturbing the teeth or gums.

The practice of oil pulling (also called gundusha) started in India thousands of years ago, and was first introduced to the United States in the early 1990s by a medical doctor named Dr. F. Karach, who used it with success in his medical practice.

Benefits of Oil Pulling

Though more research is needed to determine any scientific backing to oil pulling, we have noticed the benefits personally and dozens of readers swear by its effectiveness as well.

In fact, in our original research, we found hundreds of testimonials online from people who experienced benefits from oil pulling, including help with skin conditions, arthritis, asthma, headaches, hormone imbalances, infections, liver problems and more.

Bacteria and infection can enter the blood through the mouth, it does make sense that addressing these infections could have an impact in other parts of the body.

At the very least, we feel that oil pulling can be very beneficial and has no downside as long as a quality oil (that is high enough quality to eat) is used and it is done correctly. Oil pulling is a very inexpensive therapy that could potentially have great benefit on oral health

How to Oil Pull

The concept is incredibly simple. Basically, a person swishes a couple teaspoons of organic oil ( we recommend black seed oil, organic coconut, sesame or olive) in the mouth for 20 minutes and then spits it out and rinses well. Oil pulling is best done in the morning, before eating or drinking anything, though Dr. Bruce Fife suggests that it can be done before each meal if needed for more severe infections or dental problems.

Oil Pulling Instructions

1. Put 1-2 teaspoons of oil into the mouth. T

2. Swish for 20 minutes. The timing is key, according to Dr. Bruce Fife, author of Oil Pulling Therapy, as this is long enough to break through plaque and bacteria but not long enough that the body starts re-absorbing the toxins and bacteria. The oil will get thicker and "milky" as it mixed with saliva during this time and it should be creamy-white when spit out. It will also double in volume during this time due to saliva.

3. Spit oil into the trash can. Especially if you have a septic system like I do… don’t spit into the sink! The oil may thicken and clog pipes. Do not swallow the oil as it now contains a host of bacteria, toxins and pus that have been drawn out of your mouth!

4. Rinse well with warm water. Swish a few times with warm water to get any remaining oil out of my mouth.

5. Brush well afterwards.

This can also be done with coconut oil, which is naturally antibacterial and has a milder taste that other oils. Anyone with a sensitivity to coconut oil or coconut products should avoid using coconut oil in this way. Sesame oil was traditionally used in the Ayurvedic tradition and is another great option, just make sure to use an organic sesame oil. Black seed oil is packed with omega fatty acids and other antioxidants that can improve your gum health.

Is Oil Pulling Safe?

Thankfully, this is one point that all sources seem to agree on! Some sources claim that oil pulling doesn’t have the benefits often attributed to it or that it doesn’t actually detoxify the mouth, but all of them agree that it is absolutely safe

All of the oils that are often used are completely edible and considered to be healthy when eaten, so they aren’t problematic when swished in the mouth. The only potential danger is if the oil is swallowed after it has absorbed any bacteria or toxins from the mouth.

According to several dentists, oil pulling could be considered an effective and safe alternative to mouthwash and that there shouldn’t be any harm to trying it.

What Oil Should Be Used for Pulling?

It depends.

If the goal is whitening the teeth, I’ve found coconut oil to be most effective (especially when combined with this unusual remedy). Coconut and Black Seed oil is also slightly more effective at removing certain bacteria from the mouth, including the Streptococcus mutans bacteria that is known for causing dental caries (source).

Sesame oil is recommended by most sources (though this is partially because it was one of the more widely available oils when the practice first started years ago) and it is also the most well studied and considered safe for those who are not allergic to sesame seeds. Olive oil is sometimes used, though some sources claim that it is too harsh for the teeth. The main thing is to avoid using any high Omega-6 or chemically created oils like vegetable oil, canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, etc.

Who Can Do Oil Pulling?

Anyone seeking oral health should practice oil pulling. As long as they are old enough to know that they should not swallow the oil once its been swooshed in the mouth, then they are old enough to oil pull.

Pregnancy: We asked a midwife and she said that it is generally considered safe for pregnant women, especially after the first trimester. Oral health is especially important during pregnancy so I’ve always been glad to have an extra way to keep my teeth and gums healthy while pregnant and just consider it like brushing or using mouthwash. As with anything, check with a doctor or midwife before doing oil pulling, especially if pregnant.

Nursing: Generally considered safe but check with a dentist or doctor to be safe.

Dental Issues: I got the ok to do this from my dentist and doctor with several (non-amalgam) fillings in my mouth but I’d check with a doctor or dentist to be sure, especially if you have any metal fillings, crowns, or dental problems.

Note: Some people supposedly notice a detox reaction for the first few days of using oil pulling that usually includes mild congestion, headache, mucous drainage or other effects.

Oil pulling is a very effective way to maintain or improve your oral health! This is just one of the natural ways to maintain a healthy radiant smile.

MISWAK STICKS ARE ANOTHER METHOD

So, what is miswak?

Well, miswak is a twig that helps in cleaning teeth and has been used for this purpose for over 7000 years now! (Faint recollections of people in rural areas with a ‘stick’ in their mouths early in the mornings? Yes, now you get it).

Combining the functions of a toothbrush and toothpaste, Miswak’s antibacterial properties have saved many a people from cases of dreadful tooth decay and worse across the centuries. Reportedly, Miswak stick has been in use right since the time of the ancient Babylonians and Egyptians.

Scientific Research

In multiple studies done by the WHO and other independent health organizations, it has been found that people who used Miswak on a regular basis require much lesser dental care than those who used toothpastes and powders. (1)

Research has established that regular use of Miswak has a therapeutic effect on gingival disease, and acts against multiple gum disease causing organisms such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans etcetera. (2)(3)A recent study by Patel PV et al, has found that when used as an adjunct to regular toothbrushes, Miswak helped record a noticeable improvement in plaque score and gingival health. (4)

Apart from this, using Miswak on a regular basis has a host of other benefits too as we shall see shortly.

Active Ingredients In Miswak

A raging question by this point would be – what is it about Miswak that makes it all-so-effective? The answer to this question lies in its active ingredients. While most oral disinfectants such as toothpastes, mouthwashes, and tooth powders, build their entire advertising campaigns around just one or two key ingredients such as silica, Miswak has a set of 19 active ingredients that actively promote stronger teeth, while also maintaining oral health.

• Alkaloids—Salvadorine, Trimethylamine—have an antibacterial effect

• Silica—natural abrasive, removes stains

• Calcium, Chlorides, Fluorides—important for dental care. Flouride helps in remineralizing the tooth structure.

• Sulphur

• Vitamin C

• Resins—Form a protective layer over the enamel to prevent the formation of caries

• Tannins—Function as a natural astringent, stimulate premolar saliva production

• Saponins, Flavonoids, and Sterols in small amounts

• Essential oils—impart a mild taste and fragrance, stimulate the production of saliva, and help relieve flatulence

Why It is Called A Truly Safe And Effective Natural Toothbrush

Brushing our teeth twice a day with a streak of shiny white toothpaste (or the zany, red crystals one) is a habit that has been inculcated in most of us right since early childhood. The accepted wisdom behind this practice has been that toothpastes are essential to oral hygiene. Granted. But considering that the first toothpaste was invented sometime in the mid nineteenth century, using chew sticks, or Miswak, is a traditional knowledge that has benefited scores of people over centuries.

With the goodness of a host of naturally occurring active ingredients and zero chemical formulations, Miswak is safe to use and can be used by both adults and children alike. This is in direct contrast to the commercially available toothbrushes and toothpastes that need to be used with extreme caution, especially with younger children, for fear of conditions like fluorosis etcetera. Miswak can also be used comfortably as a natural toothbrush thanks to its effectiveness, to know more about which, we suggest you read our next section about benefits of miswak!

Benefits Of Miswak

What are the benefits of using ‘Miswak’ over a regular toothbrush? Between a regular toothbrush and Miswak, how does Miswak score over the regular toothbrush, you ask? Without further ado then, here are the top 8 benefits to making Miswak toothbrush a part of your everyday routine-

1. Fights Tooth Decay And Cavities

One of the greatest blessings of this modern age has been the wide availability of food. Sweet, sour, tangy, bitter, farm fresh, processed—you name it, and your supermarket probably has it. But the increase in the availability of food, especially rich-in-sugar processed food, has manifested itself in the growing incidences of tooth decay in the general population.

Tooth decay occurs when enamel (the glossy white cover on your teeth) is destroyed. But how does it get destroyed despite regular brushing you ask? Simple. Our mouths harbor hundreds of different varieties of bacteria—some good, some bad. These bacteria use starch and sugar present in food to produce acid that wears off the enamel, thereby ushering in the process of decay that eventually leads to a cavity.

While most commercial toothpastes use fluoride as a means to beat this decay, another effective solution to this is right inside you in the form of your saliva. Saliva helps fight tooth decay by preventing the buildup of acid and giving your teeth time to repair themselves. Miswak has been known to increase the formation of saliva in the mouth without the need for any commercial enhancers or additives, thus naturally fighting tooth decay.

Additionally, using Miswak helps strengthen teeth enamel thanks to the sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and calcium oxide present in Miswak, thereby promoting tooth whitening too.

2. Protects Against Tartar And Plaque

Did you know that plaque is building up in your mouth as you read this? (No, don’t rush to rinse now, breathe).

Surprisingly enough, the formation of plaque is a common process. Plaque is what they call the colorless film of bacteria that forms on the teeth and gums as the bacteria grow and multiply. But while regular brushing can easily remove plaque, its build-up leads to the formation of ‘tartar’—a visible yellow coloration that sticks to the teeth and gums and may cause gum disease and tooth loss in the future.

The easiest way to prevent the buildup of tartar and plaque, and thereby prevent gum disease and tooth loss, is to brush regularly and in the right manner. Miswak being the ‘toothbrush twig’ helps here thanks to its antibacterial property that prevents the bacteria from accumulating on the teeth and gums.

3. Removes Malodor

Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, is an indicator of a multitude of dental issues. Starting from eating particularly strong foods, to gum disease, and dental cavities, bad breath is a clear warning that things are not how they should be within your mouth. A lack of the production of saliva can lead to malodor too.

Considering how there isn’t one certain cause for bad breath, an all-in-one solution can go a long way in treating this condition. Miswak’s strong antibacterial activity along with its property of enhancing saliva production in the mouth, are an effective remedy for bad breath. Additionally, since it is a naturally occurring substance, using the twig releases certain compounds that create a mild fragrance that is peculiar to Miswak.

4. Fights Harmful Bacteria And Germs

The human mouth harbors no less than 700 different strains of bacteria, not all of which are harmful. While most of the bacteria present in the mouth aid in the breakdown of food, and in many cases even help maintain healthy teeth and gums, some bacteria are bad bacteria that actively destroy the teeth and gums. Dental cavities, tartar, gum disease and periodontitis—a painful condition affecting the gums and jaw bone—are all related to bacteria residing in the mouth.

In numerous studies conducted by the World Health Organization, and other independent research groups, Miswak has been shown to contain a number of active antibacterial compounds that actively fight bacterial growth in the mouth. Also, people using Miswak on a regular basis were seen to suffer from lesser instances of oral hygiene issues than those who didn’t/used regular toothpastes and tooth powders.

4. Protects And Strengthens The Gums

Here’s a pro tip—if you’re worried about whether or not your oral health is in good shape, look at your gums. The gums are the soft tissue that surrounds the teeth and help keep them in good condition. And as such, any condition affecting the teeth is manifested in the gums too.

Plaque build up affects the gums, just as it affects the teeth. The development of plaque into tartar can affect the gums and teeth in three different ways, namely Gingivitis, Periodontitis and Advanced Periodontitis. Most of us might have experienced the sharp pain on having something too cold or hot once in a while. However, if this is a regular occurrence and is accompanied by swelling and inflammation of the gums, the condition is called Gingivitis and needs immediate attention and treatment. Untreated gingivitis with a further buildup of tartar affects the underlying bone structure causes gums to recede, dentures to change, and teeth to be lost eventually—a painful, irreversible condition known as advanced periodontitis.

By helping to prevent the formation of plaque, and the subsequent tartar accumulation, Miswak significantly reduces the chances of gingivitis and periodontitiskeeping your gums healthy, and you happy, all through.

5. Anticarcinogenic And Analgesic

Apart from benefits of miswak in oral hygiene and health, It has certain therapeutic effects to recommend its use too. Antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase, catalase, and polyphenoloxidase present in Miswak are said to have anti-carcinogenic properties, that is, they help prevent cancer. While it is yet to be established how effective Miswak is at fighting cancer that already exists in the body, its use as a preventive measure has been established via research.

Additionally, the active ingredients present in Miswak have analgesic, or pain relieving, properties that help deal with inflammation and pain, especially in the gums.

When was the last time a toothbrush could claim this?

6. Refreshing aftertaste

A key benefit of using Miswak has been its refreshing aftertaste and fragrance. Packed with a whole load of naturally occurring volatile aromatic compounds, using Miswak promotes a feeling of cleanliness and pleasant breath that is comparable to that of any commercially available mouthwash.

7. Affordable and effective

It often stuns many first time users about how affordable and effective Miswak is. Whether you choose to use it in its original ‘toothbrush twig’ form or use formulations made from the Salvadora persica (Miswak) tree, the cost of using Miswak is substantially lower than most commercially available products. Also, considering how Miswak functions as a toothpaste-toothbrush-mouthwash all-in-one, the cost benefits of this can surely not be overlooked.

Additionally, one look at the Miswak twig is enough for anyone to get an idea as to where toothbrush manufacturers get their inspiration from. With a multitude of natural fibers acting as ‘bristles’, the Miswak twig reaches every corner and nook of the mouth for an effective cleanse.

Now, you know the best benefits of miswak, learn how to do miswak in the next segment.

How To Use Miswak Stick?

Miswak can either be used as a standalone, or as an adjunct to your regular toothbrush and toothpaste. To use Miswak effectively, keep these in mind.

To start, trim or chew off one end of your Miswak twig.

Continue chewing from this end till the twig becomes soft and forms bristles at the center. To enhance this process, you could moisten the twig by dipping it in water.

Once you see individual fibers resembling ‘bristles’, brush your teeth using the twig, as you would with a regular toothbrush. Remember to not use any toothpaste though.

Trim or chew further up for fresh bristles whenever the existing ones are exhausted.

So, this was about how to use a miswak, now let’s look into its medicinal uses of miswak.

Medicinal uses of other parts of Miswak (Salvadora persica)

While the Salvadora persica tree is most famous for its ‘toothbrush twigs’, other parts of the tree are just as useful too. Here’s a quick look at them.

Leaves—The leaves of Salvadora are consumed in the Middle East and Africa due to their astringent properties that are said to aid in digestion and metabolism. The active ingredients present in Salvadora have analgesic and diuretic properties, enabling its use in traditional treatments for piles, rheumatism, and skin inflammation.

Fruits—A sweet alternative to the bitter leaves, the fruits too have diuretic properties, and are used in the treatment of stomach and liver ailments.

Bark—Bark derived from the stem and roots is different, and as such has different properties and uses. Stem bark from Salvadora helps create a decoction used in regularizing menstruation in women. Additionally, it also treats epilepsy, stomach ulcers, and skin problems. A paste of the root bark is used for the treatment of gonorrhea.

Seeds—Similar to the leaves, the Salvadora seeds too are used in treating rheumatism and skin inflammation. They are also used as purgatives and diuretics.

Essential oils—Used as insect and tick repellent.

Other Common Names Of Miswak

Miswak tree has many different names across different cultures. Miswak is commonly referred to as siwak, sewak and miswaak. However, since its usage is spread across different regions, namely North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent, it goes by different names according to the region, such as.

Arak- Arabic

Qesam- Hebrew

Qisa- Aramaic

Mastic- Latin

Koyoji- Japanese, etcetera.

As one could see, the effect of Salvadora persica extract (miswak) on oral health. Miswak definitely has a lot going for it. From protecting your gums, whitening your teeth, preventing tooth decay and cavities, to anti-cancer effects.

THE USE OF ACTIVATED CHARCOAL POWDER OR TOOTHPASTE

So, unless you have been living under a rock for the last few years, you have probably heard a little something about Activated Charcoal, specifically Charcoal Tooth Powder. It's all the rage on social media and has been praised for its natural whitening abilities. The majority of people probably think that this "new" trend, just hit the scene. But the truth of the matter is that Activated Charcoal has been around for ages, literally thousands of years. In fact, It's usage dates all the way back to 1500 BC in Ancient Egypt, . There are a multitude of health/medicinal benefits to using Activated Charcoal, but let's first explore how it can specifically benefit your oral care regimen.

1. Activated charcoal is a natural whitener.

If you have tea, berry, wine, or coffee stains on your teeth, activated charcoal may help to remove them. Plaque and minute particles will bind to the charcoal as well as help fight bad breath and gum disease.

Natural Whitening, with Activated Charcoal Tooth Powder

2. Re-mineralize and Strengthen your teeth Naturally

So, did you grow up hearing all about how Fluoride makes your teeth stronger? Helps to harden your enamel? Well the jury is still out on Fluoride's safety and what role it truly plays in your oral health. But one thing we do know, is that it is a known toxin, and has been linked to many serious adverse health conditions including: tooth discoloration and lowered IQ in children, skin rashes, mouth lesions, cancer, bone weakness, and an impaired immune system, just to name a few. So how else can you strengthen your teeth and prevent tooth decay? Using activated charcoal, you will be adding over 27 trace minerals back into your teeth to help keep them healthy and strong and fluoride free. "Tooth decay is caused by acids in your mouth, typically created from sugar being metabolized by bacteria (Streptococcus mutans), and as you may already know, the number one source of calories in the United States is high fructose corn syrup. The acid produced then attacks your enamel. Eventually the bacteria can get into the dentin, at which point tooth decay sets in."Activated charcoal helps to detoxify your mouth and keep your PH levels balanced. So essentially, it has alkalizing benefits and helps to turn your acidic mouth into a place where the bacteria can not thrive and continue to multiply, leading to cavities, infections, and eventually tooth decay.

3.Clean and Polish your Teeth

So, you spend all this money on healthy, organic, food/drinks and staying on top of your health, yet you are brushing your teeth at least twice daily (hopefully) and essentially putting gobs of chemical filled toothpaste down your throat. Avoid Fluoride, Glycerin and a whole slew of other harmful, toxic ingredients, and poisons found in traditional toothpastes.

How To Use Charcoal to Whiten Teeth

Dip a clean, wet toothbrush into the powdered charcoal (or dump a capsule of charcoal on the toothbrush). Lean over the container of charcoal and quickly put the charcoal covered toothbrush in the mouth (this is to protect your sink). Brush in small, gentle circles for 2 minutes, spit carefully and rinse really well.

Your mouth will feel amazingly clean…. your sink, not so much! Use as often as needed. Readers have also reported mixing the charcoal with water and swishing with it for two minutes.

We hope these 3 methods of maintaining your radiant smile and oral health were informative.

Keep Smiling!