Essential oils have been used for centuries to support overall health and wellbeing. However, did you know these potent plant extracts can also benefit your oral health? From fighting bad breath to reducing gum inflammation, essential oils are nature’s solution for a clean and healthy mouth.
Essential Oils for Oral Health
Essential oils are concentrated extracts derived from the roots, leaves, flowers, and bark of plants. Known for their therapeutic benefits, these aromatic oils were prized in ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Indian medicine for supporting whole-body health [1]. However, essential oils aren’t just for overall wellness – they can also be used to enhance your oral hygiene.
Brief History of Essential Oils in Oral Health
The use of botanical extracts for oral health can be traced back over 7500 years to ancient Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic practices in India [2]. Herbal rinses, pastes, and powders were traditionally used for cleaning teeth and gums while freshening breath. Plant oils like clove, cinnamon, thyme, oregano, and peppermint were among the most popular. Today, these historically prized essential oils continue to be valued for dental and oral care.
The Importance of Oral Health
Oral health is about more than just an attractive smile. Poor oral hygiene allows harmful bacteria to proliferate, raising your risk for serious health issues like [3]:
- Tooth decay and cavities
- Gingivitis – inflammation of the gums
- Periodontitis – inflammation affecting tooth sockets and ligaments
- Oral infections that spread to other parts of the body
Practicing good oral care is key in preventing these problems. This involves brushing and flossing daily alongside professional cleanings. Essential oils enhance your oral hygiene efforts with their antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Used properly, they are a safe and natural way to achieve better oral wellbeing.
Scientific Evidence on Essential Oils for Oral Health
Modern research is now confirming what traditional healers have long known – that essential oils can support better oral health:
Antibacterial Effects
Many essential oils contain powerful antibacterial compounds that inhibit the growth of harmful oral bacteria like Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus – the primary causes of cavities and tooth decay [4].
Oils with notable antibacterial effects include:
- Clove
- Cinnamon
- Lemon
- Oregano
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Thyme
Antifungal Properties
Certain essential oils also display antifungal effects against Candida albicans – the fungus responsible for oral thrush infections marked by white lesions on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, tonsils or roof of the mouth [5].
The most potent antifungal oils are:
- Clove
- Geranium
- Lavender
- Orange
- Oregano
- Tea tree
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Essential oils rich in antioxidant compounds calm inflammation that can lead to swollen, irritated gums as well as progressive gum disease like gingivitis and periodontitis [6].
Top anti-inflammatory oils include:
- Chamomile
- Eucalyptus
- Lavender
- Myrrh
- Rosemary
Wound Healing
Oils can also accelerate healing of mouth ulcers, canker sores or irritation from oral surgery and dental procedures. Helichrysum and myrrh oils are considered superior for speeding tissue repair [7].
How Do Essential Oils Work?
There are two primary mechanisms behind the oral health benefits of essential oils:
1. Antimicrobial Effects
Essential oils contain a complex array of plant compounds such as polyphenols, terpenes, and aldehydes that work both individually and synergistically to disrupt bacterial, fungal and viral cell membranes and block their spread [8].
2. Anti-Inflammatory Action
Compounds like esters and monoterpenes reduce inflammatory markers that drive periodontal disease progression while also activating receptors in the mouth, brain and gut that mollify inflammatory responses to pathogens [9]. This calms oral inflammation to support gum and dental health.
Practical Applications: Using Essential Oils for Oral Care
There are many easy and practical ways to leverage essential oils at home for better oral health, including:
Oil Pulling
This traditional Ayurvedic technique involves swishing oil in your mouth to draw out toxins and bacteria. Studies verify oil pulling with coconut, sesame or sunflower oils reduces bad breath, plaque buildup and gingivitis [10]. Adding a drop or two of antibacterial essential oils supercharges the benefits.
Mouthwash and Gargles
Essential oils can be diluted into oral rinses to protect teeth and gums. For example, adding a drop of tea tree and peppermint oil into a cup of warm water makes a refreshing homemade mouthwash.
Toothpaste
Mixing a drop of antimicrobial clove, cinnamon or peppermint oil into your regular toothpaste boosts its bacteria-busting abilities. You can also make DIY toothpaste with coconut oil, baking soda and essential oils.
Dental Floss
Rubbing floss with a drop of oregano or peppermint oil infuses it with bacteria-fighting compounds that better clean between teeth and reduce plaque buildup.
Canker Sore Remedy
Dabbing a Q-tip soaked in diluted oregano, clove or thyme oil speeds healing of painful canker sores.
Breath Freshener
Keep a roller bottle filled with peppermint, spearmint and lemon oils handy to freshen breath on the go.
Safety Tips When Using Essential Oils
While extremely beneficial, pure essential oils need to be used with care, especially in the delicate tissues of the mouth. Always follow these precautions:
- Dilute oils properly before use in a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil. Using undiluted oils risks irritation and sensitization.
- Only use very small amounts – 2-3 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil is sufficient.
- Do an allergy test before regular use by dabbing a drop on your arm and watching for reactions.
- Use oils sparingly in children. Their skin and membranes are much more sensitive.
- Discontinue use if any burning, stinging or discomfort develops. Rinse the mouth with coconut oil which encloses irritating compounds.
Specific Essential Oils for Oral Care
Many essential oils support oral health through their cleansing, soothing or healing properties. Here are the top oils for optimal dental care alongside tips for use:
Coconut Oil
Extracted from the meat of fresh coconuts, coconut oil is rich in lauric acid – a beneficial fatty acid proven to reduce plaque bacteria [11]. Lauric acid also has antiviral effects to protect against troublesome mouth infections.
How to Use: Excellent base for oil pulling or making homemade toothpaste and mouthwash.
Oil of Oregano
With strong antibacterial and antifungal compounds like thymol and carvacrol, oregano oil powerfully inhibits oral bacteria and Candida fungal overgrowth [12].
How to Use: Add 1 drop per 1⁄2 cup warm water for an antiseptic oregano mouth rinse. Can also infuse dental floss.
Tea Tree Oil
From the Melaleuca alternifolia tree native to Australia, tea tree oil displays broad spectrum antimicrobial effects to control bacteria and viruses responsible for gum disease, cavities and bad breath [13].
How to Use: Mix 2-3 drops into 1⁄2 cup warm water for a bacteria-busting everyday mouthwash.
Clove Oil
The most researched essential oil for oral health, clove is extremely high in eugenol – a compound with potent cleansing and soothing benefits for gums. It tackles harmful oral bacteria while reducing inflammation and pain [14].
How to Use: Mix 1 drop clove oil with a small dab of coconut oil and use as homemade toothpaste. Can also infuse oil pulled coconut oil or mouthwash.
Peppermint Oil
In addition to its crisp flavor, peppermint oil has analgesic and anesthetic effects proven to relieve sensitive or painful teeth and gums. It also displays antibacterial action against periodontal pathogens [15].
How to Use: Add 2-3 drops to toothpaste or mix 1 drop per 1⁄2 cup warm water for a minty oil mouthwash. Can also directly apply to sensitive gums and canker sores undiluted using a Q-tip.
Tackling Common Oral Health Problems
Beyond daily dental care, essential oils can also help resolve many common oral health issues including:
Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Unpleasant smelling breath is most often caused by overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria on the tongue, gums and inner cheeks that produce foul-smelling sulfur compounds [16]. Essential oils can neutralize these odors through their cleansing and antibacterial actions.
Oils to try:
- Peppermint – Its menthol content kills odor-causing bacteria while leaving behind a refreshing scent. Mix 2 drops peppermint oil per ounce of water for a good mouth gargle solution.
- Spearmint – Similar to peppermint, spearmint makes a nice addition to any oral rinse. It tackles bad breath while calming inflammation.
- Cinnamon – Cinnamic aldehyde gives cinnamon its distinctive flavor and odor fighting abilities. Add 1 drop cinnamon oil to your toothbrush when scrubbing your tongue in the morning.
- Lemon – Lemon oil inhibits bacteria growth responsible for bad breath, especially when used alongside antimicrobial partners like peppermint or oregano. Add a drop each lemon and peppermint oils into your mouthwash.
Canker Sores
These small painful ulcers inside the mouth often flare up from nutrient deficiencies, oral trauma or hormonal shifts. Applying diluted antibacterial and anti-inflammatory oils can help canker sores heal faster while providing soothing relief [17].
Oils to try:
- Clove oil – Thanks to its numbing eugenol content, clove oil decreases pain and speeds healing time of canker sores when applied topically with a Q-tip 1-2 times a day.
- Myrrh oil – This resinous oil acts as an astringent to dry out canker sores while accelerating new tissue growth. Use 1 drop diluted myrrh oil directly on sores 2 times daily.
- Lavender oil – This gentle floral oil lessens inflammation and discomfort associated with canker sores. Lavender also fights opportunistic oral bacteria that can delay healing. Use 2-3 drops in warm water for a soothing lavender mouthwash.
Toothaches
Toothaches are often tied to dental caries that allow bacteria to penetrate teeth and infect underlying nerves. Essential oils make excellent natural analgesics to relieve toothache discomfort until professional care is available.
Oils to try [18]:
- Clove oil – Thanks to high eugenol content, clove oil reduces toothache pain when applied topically to affected areas using a cotton swab. Its mild anesthetic effects provide temporary pain relief.
- Peppermint oil – Apply a very small amount of peppermint oil with a Q-tip directly to painful areas for its natural painkilling effects. The cooling menthol compounds act locally to reduce toothache discomfort.
Safety and Precautions
While extremely beneficial, essential oils warrant careful use inside the oral cavity. Always follow these best practices:
- Perform a patch test before initial use to screen for allergies or sensitivity.
- Dilute oils properly in a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil before rinsing in the mouth.
- Use very minor amounts of oil – 1-3 drops per use maximum.
- Avoid accidentally ingesting oils which can irritate the digestive tract.
- Keep oils away from eyes and ears.
- Discontinue use if irritation, discomfort or sensitivity occurs.
- Get clearance from your dentist before using oils if you have dental sealants, crowns, veneers, braces or other appliances inside your mouth.
Additionally, children, pregnant women and seniors should exercise abundant caution before using essential oils orally without medical approval.
Integrating Essential Oils into Daily Oral Care
Here are some tips for seamlessly incorporating essential oils into your normal oral hygiene regimen:
Oil pull first thing – Begin your morning dental routine by swishing a spoonful of coconut oil infused with a drop of clove or peppermint oil for 2-3 minutes to cleanse mouth bacteria.
DIY Toothpaste – Upcycle your normal toothpaste by adding a drop of antimicrobial oregano, cinnamon or tea tree oil before brushing. This amplifies plaque fighting power.
Midday Mouthwash – Freshen breath and remineralize enamel at work by gargling with a mix of warm water, lemon juice and 2 drops peppermint or spearmint oil.
Floss + essential oils – Rub a drop of antibacterial lemon, oregano, thyme or frankincense oil directly onto floss before using to blast bacteria hiding between teeth.
Bedtime Rinse – Wind down at night with a relaxing swish of warm water infused with inflammation-reducing chamomile oil to soothe irritated gums.
Conclusion
Maintaining good oral hygiene is vital for whole body health and wellbeing. Essential oils derived from nature’s pharmacy make excellent additions to any dental care routine thanks to their cleansing, soothing and healing properties. From tackling plaque and gingivitis to resolving common issues like canker sores and tooth pain, these aromatic plant oils keep your mouth clean and comfortable in a safe, natural way.
By following the proper guidelines for diluting and using oils gently inside the oral cavity, you can easily integrate these ancient botanical remedies into your daily dental hygiene. So next time you brush your teeth, upgrade your normal toothpaste and mouthwash with a couple drops of tea tree, clove, peppermint or other therapeutic essential oils for optimal oral wellness.
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