Unlock the Secrets to a Healthier Life Through Oral Care

Did you know oral health care is an important strategy to help prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease, colon cancer, heart disease, and many other chronic diseases? The primary reason why poor oral health seeds disease in other body parts is that certain bacteria in the gums and oral microbiome promote systemic inflammation. 1-3

And while brushing your teeth and flossing are important, there is so much more that you can do! As June is “Oral Health Care Month,” I wanted to stress the importance of practicing good oral hygiene and urge you to use natural oral health products.

What Oral Health Products to Avoid

The problem with most oral care products on the market today is that they contain compounds that are detrimental to the health of gum tissue and the oral microbiome. Here are some ingredients to stay away from:

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a foaming agent can irritate the lining of the mouth.
Parabens are preservatives disrupt the oral microbiome and have also been linked to an increased risk of hormone-related cancers.
Propylene glycol is literally the chemical used in antifreeze for your car.
Chlorhexidine is a toxic powerful antimicrobial that severely disrupts the oral microbiome.
PTFE & PFAS are “forever” chemicals that are linked to numerous health issues. They are most often used to coat dental floss so that it “glides” more easily between teeth.

It just does not make any sense to use these sorts of products as there are better products for you -natural versions that build oral health without containing these sorts of problematic chemicals.

Use Natural Oral Care Products Instead

If you are not already using natural oral care products, please make the switch. Your health could depend upon it. Personally, I use and LOVE the products from Dr. Tung’s.

I discovered this product line when I purchased Dr. Tung’s, Smart Floss. It is PHENOMENAL. It is definitely different and what makes it smart is its plastic-free packaging, cardamon essence, natural plant and bees wax coating, and that it is clinically proven to remove up to 55% more plaque than standard dental floss.

Switching to this dental floss can make a BIG difference in your gum pocket depth scores. The improvements that I experienced led me to switch over to all the Dr. Tung’s oral health care products.

Tung’s Herbal Toothpaste Powder Tabs – Give this approach to clean teeth and fresh breath a try. Simply crush the herbal tablet in your mouth and brush. It will blow you away. Again, it is a different (and better) approach.
Tung’s Tongue Cleaner – The original product from Dr. Tung’s. Designed especially for the tongue, DrTung’s Tongue Cleaner is comfortable, effective, easy to use, made with hygienic stainless steel and last for years. It glides easily glides on the tongue to remove bacteria and debris.
Tung’s Perio Sticks – If you have any crowns, implants, or deep gingival pockets, I highly recommend using these all-natural birch perio sticks.

In addition to these Dr. Tung’s products, I also utilize a water floss and “oil pulling” in my oral health care routine.

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Reduce Systemic Inflammation

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Support Overall Health

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Promote Natural Healing

What is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling is an age-old, revered practice in Ayurvedic medicine to promote oral and systemic health that is gaining in both popularity and scientific validation.⁴ It involves taking approximately one tablespoon of coconut oil, holding it in your mouth and swishing it through your teeth between five and twenty minutes first thing in the morning and at night before brushing the teeth. After the time it is held and swished around in the mouth, the oil is spit out and the teeth can be brushed.

Any edible oil can be used for oil pulling, but for many reasons coconut oil may offer the greatest benefit. Coconut oil has demonstrated significant antimicrobial effects that destroy wide variety of disease-causing organisms. Bacteria inactivated by coconut oil include the bacteria linked to both cavities and gum inflammation. And coconut oil also helps fight the overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans. In one study, researchers found that all Candida species were 100% susceptible to coconut oil.^4,5

Several studies have shown oil pulling with coconut oil in human clinical trials produces changes comparable to chlorhexidine, a popular prescription antimicrobial mouthwash. Results showed an ability to reduce bacterial counts of organisms linked to cavities and gingivitis.^6,7

Chlorhexidine is problematic because side effects are common and include tooth staining, mouth dryness or irritation, an unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth, and allergic reactions. And it severely disrupts the optimal microbial composition of the oral microbiome.

Apparently, coconut works just as well, without the side effects. And if you want an even intensive experience, use Dr. Tung’s Oil Pulling Concentrate. It is a time-tested Ayurvedic remedy of sesame seed oil and 24 herbs used for oil pulling.

The Impact of Oral Health on Overall Wellness

Did you know that maintaining good oral hygiene can reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 20%?

The Link Between Oral Health and Alzheimer’s Disease

Let me share some compelling research to highlight the importance of making oral health a priority. Researchers have found that 96% of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease have in their brain enzymes known as gingipains produced by the main bacteria involved in gum disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis.³

When dental plaque builds under the edge of your gums, it can form inflamed pockets in which P. gingivalis can thrive and release toxins and gingipains that can damage the lining of your gums and make it possible for P. gingivalis and other oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream and then the brain.

P. gingivalis gum disease leads to amyloid production, tangles of tau protein and neural damage in the regions and nerves normally affected by AD. Similar inflammatory processes are responsible for other health conditions like heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.

Conclusion:

Oral health is critically important to your health, so work hard to take care of your teeth and gums. It is worth the effort!

Enhance Your Oral Health Naturally

Discover the transformative power of natural oral health products and elevate your oral hygiene routine. By choosing natural solutions, you not only protect your teeth and gums but also contribute to your overall well-being. Join us in embracing a holistic approach to oral care and take the first step towards a healthier future.

References:

Deng L, Guan G, Cannon RD, Mei L. Age-related oral microbiota dysbiosis and systemic diseases. Microb Pathog. 2025 May 20;205:107717.
Lund Håheim AL. Oral anaerobe bacteria-a common risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality and some forms of cancer? Front Oral Health. 2024 Apr 24;5:1348946.
Shawkatova I, Durmanova V, Javor J. Alzheimer’s Disease and Porphyromonas gingivalis: Exploring the Links. Life (Basel). 2025 Jan 14;15(1):96.
Shanbhag VK. Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene – A review. J Tradit Complement Med. 2016 Jun 6;7(1):106-109.
Peedikayil FC, Sreenivasan P, Narayanan A. Effect of coconut oil in plaque related gingivitis – A preliminary report. Niger Med J. 2015 Mar-Apr;56(2):143-7.
Ogbolu DO, Oni AA, Daini OA, Oloko AP. In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria. J Med Food. 2007 Jun;10(2):384-7.
Kaushik M, Reddy P, Sharma R, et al. The Effect of Coconut Oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans Count in Saliva in Comparison with Chlorhexidine Mouthwash. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2016 Jan 1;17(1):38-41.