Let's Talk Natural Health: KISSABLY CLEAN

Hola Chicas/Chicos...I pray everyone is naturally healthy!!

Okay, so let's touch on a subject of ORAL HYGIENE. Now, I'm sure many of us try to stick to the brushing after every meal, or at least twice per day. So, let's focus on the importance of oral hygiene and how it relates to our overall natural health.

Importance of Good Oral Hygiene:

• Good oral hygiene is critical for overall health because bacteria from mouth can travel to other parts of the body. In fact, oral bacteria have been linked to such conditions as osteoporosis, obesity, heart conditions and atherosclerosis (when artery walls thicken due to fatty buildup), as well as certain types of cancer.
• The mouth, with all of its crevices, pockets and hiding places, can provide refuge for bacteria (nasty nasty germs) that may be causing problems in other parts of the body, so be sure to make good use of your floss, toothbrush and gum scraper.
• Halitosis: is typically caused by poor dental hygiene. However, other factors may be involved, including gum disease, tooth decay, heavy metal buildup, infection of the respiratory tract (throat, nose, lungs and windpipe),improper diet, constipation,smoking, fever, diabetes, foreign bacteria in the mouth, indigestion, inadequate protein digestion, liver or kidney malfunction, postnasal drip, stress and too much unfriendly bacteria in the colon. Dieting, alcohol abuse or fasting (due to lack of food which causes the body to breakdown stored fat and protein for fuel) can cause bad breath as well. I will do a full future post on Halitosis soon.

Nature Knows Best

• Your daily dental regimen should include products that contain natural ingredients that promote teeth and gum health. Just as bacteria from our mouths can travel into our bodies, so can harsh chemicals that are found in many non natural toothpastes, and some that claim to be natural, leak into our bodies..many of which are carcinogens (cancer causing agents).
• Look for toothpastes with natural ingredients such as goldenseal, echinacea, grapefruit seed extract, or neem. These are all antibacterial botanicals that are used in various oral care applications.
• Natural toothpastes that contain the natural sugar 'xylitol' is recommended. Natural toothpastes that contain sweet goodies such as, raspberries, strawberries or blueberries are super beneficial. These fruit contain the natural sugar xylitol, which is a low glycemic natural sweetner with an ability to inhibit bacterial growth and prevent cavities.
• Try to look for flosses that contain tea tree, cranberry, myrrh or green tea. These safeguard your mouth against plaque and bacteria.
• Herbs such as, aloe vera and calendula have anti-inflammatory properties that are useful for protecting gums.
• Natural toothpastes that contain wonderful ingredients like 'anise' are excellent for combating bad breath. Anise is in the parsley family, and parsley is one of the recommended helpful items to chew on in situations of oral diseases such halitosis.
• Please steer clear of toothpastes that claim to be natural that contain sulfates such as, sodium lauryl sulfate, and the likes. I mean, simple shampooing with sodium lauryl sulfate can put as many nitrates into your body as if you ate a pound of bacon...so imagine them going directly into your mouth (and these are products approved by the FDA) colgate, crest, aquafresh, toms(which claims to be natural), etc contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Flouride is another harmful ingredient to limit exposure to. In the early 1900s, it was used as a rat poison. It may contain lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic. It also accumulates in the body and can cause bone disease. And last, but not least, many commercial toothpastes contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and neurotoxin that can be fatal if swallowed, absorbed through skin or inhaled.

Excellent Natural Toothpastes

• Nature's Gate Mint (not the gel)
• Jasons (not the gel)
• Healthy Mouth
• Organique by Himalaya 
• Desert Essence

Remember..oral hygiene is extremely important. Become Kissaby Clean the O'Natural way..
These toothpastes can be found at any health food store or herb shop



credits: some info found at www.squidoo.com/natural-toothpastes
by Emily Bragonier in Remedies for Life January 2011