Natural Oral Healthcare by Dylan Parry, BSc Hons Clinical Herbalism.

Natural Oral Healthcare & our Webinars!

This month’s blog will explore the theme of oral health, to coincide with the series of webinars " Natural Perspectives in Oral Healthcare" which Nature’s Laboratory, in conjunction with the British Homeopathic Dental Association, are hosting over the next up and coming months. There's more information on these webinars & a link to book tickets at the end of this blog.

Oral Health links to Overall Good Health

Oral health is very important to ensure overall good health, as the mouth is the initiation point of your digestive system - the entry way of our food! If our oral health is disrupted it can cause numerous unpleasant symptoms, such as bad breath, sore and bleeding gums, toothache etc… Not pleasant!

Herbal Tips for Good Oral Health

Therefore, what daily practices can we do to upkeep our oral health and wellbeing? In this blog, I aim to give you some herbal tips and tricks to help keep your oral health up to standard. However, I think it will be best to understand the oral microbiome first.

The oral microbiome

The mouth, also known as the oral cavity, has the second largest and diverse range of microbiota after the gut, as it harbours approximately 700 species of bacteria. The mouth contains lots of different microorganisms, which include bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses. The mouth is a complex habitat where microbes colonise the soft tissues of the oral mucosa and the hard surfaces of the teeth.

 The development and progression towards disease and the maintenance of health is hugely influenced by the microbiota. The oral microbiome usually exists as a biofilm, which is a complex colony of microbes, which attaches to a surface with a slime layer that aids in protecting the microorganisms. Keeping a good and healthy balance of these microbes is very important to ensuring good oral health but also preventing systemic disease.

A few localised conditions associated with poor oral health

There is a huge array of different conditions, which can affect the oral cavity, and which can influence the beginning of systemic illnesses, via having poor oral health. Here is a brief list of a few main localised conditions, which can be caused or influenced by poor oral health.

Dental cavities:  The most commonly thought of localised health condition is dental cavities, as specific build-ups of microbiota, such as in dental plaque can influence the degradation of dental hard tissue and cause cavities.

Gum Diseases: Gum diseases, otherwise known as periodontal disease, are another form of health issues which can occur in the mouth. Periodontal disease is characterised by inflammation of the gums, causing swollen, sore, bleeding and recessing gums.

Oral thrush (Oral candidiasis): Oral thrush is a condition in which the fungus Candida albicans builds up in the mouth. It causes white patches and pain in the mouth, as well as causing an unpleasant taste in the mouth and affecting your own taste.

Dental abscess: A dental abscess is a localised bacterial infection, in which pus builds up in a tooth, gum or the jawbone. The infection can affect the surrounding tissues and cause severe pain, bad breath and even fever if the infection progresses. A tooth abscess is serious and will need appropriate treatment.

 What can contribute to poor oral health?

1. Poor Oral Hygiene: Not brushing and flossing regularly can lead to plaque buildup, which can cause cavities, bad breath and gum disease.
2. Diet: A diet high in sugary or acidic foods and drinks can contribute to tooth decay and enamel erosion.
3. Tobacco Use: Smoking or using smokeless tobacco increases the risk of gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer.
4. Lack of Regular Dental Visits: Skipping regular checkups and cleanings can prevent early detection of problems like cavities, gum disease, and oral cancers.
5. Dry Mouth: Conditions or medications that reduce saliva flow can cause dry mouth, which leads to difficulty cleaning the mouth and increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
6. Medical Conditions: Some conditions, like diabetes, can increase the risk of gum disease and other oral health issues.
7. Genetics: Some people may be more prone to oral health problems such as being at a higher risk of gum disease or cavities, due to their genetic makeup.
8. Teeth Grinding: Bruxism (teeth grinding) can wear down tooth enamel, cause tooth sensitivity, and lead to jaw problems.
9. Medication Side Effects: Some medications can cause dry mouth or other oral health issues as side effects.

Practices to increase oral health:

Here a few practices, which you can implement into your daily routine to help keep bacteria at bay and maintain good oral health!

1)  Brush Twice a Day: Brush your teeth at least twice daily, preferably in the morning and before bed. Use a toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging your enamel and gums.

2) Floss Daily: Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque between teeth, where a toothbrush might not reach and helps to remove built up plaque.

3) Regular Dental Check-ups: Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings, exams, and early detection of potential issues, such as cavities or gum diseases before they become serious.

4) Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help maintain saliva production, which helps neutralise acids and wash away food particles in the mouth.

5) Eat a Balanced Diet: Limit sugary foods and drinks, as they contribute to tooth decay. Swap out the ‘junk food’ with more natural foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Foods high in calcium, such as dairy products and dark green leafy vegetables, can also help to maintain teeth health.

6) Limit Acidic and Sugary Drinks: Acidic drinks (like fizzy pop, citrus juices or energy drinks) can erode tooth enamel, and sugary drinks can feed bacteria that cause cavities. Try and drink water, herbal teas or other non-acidic drinks.

7) Avoid Tobacco: Smoking and using smokeless tobacco increase your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. Quitting can significantly improve your oral health.

8) Protect Your Teeth from Injury: If you play sports or grind your teeth at night, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth from damage.

 9) Use a Tongue Scraper: The tongue can harbour bacteria that contribute to bad breath and oral health issues. Gently scrape your tongue or use a toothbrush to clean it.

Oil pulling and cloves to help increase your oral health:

I will briefly touch upon cloves, which can help to increase your oral health, as I am presenting a webinar in May about herbal medicine and oral health, in which you can find out much more about the use of herbs to improve your oral health, check out details at the end of this blog.

Oil pulling: Oil pulling is the method of vigorously swishing oil around the mouth. It has been used for centuries, and is attributed as an ayurvedic medicine, which is a traditional medicine system from India. Oil pulling is beneficial for killing bacteria in the mouth and in turn helps to reduce bad breath. It has also been shown to help reduce inflammation of the gums and help reduce the occurrence of gum disease.

Clove-infused coconut oil recipe:

The type of oil I like to use is coconut oil, as it has been shown to have antibacterial activity. Cloves are very antibacterial and pain relieving, due to their Eugenol constituent. Eugenol has also been shown to reduce inflammation, which is beneficial in inflamed gums.

 Therefore, infusing cloves into coconut oil is very beneficial for enhancing the antimicrobial effects of the coconut oil, which can help to get rid of bacterial overgrowth in the mouth. It also helps where there is pain and inflammation too.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of virgin coconut oil (preferably organic)
• 5-10 whole cloves (you can adjust based on preference)
• A small jar or container for storage

Instructions:

1. Melt the Coconut Oil:
• If your coconut oil is solid, gently melt it. You can do this by placing it in a heatproof bowl and warming it over a double boiler (or in a microwave for a few seconds).
2. Infuse the Cloves:
• Once the coconut oil is melted and in its liquid form, add the whole cloves to the oil.
• Place the bowl in a warm spot or gently heat it over a low flame for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the clove flavour infuses into the oil.
• Be careful not to overheat the oil, as you want it to be warm but not too hot to preserve the beneficial properties of the coconut oil and clove.
3. Let it Cool:
• After about 10-15 minutes of heating, remove the oil from the heat and let it cool down to room temperature.
• You’ll notice the oil may solidify as it cools, which is perfectly fine.
4. Strain the Oil (optional):
• Once the oil has cooled, you can strain it through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the cloves if you prefer a smoother texture. However, some people leave the cloves in for added potency.
5. Store:
• Transfer the infused coconut oil into a small, airtight jar or container for easy use.
• Store it in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator if you'd like it to stay solid. It should last for several weeks.

How to Use for Oil Pulling:

1. Take 1-2 teaspoons of the clove-infused coconut oil.
2. Swish it around your mouth for 10-20 minutes (do not swallow the oil). You can do this in the morning before eating or drinking.
3. Spit it out into the bin (not the sink, as oil can clog drains).
4. Rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth as usual.

You can use this clove-infused coconut oil for oil pulling daily to help maintain oral hygiene and benefit from the antimicrobial properties of both cloves and coconut oil!

Thank you for reading!

Why not book tickets for our webinar series "Natural Oral Health Perspectives"?

If you are interested in improving your oral health naturally – then please have a look at Nature’s Laboratory and the British Homeopathic Dental Association’s series of webinars "Natural Oral Health Perspectives" beginning in March and continuing over the next few months:

Please see below the webinar schedule – you can purchase a ticket to watch all of them or purchase single tickets to watch individuals!

Friday 14^th of March – Integrating Homeopathy into dental care with Dr. Samantha Jugdev

Friday 4^th of April – The Significance of the Oral Microbiome with Liz Cooper

Friday 9^th of May – Herbal Medicine and Oral Health with Dylan Parry

20^th of June – Propolis and Oral Health with James Fearnley

19^th of September – The Use of Propolis in Oral Healthcare with Dr. Munir Ravalia

Book your tickets Here!

Reference list

Bamford, N.C., MacPhee, C.E. and Stanley‐Wall, N.R. (2023). Microbial Primer: an Introduction to Biofilms – What They are, Why They Form and Their Impact on Built and Natural Environments. Microbiology, [online] 169(8). doi:https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.001338.

Deo, P.N. and Deshmukh, R. (2019). Oral microbiome: Unveiling the Fundamentals. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology : JOMFP, [online] 23(1), pp.122–128. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/jomfp.JOMFP_304_18.

Gao, L., Xu, T., Huang, G., Jiang, S., Gu, Y. and Chen, F. (2018). Oral microbiomes: More and More Importance in Oral Cavity and Whole Body. Protein & Cell, [online] 9(5), pp.488–500. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13238-018-0548-1.

Kaur, D. and Chandrul , K.K. (2025). View of Syzygium aromaticum L. (Clove): A vital herbal drug used in periodontal disease. [online] Ijpbr.in. Available at: https://www.ijpbr.in/index.php/IJPBR/article/view/672/566 [Accessed 27 Feb. 2025].

Naseem, M., Muhammad Faheem Khiyani, Nauman, H., Zafar, M.S., Shah, A.H. and Khalil, H.S. (2017). Oil Pulling and Importance of Traditional Medicine in Oral Health Maintenance. International Journal of Health Sciences, [online] 11(4), p.65. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5654187/.

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (2020). Oral Hygiene. [online] www.nidcr.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene.

NHS Choices (2020). Oral thrush (mouth thrush). [online] NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/oral-thrush-mouth-thrush/.

Stana, A., Lile, I.E., V. Dancea, Vaida, L., Stana, O.L., R. Fluieras, Popovici, R.A., Marian, D., I. Ilyes, A. Berari and T. Hosszu (2023). The impact of good oral habits. Medicine in Evolution, [online] 29(4), pp.573–581. doi:https://doi.org/10.70921/medev.v29i4.988.

Tenelanda-López, D., Valdivia-Moral, P. and Castro-Sánchez, M. (2020). Eating Habits and Their Relationship to Oral Health. Nutrients, 12(9), p.2619. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092619.