by Mary Ellen Burley

Created on: November 21, 2008

Fresh breath, white teeth, and healthy gums are the results everyone wants from their oral care routine. All the products on the market promise this (and more). Using commercial oral care products may actually be counterproductive, but that's a discussion for another day.

Let's start with healthy gums, the foundation of good oral health. To keep your gums healthy and stop the growth of bacteria, brush your gums with cayenne. Yes, the pepper that you use to season your food! Sprinkle cayenne on your toothbrush (a soft one please) and gently brush your gums. The cayenne will stimulate blood flow and carry away harmful bacteria. You'll be able to tell that it is needed if you feel a tingling in your gums. If your gums bleed when you are brushing your teeth, use cayenne daily until they top bleeding; then use it periodically to keep your gums healthy and pink.

To brush your teeth, mix baking soda with salt and brush your teeth with a dab of the mixture on your toothbrush. The baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent and the salt adds the slight abrasion needed to "scrub" away stains. It leaves your teeth feeling smooth and fresh.

To freshen your breath, swish some hydrogen peroxide in your mouth for a minute. The foaming action sends those scrubbing bubbles to all the crevices and washes away hidden food particles that attract bacteria and cause odor. And it won't dry out your mouth like the alcohol in commercial products does.

Your dental medicine chest needs the addition of one more product clove oil, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. When you get a toothache, soak a cotton swab in the clove oil and rub it on the aching area for immediate relief. This symptom is also a warning that your cleaning and brushing regimen needs some change.

One of the best oral care products that you have at home is a kitchen timer. Take it in the bathroom and time yourself brushing your teeth. Make sure you are brushing for at least 2 minutes (30 seconds per quadrant). Brush the outside of your bottom teeth for 30 seconds, then the inside of the bottom teeth for 30 seconds and move to the outside top and inside top for 30 second each to complete the 2 minute routine. Then set the timer for one minute and swish the hydrogen peroxide around for the entire minute. Repeat with another minute of rinsing for added benefit. Three minutes three times a day will keep that toothache way!

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