Most of us think of oral care as a two-minute task, twice a day. We brush, maybe we floss, and we move on. But if we view our mouth as the gateway to the rest of the body—a complex ecosystem that reflects our overall wellness—it becomes clear that true oral health extends far beyond the bristles of our toothbrush.

As a formulation scientist focused on natural medicine, I encourage people to think about oral care as a practice, not a chore. While the right toothpaste is your most powerful tool, several other natural methods can amplify its effects, creating a truly resilient and healthy oral environment. Let's explore a few of these time-tested practices.

1. The Ancient Practice of Oil Pulling

Long before modern dentistry, ancient Ayurvedic practitioners used oil pulling to cleanse the mouth. The practice is simple: you swish a tablespoon of oil—typically coconut, sesame, or sunflower—in your mouth for 10-20 minutes on an empty stomach before brushing.

The Science Behind It: The theory is that the lipid (fat) structure of the oil attracts the lipid cell membranes of harmful bacteria, essentially pulling them from their hiding spots. As you swish, the oil emulsifies, trapping these microbes so they can be spit out. For this reason, coconut oil is a particularly popular choice, as it is naturally rich in lauric acid—the very building block of the monolaurin I work with in my lab. It’s a gentle way to help reduce the overall bacterial load without disrupting the oral microbiome.

2. The Importance of Tongue Scraping

If you're serious about fighting bad breath, tongue scraping is non-negotiable. Your tongue is covered in tiny papillae that can trap food particles and bacteria, creating a thick biofilm that is a primary source of Volatile Sulfur Compounds (the gases that cause bad breath).

Using a U-shaped tongue scraper each morning removes this coating far more effectively than a toothbrush. By physically debriding this biofilm, you're removing the bacterial fortress that contributes to bad breath and poor oral health, creating a cleaner slate for the rest of your oral care routine.

3. Your Diet: The First Line of Defense

What you eat has a direct and immediate impact on your oral health. Every meal can either feed the harmful bacteria or help support a healthy balance.

• Limit Sugars and Refined Carbohydrates: These are the preferred fuel source for the acid-producing bacteria that cause cavities.
• Embrace Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables: Foods like apples, carrots, and celery have a fibrous texture that can help scrub plaque from your teeth as you chew.
• Stay Hydrated: Water is essential for producing saliva. Saliva is your body’s natural defense system—it neutralizes acids, delivers essential minerals to your enamel, and washes away food debris. A dry mouth is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

A Comprehensive Approach to Wellness

Think of these practices as a support system for your daily brushing. When you brush with an advanced, biofilm-disrupting toothpaste like the one we’ve engineered with XyloCidin™, you are doing the heavy lifting of dismantling bacterial strongholds.

Oil pulling, tongue scraping, and a mindful diet help maintain that clean environment throughout the day. They work in synergy, creating a holistic system that supports oral health from every angle. This is how you move from simply cleaning your teeth to cultivating lasting oral wellness.

To your health,
Dr. Ryan Jones
Head Formulator, Lauricidin® Toothpaste