How a Healthy Mouth Helps Fight Colds and Flu

Turmeric, green tea, vitamin C, vitamin D, glutathione, zinc, fulvic acid (among others) are all great ways to boost your immune system, which is essential during cold and flu season. But, did you know that another way to boost your immune system is to make sure you have a healthy mouth?

Here’s why - your immune system only has a limited number of resources (immune cells in the form of antibodies, white blood cells) that can be used to fight infections in the body. If you are fighting infections in your mouth (an overgrowth of bad bacteria, causing decay and inflammation, eg. cavities, gingivitis, periodontal disease) it is engaging your immune system on a regular basis. This means there may be fewer immune cells to fight off cold and flu viruses and you may be more prone to getting sick.

To keep your mouth healthy, and your immune system ready to fight, it is important that your oral care products do the following : 

1. Fight bad bacteria, while balancing the microbiome.  Balancing means keeping the good bacteria around to keep the bad bacteria in check. Ideally, your oral care does more than just fight the bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease, it should fight other pathogens that can cause disease in a weakened system. Ingredients like clays, can not only fight pathogens (eg bad bacteria, viruses) but heavy metals too and anything positively charged (aka the bad guys). Check out Mineral Toothpowder with living clay.

2. Physically remove bad bacteria with floss, a toothbrush and our tongue cleaner. Keep in mind, using a toothbrush to scrub your tongue is not nearly as effective as a tongue cleaner, which removes the bacteria from the tongue and mouth. 


    Tip
    : if you get sick and have a white coated tongue, use our tongue cleaner in the morning and night. This is very helpful especially if you have a sore throat  - follow up with a salt gargle.



    3. Systemically remove toxins and bad bacteria. Oil pulling reaches 100% of your mouth and can reach deeper into the body, assuming you use for 15 minutes or longer.

    4. Increase PH, above 7. Bad bacteria and viruses, thrive in an acidic environment. Your toothpaste or powder, should be closer to 9 or 10 PH. If not, follow brushing with an alkaline rinse using 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 2 ounces of water (or make a larger batch and keep it in the bathroom).

      If you follow our 5 step Oral Care Routine, and Guide to Holistic Oral Health, using our 100% Natural Oral Care, your teeth and gums will stay strong and healthy, and so will your immune system!

      Here’s to your health!