Cavities that keep coming back, tender gums? Lemon, used in small amounts and as an infused oil, is a natural remedy to strengthen the gums and freshen the breath — as long as you hold to a strict rhythm, since its acidity can wear at the enamel when used too often.
Why do cavities appear?
Good dental hygiene is not always enough to keep cavities away. Foods that cling to the teeth — dairy, dried fruit, cakes, biscuits — encourage them more than others do. Snacking through the day, drinking acidic drinks, living with an eating disorder, heartburn or a dry mouth all raise the risk as well. Age plays its part too: the younger you are, the higher the risk.
One ingredient is all it takes for an effective natural remedy: lemon essential oil.
How does lemon protect the gums and the enamel?
Lemon is a good remedy against receding gums, whose new tissue it helps grow. Its fresh scent also keeps bad breath at bay. Frequent use is best avoided, though: its natural acidity wears at tooth enamel over time. Keep it to one application a week. You can also swap the pure essential oil for a gentler homemade oil, a blend of olive oil and lemon.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- The juice of 1 fresh lemon
Method
- Pour the oil into a jar with a lid.
- Add the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon.
- Close the jar with its lid.
- Shake it well and leave the jar somewhere cool and dark for three weeks, so the oil takes on the benefits of the lemon.
- Shake the mixture every day.
- After those three weeks, use the blend for your oral care.
How to use it
- Take a small amount of the lemon oil on your finger or a toothbrush.
- Massage your gums gently for a few minutes.
- Use this treatment once a week, never more than twice.
