Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits for a Healthy Smile
Apple cider vinegar may not be the first ingredient to come to mind when you think of dental care, but you may be surprised to learn of its many benefits. Like any home remedy, this isn’t a replacement for going to the dentist; however, it can support your oral health while you search for the best dentist in Mesa, AZ, or your particular location. You may even be making your dentist’s job a bit easier!
Reducing Bad Breath
With high levels of malic and acetic acid, apple cider vinegar can help fight bad breath. In addition to creating an environment that’s inhospitable to bacteria, those apple cider vinegar gummies can improve digestion, supporting your digestive system as it breaks down food and reduces the chance of indigestion-induced bad breath. Some sources recommend drinking a diluted apple cider vinegar solution to reap benefits like this, but ultimately, you should consider the pros and cons of each format and consult a medical professional before adding this or any other supplements to your wellness routine.
Preventing Gingivitis
A common form of gum or periodontal disease, gingivitis is a relatively mild condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the gums, specifically the gingiva, which is located at the base of your teeth. It’s important to seek appropriate dental services for treatment, but apple cider vinegar is a traditional remedy used to alleviate the symptoms of this disease. The vinegar’s mild acidity helps balance the mouth’s pH while reducing swelling and easing the infection.
Whitening Teeth
Once again, apple cider vinegar’s acidity comes with dental benefits. These acids help to break down plaque buildup, which is a contributing factor to discoloration. At the same time, apple cider vinegar offers a deep clean, helping to remove bacteria and similar elements that may affect the whiteness of your teeth. As with other ACV remedies, it’s important to use the right format, dosage, and dilution for your needs—when in doubt, confer with a health care provider.
Eliminating Bacteria
Many of these benefits are based on the ability of apple cider vinegar to reduce bacteria in the mouth and teeth. This remedy is often taken advantage of with a mouth rinse, using an ACV solution as a natural mouthwash. As it’s swished around the mouth, the acids in the apple cider vinegar fight bacteria by creating an environment that most bacteria cannot survive in. In doing so, the decrease in bacteria supports these other benefits, such as whitening teeth, preventing gingivitis, and reducing bad breath.
Relieving Toothaches
With its natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties, apple cider vinegar is a popular ingredient used in at-home treatments for toothaches and other dental pain. Unsurprisingly, this largely occurs by reducing the bacteria in the mouth, which is a significant contributing factor in many kinds of oral discomfort. In most instances, ACV is utilized for reducing toothaches by soaking a cotton ball in the vinegar and applying it to the affected tooth.
No matter your oral health goals, it’s always important to visit a dentist or dental hygienist for your health care needs. However, you’ll find that home remedies like apple cider vinegar can make a big difference in your oral hygiene between appointments. Whether you’re using ACV gummies to reduce indigestion and the bad breath that comes with it or you’re using an ACV rinse as an antibacterial form of preventive care, you can reap the benefits of apple cider vinegar in a variety of forms. If you’re unsure of what variations of this popular remedy are right for you, talk to your doctor about these benefits and any potential risks of using apple cider vinegar as part of your health and wellness regimen.