Essential Oils for Dental Health

An experienced holistic dentist and aromatherapy practitioner detail how to use essential oils to support the health of your mouth and teeth • Explores the benefits of and best methods of use for well-known dental care oils such as peppermint, tea-tree, and clove as well as the lesser known oral benefits of oils like cinnamon, manuka, and oregano • Offers many simple practical techniques to easily incorporate essential oils into your daily oral care routine • Includes recommended oil mixtures targeted to alleviate specific dental and oral ailments, such as periodontitis, oral herpes, ulcers, teething, dry mouth, bad breath, teeth grinding, and toothache Healthy teeth in a healthy oral environment play a key role in physical and mental well-being. We all want to preserve our teeth intact for as long as possible, and essential oils allow us to do so in a natural way. These precious "stars" from the plant kingdom promote oral hygiene and prevent a range of dental ailments, including caries and periodontitis. They can even help alleviate a fear of going to the dentist. Experienced essential oils expert Karin Opitz-Kreher and holistic dentist Jutta Schreiber, D.M.D., have combined their expertise to explain in clear, accessible, and practical terms how to use essential oils for oral health. Learn all you need to know about what factors to consider when buying oils, which methods to use for different treatments, and how to apply them safely within the mouth. Sixteen recommended essential oils and various oil mixtures are discussed, all with beautiful four-color illustrations. Discover their safe application and health benefits through the focused expertise and knowledge of the authors. The simple and practical techniques in this fascinating book will help to preserve and enhance your dental and oral health.

Karin Opitz-Kreher runs her own wellness practice specializing in stress reduction and harmonization. Trained in Aura-Soma, Aura-Soma Bodywork, and foot reflexology, since 2013 she also incorporates traditional knowledge of essential oils in her practice and teaches about them in workshops. She lives in Germany.

Introduction The Relationship between Essential Oils and Teeth Fact Box: How we smell things Why essential oils differ in quality Methods of essential oil use Reflex zones on the hand Reflex zones on the feet Orange (Citrus sinensis) Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Applying essential oil to marma points Massaging trigger points Directing energy using mudras Dealing with fear Maintaining Oral Health The impact of healthy teeth on self-esteem by Maria Kageaki Key essential oils and how to use them to support oral health Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) Sage (Salvia officinalis) Oregano (Oregano vulgare) Fact Box: Essential oils and homeopathic remedies Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Treating oral health problems Periodontal pockets and diabetes Unhealthy teeth and rheumatism Heart health Hormones and dental issues Periodontal problems Oral candidiasis Mouth sensitivity Toothaches Teething problems in infants Fact Box: Using essential oils for babies and children Wisdom teeth Mouth ulcers Cold sores Dry mouth Tooth decay Fact Box: Coconut oil for a healthy, tooth-friendly diet Oil pulling Copaiba (Copaifera reticulata) Bad breath Myrtle (Myrtus communis) Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Spearmint (Mentha spicata) Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Stress and teeth Essential oil "stars" Rose (Rosa damascena) Lemon balm (Melissa offi cinalis) Sandalwood (Santalum album) Epilogue Recommended reading Picture credits About the authors