Don't we all want healthy teeth and gums?
Yet sometimes, even with brushing, flossing, and eating healthy foods — it still isn't enough. Or maybe you just want a whiter, brighter smile without the toxic ingredients in conventional products.
It's herbs to the rescue!
10 Herbs For Healthy Teeth & Gums
These 10 healing herbs prevent decay, and even restore. Add them to toothpaste, make them into tea, or make them into tinctures to combine into an herbal mouthwash (see recipe below!).
If you aren't growing your own herbs, any of these may be found at either Mountain Rose Herbs or Bulk Herb Store.
Finally, to make any of these herbs into a tincture, check out How To Make An Herbal Tincture (aka Herbal Extract) or if you'd rather not use alcohol, How To Make A Non-Alcoholic Herbal Extract {Herbal Glycerite}.
Herb #1 — Myrrh
This is my go-to for teeth and gums. When toothache strikes, a little myrrh tincture placed on the tooth relieves pain in less than a minute.
It also heals and tightens gums, cures bleeding gums, and fights bacteria that would otherwise cause gum disease and tooth decay. I use it daily as a preventative.
Herb #2 — Neem
Traditionally, sticks of neem were used as a natural toothbrush due to its strong antibacterial properties. Even today, it's regaining popularity.
Modern research attests its ability to reduce plaque, prevent cavities and gum disease, and freshen breath. You can easily add powdered neem to your usual toothpaste.
And remember, the bark is more potent than the leaf.
Herb #3 — Echinacea
No, echinacea isn't just a cold-fighting herb! It also reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system, and helps fight infection in the mouth.
Herb #4 — Goldenseal
This herb is especially helpful for healing gums. It's antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory.
Herb #5 — Oregon Grape Root
Antimicrobial and an astringent, Oregon grape root also soothes and tightens swollen gums.
Herb #6 — Propolis
Although you don't want to use this if you have a bee allergy, propolis is an excellent antimicrobial herb for mouth infections and keeping disease at bay.
Herb #7 — Plantain
You probably already have this herb growing in your yard! It heals wounds and draws out infections (for more information, check out this post).
Just pop some leaves in a jar, cover with vodka, and let sit for 6 weeks to create your own plantain tincture.
Herb #8 — Sage
This is another commonly found herb that's also a natural astringent. It tightens gums and calms a sore mouth.
Herb #9 — White Oak Bark
This herb soothes and reduces swelling.
Herb #10 — Peppermint
Of course, any list of herbs for dental health wouldn't be complete without peppermint! It freshens breath and may help to whiten teeth, too!
Make Your Own Natural Mouthwash!
You can combine any of your favorite herbal tinctures into a natural, healing mouthwash! If you don't want to make your own tinctures (see instructions here and here), you can easily buy some ready-made, too.
This is my favorite blend of healing herbal tinctures:
If using more than 1 tincture, combine a small amount of each into a bottle with a dropper. When you're ready to use, fill a glass with about a mouthful of water. Add 20 to 30 drops of your natural mouthwash to the water. (If you are dealing with an infection or gum disease, you may wish to make your mouthwash stronger.) Swish around your mouth and then spit it out.
I should note that these herbs were not chosen based on taste! This makes a strong, herby-tasting mouthwash. If you like a minty-fresh mouth, definitely experiment with adding peppermint to your mix.
Have you used herbs to heal your teeth and gums? Have you ever made natural mouthwash?
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Safe is good for whitening also. A little essential oil in a homemade toothpaste does winery’s for yellow teeth.
We have been wxperimenting with homemade toothpaste and different herbs. With three adopted children from Eastern European counties we sadly have lots of tooth issues.
Planning on keeping this list handy!
Great tip on using sage for whitening! I have been experimenting with homemade toothpaste too. Neem is one of my favourite toothpaste ingredients so far.
Herbal tooth care is not something I have gotten into yet. I would like to try though. I think I’d add the peppermint….some of these herbs were new to me. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
It’s all a process. I have been moving over to herbal tooth care slowly…I started out with a myrrh mouthwash and just added a few tinctures at a time as a made them/purchased them. Like all things I find the taste grows on you too! But peppermint would definitely help with the transition.
Wow, thanks for all that research! Great giveaway too!
Love this post!
Thanks, Susan! I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
We brush with a homemade toothpaste. My 3 year old just loves it so much I have to monitor him since he eats it. I would like to add neem if possible. Can it be ingested? Or would any of the other herbs be a better options?
I use neem leaf in my toothpaste, which, from what I have read, is safe for internal use. However, I am not an herbalist, and am definitely not an expert in what is safe for children. Peppermint and Sage are definitely safe, for the others I would definitely recommend doing some research first. We would love to hear what you find out!
Hi Andrea and thank you for the tips on healthy teeth and gum using EO’s. I haven’t tried making toothpaste (yet) and hope that you have a recipe that you would share. I’ve used Propolis on my gums due to them receding, that really helped.
Dave
Hi Dave, I have been working on perfecting a toothpaste recipe over the last little while and hope to share one in January!
I have receding gums and want to know how did you apply the propolis
I make a mixture of baking soda, ground cinnamon, a few drops of peppermint EO, and a little powdered stevia to sweeten naturally to brush our teeth. (We are not allergic to stevia.) My husband dips nasty snuff, but doesn’t like this and prefers the toothpaste with the cancer-causing ingredient. (smh)
I sometimes make a mouthwash of hydrogen peroxide and a drop of peppermint EO.
Cinnamon toothpaste sounds good! I might have to try adding some to mine. (Cloves are a nice addition, too.) My husband isn’t a fan of homemade toothpaste or mouthwash either…. 🙂
Hi Andrea,
I’m glad I found you. I have huge problems with my teeth. I have an echinaseal tincture that includes all herbs you suggest, except one (plantain), plus wild indigo root and cayenne. I’m thinking to give it a try and turn it into mouthwash. What do you think? Thanks!
Hi Diana,
I have that same tincture and have used it many times as a mouthwash, so yes, go for it! I started doing this research because I was also having problems with my teeth. Hope it helps you! If you have some, you might also try brushing with bentonite clay…I have read good things about it from others who have had problems with their teeth and use it in my own toothpaste now.
Hi,
I know this is an old post, but may I ask what is the name or brand of this tincture? I’d love to try it.
Thank you!
Hi, Sara.
The brand is St Francis Herb Farm. 🙂
~Danielle, TCS Customer Success Team
I’ve been using herbal toothpaste now for 3 years, I visit the dentist regularly and they are continually surprised rather amazed when they see my dental health. “Oh I can;t believe you don’t use fluoride, you have no decay” – like it’s some revelation to them
What toothpaste r u using pls?
Any suggestions for healing receding gum lines?
Has anyone ever reversed a toothache? And then not to have it come back thru daily use of that single product?
Yes, I use my defender oil, my version of the four thieves blend. You may have to put it on for a few days, but should be good after that.
Hi
What are the defender oils and how should one use them?
Any suggestions for people with old root canal has an abcess seen on x ray ?options were Tooth extraction with implant or another root canal?
Thank you
Hi, Roc:
We don’t have specific advice on root canals, but here is a link to another post that includes some research about them: https://traditionalcookingschool.com/health-and-nutrition/right-diet-for-healthy-teeth/
I hope that helps!
Sonya, TCS Customer Success Team
Thank you for this very helpful information.
I am a bit concerned about using tincture/alcohol on my teeth as a mouthwash. I thought alcohol is bad for teeth enamel and gums. Do you have any further understanding on this?
Hi, Michelle,
We offer glycerine tinctures as an alternative in the post for anyone who doesn’t want to put a small amount of alcohol tincture in a glass of water. 🙂
~Peggy TCS Customer Success Team
As a herbalist, I often use herbs for oral care – but I do caution people about using antimicrobial herbs every single day of the year. Your mouth is still an ecosystem that needs the good bacteria – and wiping that out by using strong essential oils or antimicrobials every single day is not a good idea in the long run. People have had their teeth fall out from doing that (mostly from very concentrated oils or very long term use of antimicrobials such as neem, oregano). If someone needs to for a little while, then that is alright. I never use essential oils every single day in my oral care routine, they are way too powerful for everyday use in your mouth (you weren’t suggesting it, but some of the comments were… yikes!).