What Does Your Dental Health Have To Do with Your Fertility?

I may wait way too long between dental visits.

That's because I'm a chicken when it comes to going to the dentist.

I am scared of him saying that he needs to drill into my teeth or give me shots.

Oh, and the scraping - ahhhhh!

It's like the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard.

My fear stems from having major dental work when I was a kid.

Funny how that still affects me now, huh?

But what does this have to do with your fertility?

Your health is highly affected by the food you eat; your mouth is where food first enters your body.

It is a gateway into the rest of your body.

Any inflammation in your mouth can easily move into the rest of your body.

Since your fertility is a function of your overall health, that inflammation can hurt your chances of conceiving.

Today I am sharing a glimpse of what I do between regular appointments, so my visits are quick, and there are limited dreaded follow-up appointments.

Paying attention to your dental health can help you maximize your chances of conceiving.

Dental issues like periodontal disease and cavities can increase the time to get pregnant.

Consider using these tips for better oral hygiene to help you get pregnant faster.

Brush and Floss

First, I heed the advice of my dentist and ADA to brush twice a day and floss daily (well, I don't always floss daily, but I'm working on it).

Oil Pulling

I recommend an Ayurvedic technique called oil pulling, which involves swishing around coconut oil in your mouth, which draws out toxins from your gums and teeth and improves the health of your mouth.

I do this about 2-3 times a week while showering and typically on days when I wash my hair.

I use about 1/2 teaspoon of coconut or MCT oil (I like this one by GuruNanda). I put it into my mouth, let it liquefy, and swish it around for the duration of my shower.

I started slowly, pulling for 5 min. Now I am up to about 20 minutes.

And I haven't had a cavity in years because of this incredible, ancient Ayurvedic dental technique.

When you're finished, spit out the oil into the trash, so the oil doesn't clog your drain, and brush your teeth.

The final step is to rinse with a product called Tooth and Gum Tonic* by Dental Herb Company.

This alcohol-free tonic has soothing herbs and essential oils to help reduce bacteria and inflammation and has a pleasant, minty taste.

I swish half a capful around my mouth.

Following these steps means less anxiety before and during visits, less scraping, and fewer unwanted dental procedures.

For you, fewer dental concerns mean better chances of getting pregnant faster.

Xo,

Ami

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PMID: 25328800

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