Mouth / teeth cleansing foods

Question
I work with very confused elderly folk, some of whom are very anti brushing their teeth. I believe there are some foods which help cleanse the palate and may help freshen their mouths. Any ideas? Thanks in anticipation

Answer
Dear Hazel,

Sounds like you are doing a difficult and brave job! My respect goes out to you.
There are, of course, many old fashioned "natural" ways to clean teeth but most of them can no longer be adopted by modern, let alone confused elderly folk (like chewing willow twigs). The much loved FRESH peppermint experience in our commercial paste reveals some old fashioned herbs that freshen up nicely, and in homeopathic toothpastes we find, clay, chalk, lemon(neutralises acids); chamomile,calendula (soothing),lavender, sage, cloves. rathania root, myhrr (great for infected gums),  salt & sodium bicarbonate (super anti-bacterial),  

A mouth wash containing such ingredients (Weleda, WALA even better but hard to obtain outside Germany) does do wonders. Tastes bitter. But it really does work. But it can, of course, NOT remove plaque sufficiently to prevent caries or extensive gum problems. However, this may not be your main priority with this specific group of people you are seeking some general personal hygiene advice for.

Maybe, prevention is your best cure: avoid sugary foods at all costs (as much as possible, especially before sleeping).
An apple used to be used for cleansing specifically (and hence the proverb: an apple a day keeps the doctor away, with dentists being very modern convenience specialists - you were lucky to get a barber to pull out your sore tooth in the Middle-Ages!)
Chewing promotes the self-cleansing properties of saliva (so salads and veg or even meat and wholemeal products that go "crunch"), but if you don't like brushing you probably also don't much fancy chewing....

These people may simply not feel much like anything to do with their teeth. If you think about our common "tooth/teeth" proverbs (sinking our teeth into, biting off more than you can chew, fighting tooth and nail) you can maybe better understand how the teeth can become simply the first obvious thing about "hard" life which are too much to bear too much fuss over. This to help you realise there is not an awful lot you can be expected to do.

If they want to be much left alone to their contracting selves, they will want sweet and pappy things, reverting to a child-like state. The Ego Body is not strong enough to chew up and digest all that "hard core stuff" from the natural world anymore. Chewing sage leaves (which works for patients with Cancer,for example, who suffer from excessively bleeding gums when brushing is too abrasive) might be impossible to suggest. So then you have to think of mouth washes. But gargle, rinse and spit can also be too much for some....

Then maybe your only resource aside healthy meals (with no added sugar! No white flour, not too much dairy - coats with mucous, gives very bad breath) is a lot of green, but better herbal tea before bed. A nice soothing lemon balm infusion, or a chamomile and limeblossom drink. Promotes sleep, to boot! Simple rinsing (3x) with water is a last recourse, which must not be entirely neglected (indeed, should be encouraged after every meal). I suggest for those who have to have their tea sweet, to use honey. There seem to be many beneficial qualities for the elderly in a daily dose of honey.

But it won't solve your toothbreath problem in itself!
Goes to show, that taking care of one's teeth is a very conscious choice. A modern one and a sophisticated one. And a vital one!

Keep up your great work,
love Evelyn.  

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