The mare looked pretty good until the wise horse trader opened her mouth. She was declared “Too long in the tooth.” No sale.

People, like horses, can get “long in the tooth”–gums recede, teeth loosen, and ultimately fall out. Want to avoid such a fate? Here are a few suggestions to add to your dental hygiene that just may save you a bundle of money, pain, and–your teeth!

BRUSH AND FLOSS— Hopefully you’re already doing those everyday. Commercial toothpastes have improved dental health over the decades. While there is controversy about fluoride, most of us are taking our chances and seemingly tolerating any toxicity in our favorite squeeze. Flossing is essential for getting in between the teeth where food particles gather and decay. But, that is simply a good start!

TEA TREE OIL CHEWING STICKS— Triple action Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Toothpicks deliver therapeutic grade
Melaleuca alternifolia oil between teeth and at the gum line, help remove debris and plaque in places where brushes can’t reach and leaves breath fresh and clean. Uniquely designed from renewable, fast-growing birchwood trees, each toothpick is infused with a powerful array of natural plant extracts, including peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, fennel and menthol. Infused with a powerful array of natural plant extracts, including
peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, fennel and menthol. Trace your gum line with these toothpicks after brushing and you’ll be amazed at the plaque still to be removed. The tea tree oil kills bacteria at the gum line. If you’ve had a history of bleeding gums, you should definitely add this step to your dental cleaning routine. Freshens breath also! Available in health food stores and on-line.

BAKING SODA —Want to make your mouth feel squeaky clean? Brush with basic baking soda occasionally. The natural oxidizing agents in baking soda whitens stains. Not recommended on a daily basis, due to the abrasive nature it may have on enamel, but a couple times a week is fine to add a nice polish to your smile.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE—  At a cost of about $2 a bottle, hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive whitening and disinfecting agent. Use as a mouthwash a few times a week to cleanse the mouth. It doesn’t have much taste and fizzes!

Don’t become like an old nag who is long in the tooth!

As time goes by, maintaining healthy gums are the keys to retaining teeth into a ripe old age. Adding a few minutes of additional care for your gums can lead to a life of pleasureable eating and dazzling smiles.