![]() Saliva produced by the stimulation of chewing herbal leaves has more calcium and bicarbonate - contributing to a higher pH, as well. And stimulated saliva is even better for our teeth than saliva secreted sans stimulation. Saliva acts as a natural mouthwash, rinsing away bacteria and any bits of food that might feed bacteria. Chewing mint leaves has another oral-healthy friendly effect: It stimulates saliva production. And when we chew the leaves of mint, we aren't introducing any more bacteria-feeding sugar to our mouths, which makes it even more challenging for any surviving bacteria to thrive. That is to say, it kills bacteria in the mouth that otherwise might contribute to tooth decay. Mint is especially oral-health friendly because it is naturally antimicrobial. How to Enjoy It: A cup of mint tea or a glass of cold mint water at the end of a meal can help people without GERD or heartburn complaints to ease bloating or indigestion. But when it relaxes the muscles that separate the stomach and the esophagus, heartburn, the central complaint for GERD-sufferers, gets worse. When mint relaxes the intestine, it eases IBS complaints. For the same reason, mint can actually worsen upper GI issues, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But it also can help address digestive complaints such as gas, bloating and mild indigestion.Īccording to research, mint can help relax gastrointestinal (GI) tissue, making it useful for lower GI complaints, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The plant is thought to help encourage digestionby stimulating bile secretion - and, as we'll discuss more in the next section, it also boosts production of digestion-starting and tooth-protecting saliva. Assists DigestionĮnding a meal with mint is a good habit to pick up because mint can help ease indigestion. Allow the liquid to cool completely, then swish and rinse as you would with any mouthwash. ![]() How to Enjoy It: Steep mint leaves or a mint tea bag in hot (but not boiling) water for up to 5 minutes, covered. This isn't recommended as a replacement for mouthwash, but to reap the benefit of mint on a daily basis, look for mouthwashes that contain menthol. ![]() You can make a mint rinse by letting mint tea cool, then rinsing with it. Specifically, the compound menthol, found in mint, seems to help kill bacteria in the mouth and prevent gingival bleeding. ![]() Much like chamomile and green tea, rinsing with a mint-infused solution has been found to help ease swelling and counteract bleeding gums. Mint is widely attributed with anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to its strong antioxidant action. But you have to eat a bunch of mint to unlock the nutritive benefits: A serving size of spearmint is 1/3 cup of the minty leaves. Mint is also a powerful antioxidant, which means it can help our bodies overcome cellular damage. Folate, vital for supporting pregnancy, is also particularly important for oral health because of its role in healthy cell growth and function. Spearmint, a popular member of the mint family, is a great source of vitamin A, iron and folate. The hitch is the "proper quantity" part of the equation. Provides NutrientsĮaten in the proper quantity, plants in the mint family offer vitamins and minerals that our bodies need. Clinical research has verified its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its ability to stimulate saliva production, all of which play an important role in healthy mouths. ![]() Mint is also excellent for oral health, specifically. And a reasonable amount of mint is a boon for our taste buds and our health. This outstanding plant is easy to grow - in fact, the flavorful plant can be invasive and should be planted in a container to avoid aggressive spreading. The menthol in mint stimulates our nervous system, and our body interprets the stimuli as the tingly, cooling sensation we have all come to associate with minty freshness. The garden staple came to be associated with oral health in general because it contains a compound called menthol, which made an excellent addition to teeth-cleaning products. Mint, the fragrant, refreshing plant, is synonymous with toothpaste. ![]()
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