How Clove Toothpaste Benefits Your Oral Health

Clove is a dried spice derived from the flower buds of the clove tree, an evergreen native to Indonesia. Cloves have a strong aroma and flavor—woody, sweet, and spicy—and are most notably found in sweet treats such as pumpkin pie, eggnog, and gingerbread, as well as in savory recipes from Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean. But did you know that clove is also used in oral care products such as toothpaste? Read on to learn about clove toothpaste benefits and how to incorporate this popular aromatic spice into your dental care routine.

A Brief History of Clove

Clove is a unique spice that has been used as a folk remedy for centuries for everything from soothing digestive issues to boosting the immune system. According to the World History Encyclopedia, it was used in China around the third century BCE in medicine and to freshen breath. A few centuries later, clove became popular in Indian society to treat a wide variety of ailments, including asthma and toothaches.

Today, cloves are still a go-to spice in both the culinary and wellness worlds. From their dried form, these brown, spike-shaped flower buds are often ground into a powder. Clove oil can also be distilled from the dried buds to be used for medicinal purposes.

Clove Toothpaste Benefits

Modern research has proven that the use of clove oil in oral care products has promising effects on overall dental health. Here are some key takeaways about how clove toothpaste can help boost your dental routine:

• Helps to prevent cavities: A study in the International Journal of Dentistry concluded that clove essential oil has the power to decrease tooth decalcification—in this case, caused by apple juice. Researchers discovered that it's even capable of remineralizing teeth, a significant finding that proves clove oil is a perfect complement to fluoride for preventing cavities.
• Reduces dental discomfort: Have you ever heard of people using clove oil to numb their gums when experiencing toothache? This is because cloves have analgesic properties. In one Journal of Dentistry study, cloves were found to be just as effective as benzocaine when used as a topical anesthetic for dental woes. Research suggests that cloves can reduce the pain associated with dental visits.
• Keeps bacteria at bay: Published in the Journal of Natural Products, another study showed that cloves stopped the growth of the bacteria that commonly leads to gum disease. Additionally, research published in the Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology found that cloves can have antiplaque and antigingivitis effects when used in mouthwash or oral rinse formulas.

The benefits of cloves in oral care products are clear!

No longer does your dental regimen only need to contain mint-flavored products. Options such as cinnamon clove toothpaste and herbal rinses with clove oil can spice up your oral care routine with a burst of unique flavor and ancient healing properties to boot.

Learn more about natural oral healthcare by visiting the Naturally Good Products board from @tomsofmaine on Pinterest!

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