White teeth and strong gums are important components of not only beauty, but also health. Many different methods are used to brighten the surface of teeth and strengthen gums. Tea tree essential oil is often used at home.
Properties of tea tree oil
The tea tree grows in Australia. It has another name - melaleuca. Juice is extracted from the leaves of the plant and then distilled with steam, i.e., the hydrodistillation method is used. The result is a transparent oil with a colorless to light yellowish tint.
From a ton of leaves, 10 kg of tea tree oil is obtained.
Tea tree essential oil has antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic and antiviral properties. It contains about 50 biologically active substances that determine the properties of the product, as well as vitamins (E, B1, B12, B6 and D), iron, iodine and many other trace elements.
Due to the huge content of beneficial components, tea tree oil is used:
- for the treatment of respiratory diseases;
- in gynecology;
- in dentistry;
- for skin diseases;
- in urology;
- to eliminate benign neoplasms on the skin;
- for the treatment of fungal diseases of the nail plates;
- with diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- to increase stress resistance, performance and concentration.
Tea tree ether is also used in cosmetology:
- anti-dandruff;
- from acne, blackheads and other inflammations on the skin surface;
- for the care of problem skin;
- to strengthen and nourish nails;
- during the massage procedure (added to massage oils).
How ether whitens teeth
As a rule, tooth enamel whitening is associated with abrasive or chemical action on the tooth surface. Tea tree oil has no solid components and is not an aggressive substance. However, at some point it was noticed that the product can lighten teeth. How does this happen?
The fact is that plaque forms on the tooth surface for various reasons. Darkening of the enamel can be caused by bad habits, frequent consumption of coffee and tea, and various infectious agents in the oral cavity.
Plaque consists of pieces of food, various bacteria, and rejected cells. Initially, it has a soft structure and can be easily removed by ordinary brushing of teeth. If oral hygiene is not maintained properly, plaque mineralizes and tartar forms.
Neutralizing microbes and fungi in the oral mucosa, tea tree ether delicately eliminates plaque caused by microorganisms.
Teeth lightening with tea tree oil will not produce a bright white shade like a dental procedure, but it will significantly whiten the enamel and protect it from scratches or chemical damage.
How to use oil for oral care
Tea tree oil extract for teeth whitening can be used according to the following schemes:
- brush your teeth with essential oil every day for a week. Then repeat the procedure once every 7 days;
- Apply tea tree oil every 2-3 days for 4 weeks. Next there should be a break of 3-4 months.
To lighten the tooth surface, you need to use 100% essential oil, not diluted. The procedure is carried out as follows:
- First you need to brush your teeth for 2 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth and toothbrush with clean water.
- Apply 2 drops of essential oil to the bristles.
- Again for 2 minutes. brush your teeth.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
Most consumers note that when using tea tree oil, there may be slight numbness on the tip of the tongue. In addition, after the procedure is completed, a taste remains in the mouth, which not everyone likes. To neutralize it, you can rinse your mouth with the following solutions:
- For 250 ml of water you need to take 1 tsp. salt;
- Combine 250 ml of water with 1 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Recipes for lightening tooth enamel
Tea tree oil can be used in combination with certain components that increase the effectiveness of the whitening procedure.
Lemon oil
The combination of tea tree ether and lemon extract promotes active teeth whitening in a shorter period.
The whitening procedure should be done according to one of the above schemes. Just add 2 drop of lemon oil to 1 drops of tea tree oil.
Aloe juice
If tooth enamel is highly sensitive, then the following composition should be used to whiten it:
- aloe juice - 1 tsp;
- tea tree oil - 3 drops.
The teeth must first be cleaned, and then the resulting mixture must be rubbed into the surface of the enamel without using a toothbrush.
Gum care
Tea tree oil is a powerful natural antibiotic. With the advent of synthetic antibacterial drugs, it was undeservedly forgotten. But in recent decades, tea tree ether has again gained wide popularity both in medicine and in cosmetology.
In dental practice, this remedy is used to treat stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease and many other diseases. Tea tree oil extract stops gum inflammation and prevents bleeding. If the gums are not taken care of, then over time they become loose, their level drops, the tooth is exposed, which can lead to its loss and the development of inflammatory processes.
Rinsing
To care for loose gums, it is recommended to prepare a solution from the following ingredients:
- tea tree oil - 5 drops;
- purified water - 100 ml.
Mix the ingredients and rinse your mouth twice a day. You should brush your teeth first. It is recommended to rinse for a week.
For gum inflammation, you can use a rinse made from several oils:
- tea tree oil - 1 drop;
- thyme oil - 1 drop;
- eucalyptus oil - 1 drop;
- peppermint oil - 1 drop;
- water - 200 ml.
Mix the oil extracts in water and rinse your mouth with the resulting mixture 2 times a day.
After rinsing the mouth with medicinal solutions for 30–40 minutes. You can't eat or drink anything. This is necessary so that all the beneficial components can penetrate as deeply as possible into the gum tissue.
Rubbing
The second option for gum care is rubbing tea tree oil. However, it cannot be used in its pure form, since the fabric can be burned.
For the rubbing procedure, tea tree ether can be mixed with sea buckthorn oil, which also effectively cares for gums, stops bleeding, relieves inflammation and promotes rapid healing of wounds.
Ingredients:
- sea buckthorn oil - 1 tsp;
- tea tree oil - 1 drop.
The resulting composition should be rubbed into the gums 2 times a day for 5–7 days.
Instead of sea buckthorn oil, you can use castor or olive oil, or aloe vera juice.
Contraindications and precautions
The list of contraindications to the use of tea tree oil is short:
- pregnancy;
- the period of breastfeeding;
- individual intolerance.
The product should also not be used by children under 7 years of age.
To determine whether there are any allergic reactions to tea tree essential oil, you should definitely conduct a test before using it. Apply 1-2 drops of the product to the inner bend of the elbow and wait 15 minutes. If no skin manifestations occur, the oil can be used to whiten teeth and strengthen gums.
An important point is to comply with the dosages and periods of use of tea tree ether, because otherwise, a burn to the oral mucosa is possible.
Reviews on the use of tea tree oil in oral care
The smell from my mouth is gone. Previously, when I brushed my teeth, the smell still remained. I also used dental floss, breath fresheners, and mouth rinses. And then I found out that this oil can remove plaque from the tongue and oral mucosa, where bacteria accumulate no less than on teeth. I used to scrub my tongue with a bare brush, but then I started doing this: after brushing with toothpaste, I rinsed my mouth and brush well, and then I dripped three drops onto it and gently “wipe” my tongue and oral cavity. After 4 days I felt an improvement, and now the smell from my mouth almost doesn’t bother me (naturally, I still use paste, threads and toothpicks as before). In addition, tea tree oil has a strong smell - this is a substitute for chewing gum. I haven’t chewed gum for a long time - they make my fillings fly out, but now I’ve found a good cleaning alternative that also disinfects the oral cavity and heals minor wounds in the mouth.
One day my gums became inflamed, they bled and hurt. I rinsed with the solution in the morning and evening. Add 5 drops of tea tree oil to a glass of boiling water, cool until warm and rinse. It helps a lot.
I have heard about the healing properties of tea tree oil. The other day I bought myself such a teeth whitening product. I want to share the result. I am a big coffee lover, I simply cannot live without it, I drink 6 or even more cups a day. I never complained about the condition of my teeth, I didn’t particularly notice that they were yellowish. I read the reviews and went to brush my teeth. During the cleaning, of course, I periodically looked at their condition and muttered to myself that I didn’t see any effect. I was indignant until I took a photo. I really somehow didn’t notice in the mirror that their color had changed. But when I compared the photos, I wanted to tell everyone about it. I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES! I brushed like everyone else: first with toothpaste, then, after rinsing the brush, I added 1-2 drops of oil and thoroughly brushed my teeth with oil. I was helped with this by a special sand clock on the wall, which counts down the time allotted for brushing my teeth: 3 minutes. Of the minuses: the tongue goes numb, there is a slightly unpleasant aftertaste, the brush slightly damaged the gums. I recommend it for a dazzling smile, but, most importantly, do not overdo it, everything is purely individual.
Tea tree oil is an effective remedy for whitening tooth enamel and strengthening gums. However, you should not expect results like after a salon procedure. Essential oil can only remove dark plaque and restore the natural shade of teeth.
