Everyone is talking about the gut biome these days — but how much attention do you give to your oral biome? Home to a sensitive and essential population of microbes, your mouth is the gateway to your whole body, and nurturing it properly is one of the most powerful things you can do for your full-body health.
Nadine Artemis, founder of Living Libations and one of the world's leading voices in holistic dental care, has developed a complete self-dentistry protocol that she says will keep your mouth, teeth, gums, and saliva in such pristine condition that every day your teeth will feel as clean and smooth as if you have just visited the hygienist.
Here are her 8 steps — and the products we love for each one.
🧬 What Is the Oral Biome and Why Does It Matter?
The oral biome is the complex ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that live in your mouth. Far from being something to eliminate, this community of microbes plays a critical role in digestion, immunity, and even mental health.
Research shows that poor oral health is linked to systemic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and inflammation throughout the body. Yet most conventional dental products — loaded with alcohol, fluoride, and synthetic detergents — actively disrupt the delicate balance of the oral microbiome rather than supporting it.
The holistic dental care approach is different. Rather than attacking the mouth with harsh chemicals, it works with the body's natural intelligence to create an environment where beneficial bacteria thrive and harmful ones cannot take hold.
👑 Nadine Artemis and Holistic Dental Care
Nadine Artemis is the founder of Living Libations and the author of Holistic Dental Care, a pioneering book that has genuinely changed the way thousands of people think about their teeth and gums. Drawing on botanical science, naturopathic wisdom, and decades of research, Nadine's approach puts the power of oral health firmly back in your own hands.
Her 8-step self-dentistry protocol is designed to be done at home, with natural products, as a daily ritual rather than a chore. Here is how it works. 🌿
✨ Nadine Artemis' 8 Steps for Successful Self-Dentistry
Step 1: The Rinse 💧
Begin with a saltwater rinse — Nadine recommends 16oz of water to 1oz of salt. This simple step prepares the mouth, loosens debris, and creates an alkaline environment that supports healthy microbial balance. We also love Essential Oxygen Mouthwash as an excellent alternative, combining food-grade hydrogen peroxide with clean botanicals for a powerful yet gentle start.
Step 2: Scraping the Tongue 👅
Scrape the tongue 2 to 3 times using a tongue scraper. Overnight, bacteria accumulate on the tongue's surface and reintroducing them into the mouth by brushing without scraping first undermines everything that follows. This step takes seconds and makes a significant difference.
Buy the Tactical Tongue Scraper
Step 3: Brushing the Gums 🪥
Brush the gums carefully towards the teeth, taking extra care along the gum line. This stimulates circulation, removes plaque at the most critical point, and supports gum tissue health. Apply a couple of drops of essential oil for best results — botanicals like clove, tea tree, and neem have powerful antimicrobial properties that support the oral biome without disrupting it. The FETE soft bristle toothbrush is ideal here — gentle enough for sensitive gums and sustainably made.
Step 4: Polishing the Teeth ✨
Polish with a round-headed electric toothbrush and a natural tooth polish or powder. This is where you can really personalise your routine. Check out some of our favourites from the Raw Living range below, or browse our full natural oral care range to find what works best for you.
Buy Bio-White Tooth Powder (best budget option)
Buy Essential Oxygen Toothpaste (best family option)
Buy Triple Mint Enamalizer (for the cleanest teeth ever!)
Step 5: Checking the Gum Lines 🔍
Clean along the gum line using a rubber-tipped gum tool or sulcus brush. This is one of the most neglected areas in conventional brushing and one of the most important. The gum line is where plaque accumulates and where gum disease begins — giving it dedicated attention here is a simple but significant upgrade to your routine.
Buy Mint + Myrrh Tooth Serum
Step 6: Flossing 🧵
Floss thoroughly — and if you can, floss twice. The first pass loosens debris and plaque between the teeth; the second ensures it is fully removed. Use a natural, unwaxed floss wherever possible to avoid introducing synthetic coatings into the oral environment.
Buy Frankincense Fresh Silk Floss
Step 7: Final Rinse 💦
Return to your mouthwash, swish thoroughly, and spit. This final rinse removes everything loosened by the previous steps and leaves the mouth clean, fresh, and balanced. Using a botanical mouthwash at this stage rather than an alcohol-based one ensures you are not stripping away the beneficial microbes you have just worked to protect.
Step 8: Extra Care 🌿
For anyone dealing with sensitive gums, receding gum lines, or simply wanting to take their oral health to the next level, this final step is transformative. Use a Vita-pik or oral irrigator with salt water to flush the gum pockets, then massage a gum gel into the gum line and any sensitive areas. Ozonated oils are among the most powerful tools in holistic dentistry, delivering oxygen deep into gum tissue to support healing and microbial balance.
Buy Ozonated Happy Gum Gel
Buy PurO3 Ozonated Gum Support Gel
🎓 Go Deeper with Nadine Artemis
Want to learn more from the queen of oral care herself? Join our free webinar with Nadine Artemis on April 29th and expand your knowledge of truly holistic oral health. Reserve your place here.
You can also explore everything Nadine knows about holistic dental care in her essential book, Holistic Dental Care — available now at Raw Living.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is holistic dental care? A: Holistic dental care is an approach to oral health that works with the body's natural systems rather than against them. Rather than using harsh chemicals that disrupt the oral biome, holistic dentistry uses botanical ingredients, natural minerals, and mindful practices to support long-term dental health from the inside out.
Q: What is the oral biome? A: The oral biome is the ecosystem of microorganisms that live in your mouth, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. A balanced oral biome supports digestion, immunity, and overall health. Disrupting it with alcohol-based mouthwashes or synthetic toothpastes can have knock-on effects throughout the body.
Q: Can I do holistic dental care at home? A: Yes — that is precisely the point of Nadine Artemis' self-dentistry protocol. With the right natural products and a consistent daily routine, you can maintain excellent oral health at home between professional dental visits.
Q: Are these steps suitable for sensitive gums? A: Yes. The protocol is designed to be gentle as well as effective. Using soft-bristled brushes like the FETE toothbrush and botanical products rather than abrasive conventional ones makes this approach particularly well suited to those with sensitive gums or gum recession.
Q: What is ozonated oil and what does it do? A: Ozonated oil is a natural oil that has been infused with ozone, giving it powerful antimicrobial and healing properties. Used on the gum line, it supports tissue repair, reduces harmful bacteria, and promotes a healthy oral environment. Ozonated Happy Gum Gel and PurO3 Tooth and Gum Support Gel are two of our favourite options.
Q: Does this replace visits to the dentist? A: No. These recommendations are designed to complement, not replace, regular visits to your trusted dental practitioner. Think of this protocol as the very best thing you can do for your oral health between appointments.
🦷 Ready to transform your oral health routine? Explore our full range of natural oral care products at Raw Living and take the first step towards a healthier mouth — and a healthier you.
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