History of salt in oral care
Did you know that salt has a very long history in oral care? Sweet and minty toothpastes have only been popular since the early 20th century, whereas historians have documented salty toothpaste from as early as 5,000 BC in Egypt. Egyptians brushed with a toothpaste mixture of salt, herbs, beeswax, iris flowers and pepper. Ancient Chinese also used toothpaste with salt, additional ingredients such as ginseng, and a mix of herbs.
In Korea and other Asian countries, salt is still one of the most popular oral care ingredients thanks to many scientifically proven benefits. Jukyeom - Korean bamboo salt - has particularly been considered one of the most powerful medicinal salts and incorporated in mass market toothpaste since the 1980s to treat gum diseases and bad breath.
Benefits of salt in oral care
Salt is gentle abrasive
Salt and baking soda, which is another type of salt, work as a mild abrasive, helping to remove plaque and stains from the teeth and prevent cavities.
Salt stimulates saliva production
Saliva is an extremely important part of overall health, especially in digestion and dental care. Saliva contains several minerals (phosphorus and calcium) that help strengthen the tooth enamel. The increased flow of saliva can help protect teeth from acids and bacteria that cause tooth decay with its cleansing property and pH balancing effect.
Benefits of Korean bamboo salt in oral care
In addition to the general benefits of salt in oral health, bamboo salt comes with many more unique benefits driven from the rigorous roasting process.
Bamboo Salt is anti inflammatory and antimicrobial
In this study, Korean bamboo salt (Jukyeom) is demonstrated to be especially helpful for treating chronic inflammation, canker sores, gingivitis and other periodontal diseases. Bamboo salt can improve blood circulation and help reduce inflammation and swelling. For bleeding and painful gums, bamboo salt toothpaste and floss work as a gentle antiseptic and promote faster wound healing.
If you have bad breath, make your own bamboo salt water mouth rinse. In 1/3 cup of warm water, put a teaspoon of salt (preferably Jukyeom) and rinse your mouth. It helps combat sore throat, mouth sores and gum inflammation and promotes saliva production and healthy immune system.
Bamboo salt is rich in trace minerals
Sea salt has about 60 trace minerals, and Jukyeom and Himalayan Sea Salt has over 70 trace minerals. Trace minerals are micronutrients like vitamins that are essential for optimal health. And due to nutrient depletion of our soil, it’s becoming more difficult to get enough trace minerals from our diet.
Jukyeom includes high levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium during the multiple roasting process, absorbing rich minerals contents from raw bamboos. These micronutrients are key for healthy bones and teeth and balancing ideal oral microbiomes.
- Calcium: Essential for proper function and structure of bones and teeth. Assists in muscle function and blood vessel contraction.
- Phosphorus: Part of bone, teeth and cell membrane structure.
- Potassium: Electrolyte that maintains fluid status in cells and helps with nerve transmission and muscle function.
- Magnesium: Assists with over 300 enzyme reactions, including regulation of blood pressure.
Bamboo salt can reduce acidity: rebalance pH
One of the most distinct characteristics of Korean bamboo salt is its strong alkaline property (pH 9+) compared to sun-dried sea salts (neutral pH). Acid is the main cause of cavities as it breaks down enamel and weakens the teeth. Oral care products formulated with alkaline Korean bamboo salt and baking soda will neutralize the mouth environment in which acid producing bacteria thrive.
Read more: 1300 Day Bamboo Salt with a Thousand Years of History
Note: Be aware that the above mentioned benefits of salt and Korean bamboo salt don’t apply to table salt. Table salt is mined from underground deposits and heavily processed, which causes the salt to lose its healthy mineral content. Making things worse, table salt producers are allowed to add 18 different food additives to table salt, such as anti-caking chemicals, iodine to prevent goiters, MSG and/or white processed sugar to stabilize iodine, and aluminum derivatives like sodium silico-aluminate. Whenever possible, avoid table salt at all cost.
