For centuries, honey has been used as a homeopathic method to heal wounds, treat sore throats, and more. But, “did you know” honey is also amazing for your teeth, fighting gum disease and tooth decay improving your overall your oral health?
Not all honey is the same obviously, However, certain types of honey have amazing antibacterial properties. They can help clean teeth and break down the bacteria in your mouth that creates plaque.
Honey is also known to fight oral infections and alleviate the symptoms of gum disease.
Perhaps, it’s time to make an investment in your oral health and change the type of honey you use and how you us it. To learn more about what this special type of honey can do for you … Keep reading!
As one of nature’s most robust elixirs, honey truly is an all-natural secret weapon for your dental care.
But not all honey is created equal, and for this article, we’ll talk solely about Manuka honey, which packs a powerful healing punch in every teaspoon.
In this article, you will learn…
- What Manuka honey is and why it’s healthy
- All about the healing benefits of Manuka honey
- Why Manuka honey is fantastic for you and your teeth
- The four main healing properties found in Manuka honey
- How Manuka honey fights against tooth decay and gum disease
- How you can add Manuka honey to your dental health care routine
- … And much, much more!
Before we cover all the exceptional healing properties of Manuka honey, let’s look at what it is and how it can benefit you and your teeth and gums.
Table of Contents
What is Manuka Honey?
Manuka honey is a monofloral honey that originates from Oceania. It’s sourced from the nectar of the manuka tree (also known as the tea tree), which grows natively in New Zealand and Australia.
Commonly used to sweeten tea or add extra flavor to food, Manuka honey also poses a host of oral health benefits that many people don’t know about. Keep reading to discover why Manuka honey is fantastic for your teeth and oral health.
Manuka Honey Versus Regular Local Honey – What Are The Differences
While traditional local honey is a delicious way to sweeten tea and other treats, it simply doesn’t have the same healing benefits as Manuka honey.
The main difference between the two is that Manuka honey contains higher levels of a compound called methylglyoxal. This powerful ingredient has antimicrobial properties that help the body fight bacteria, fungi, and more.
What’s another key difference between this healing honey and the honey you’re used to? The taste. While your traditional honey is sweet, Manuka honey tastes slightly bitter.
Keep reading to find out the types of Manuka honey that have the power to help your dental health.
Types of Manuka Honey
Not All Manuka Honey Is Created Equal!
Manuka honey is the most healing honey out there. While most Manuka honey contains some antibacterial strength, some batches are stronger than others.
Honey manufacturers use three different rating systems to measure the antibacterial potency of each batch of Manuka honey.
Where the Manuka is sourced does make a difference.
Manuka honey only comes from two countries located in Oceania. Both Australia and New Zealand source pure, raw Manuka honey from their forests and across the seaboard.
The most potent Manuka honey comes from Australia, where the climate naturally produces this antibacterial wonder.
As seen in the image below, Manuka honey from Australia contains higher methylglyoxal levels, making it better suited for medicinal uses.
So, how can you tell which Manuka honey is the best for your health.
By the way, if you are interested in natural at-home health remedies to keep your gums and teeth looking their best, then you might want to also check out what ginger can do to improve your oral health.
Manuka Potency Scoring… What Does UMF, MGO, and NPA Stand For On The Label?
Again, when it comes to the antibacterial strength of Manuka honey, it’s all about the rating.
These are the three main rating systems for Manuka honey:
- Unique Manuka Factor (UMF)
- Non-Peroxide Activity (NPA)
- Methylglyoxal (MGO)
Each rating is used to score the honey’s level of healing enzymes. The higher the rating, the greater the antibacterial effect!!
Special note: UMF and NPA ratings are usually interchangeable, while an MGO rating is on an entirely different scoring scale. See the graph below to understand how they coincide.
For example, a strong Manuka honey would have a UMF rating of 15+ or an MGO concentration of 500 or greater. At the bare minimum, manuka honey should have a 5+ UMF rating. The industry standard is right around 10+. For the best healing results, search for honey with a higher UMF or MGO rating.
Go With A Trusted Manuka Rating System
Watch Out For Manuka Honey Imposters!
It’s important to note that some brands use terms like UMF, NPA, or MGO to describe their Manuka honey.
If you see Manuka honey labeled as “active” or “bioactive.” Buyer Beware! These are vague marketing terms that don’t specify how strong the honey actually is. You can only safely determine the strength of your manuka honey by its UMF or MGO rating.
If you see something advertised as a “Manuka Blend,” it’s not pure and, therefore, it cannot deliver the same healing results as real Manuka honey.
Now that you know how Manuka honey is rated, let’s talk about the best Manuka honey brands available right now.
Best Manuka Honey Brands
- Comvita Certified UMF 15+ (Super Premium) Manuka Honey
- Bee’s Inn UMF 15+ Pure Natural Raw Manuka Honey
- Kiva Certified UMF 15+ Raw Manuka Honey
All of the brands listed above are available for purchase on Amazon.
Which Manuka Honey is Best For Your Oral Health?
The higher the Manuka rating, the better. For excellent oral health, we recommend at least a UMF strength of 15 and an MGO strength of 514.
Due to the enhanced antimicrobial properties of Manuka honey, the higher its strength, the greater the likelihood you will experience its benefits. However, make sure you keep an eye on your wallet too.
Ultimately, test what works best for you, as results may vary.
Now that you know the fundamentals of Manuka Honey… Let’s get to its incredible oral care benefits so you can make your mouth, teeth, and gums their healthiest!
Key Oral Benefits of Manuka Honey
Did you know Ancient Egyptians used Manuka honey as medicine? They applied it topically as a makeshift bandage to heal wounds and burns.
Now you can use Manuka honey to do just that and more. You can ingest it to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Check it out…
Manuka honey can help you:
- Temporarily alleviate toothaches
- Fight oral infections
- Stop gum disease in its tracks
- Help Reduce the effects of tooth decay
- … And much, much more!
How does it do it? Read On!
Why Manuka Honey is Amazing For You and Your Teeth
From reducing swelling to fighting infection and much more, Manuka honey is one of nature’s most potent healers.
You won’t believe just how many healing properties are found in a single teaspoon of Manuka honey – and how each positively affects your dental health.
Keep reading to find out what they are…
The 4 Main Healing Properties Found in Manuka Honey
- Anti-inflammatory: Manuka honey has the power to reduce pain and swelling related to toothaches. If you are suffering from gum disease, it will help alleviate inflammation.
- Antibacterial: Because Manuka honey is antibacterial, ingesting it will actually help clean your teeth. This healer helps break down the plaque that causes tooth decay.
- Antiviral: With its antiviral properties, Manuka honey can fight against oral infections, gum disease, and more. Use Manuka honey to keep your teeth and gums free of viruses.
- Antioxidant: This all-natural healer cleanses your mouth of impurities by introducing antioxidants to the body. This can result in fresher breath and healthier teeth.
So, how can a nature-made sweetener impact your oral health in so many positive ways?
Well, one single ingredient makes Manuka honey so effective in treating and preventing dental problems. It’s called Methylglyoxal, and its healing nature is impressive.
Methylglyoxal, the active ingredient in Manuka honey, successfully fights bacteria of all kinds. It can even break down E. Coli, the bacteria that causes food poisoning.
On top of that, this super ingredient diminishes biofilm, which is the primary cause of plaque buildup on and around your teeth and gums. As a result, this fierce homeopathic remedy keeps tooth decay and gum disease under control.
Plus, it fights viral infections, reducing pain and inflammation in your mouth. And its natural antioxidants protect your teeth from unwanted toxins.
But the healing powers of Manuka honey don’t stop there.
Want to learn more about how Manuka honey fights tooth decay and gum disease?
Keep reading to find out right now…
Manuka Honey Against Tooth Decay & Gum Disease
According to several research studies, Manuka honey can help you reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. But how?
Manuka honey produces hydrogen peroxide, one of the strongest, most potent bacteria fighters today. You can cleanse your mouth with Manuka honey without swishing a bunch of peroxide around it.
After practicing your Manuka honey mouthwash, you’ll remove harmful residue from the surface of your teeth, thus preventing plaque from building up around the gums.
Are you curious about how to add Manuka honey to your dental healthcare routine?
In the next section of this article, you’ll learn various ways to use Manuka honey to protect your teeth.
How to Use Manuka Honey to Protect Your Teeth
You can use Manuka honey to clean your teeth, eliminate plaque, and stop gum disease in its tracks. Today, we’ll talk about the four most potent ways to do so. Find out how below.
How To Use Manuka Honey For Optimal Oral Health
4 Powerful Ways to Use Manuka Honey For Most of Your Dental Care Needs
- Mouthwash: Replace your regular mouthwash with Manuka honey. Unlike mass-produced mouthwashes, this honey only kills harmful bacteria while keeping the good bacteria you need to maintain a healthy mouth.
- Toothpaste: Apply some Manuka honey to your toothbrush and brush your teeth with it. This way, it’ll get into the nooks and crannies of your teeth and immediately begin its plaque destruction.
- Gum massage: Rub a drop of Manuka honey directly on your gums to reduce swelling and inflammation. Even if you don’t suffer from gum disease, you can use this method to prevent bacteria from accumulating around your gums.
- Ingest it normally: A spoonful of honey daily keeps tooth decay away! You can swallow a spoonful or add Manuka honey to your tea. But note that it won’t be as effective as applying it directly to the affected area.
As you can see, using Manuka honey for your oral health is simple and easy. It does not pose any adverse side effects, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t give it a try.
Wait… Doesn’t Manuka Honey Has Sugar In It… So Won’t It Cause Cavities?
You probably know that foods and drinks high in sugar are your teeth’s worth enemy. Sugar is the primary cause of plaque buildup, which leads to tooth decay and gum disease.
So, since honey is high in sugar, how can it be good for your oral health?
It might seem a little odd to apply something so sugary directly to your teeth. But the truth is this sugary substance will not cause tooth decay in any way.
Manuka honey in and of itself will not make your cavity prone. The antibacterial properties in Manuka honey are far stronger than the sugars it consists of. Instead of sticking sugars to the surface of your teeth, this at-home remedy diminishes existing residue.
As a result, Manuka honey breaks down plaque instead of building it up.
Manuka Honey Is NOT a Replacement For Professional Dental Care
Even as powerful as Manuka honey is, it does not give you a license to over indulge on other sugary items neither does it give you license to skip out on your routine office visits.
Manuka honey should not replace your regular dental routine. It’s definitely not your all-in-one solution to tooth decay and gum disease. It should only be used to add to your existing healthy oral health routine directed by your dentist.
Manuka honey is simply a healthy add-on, a home remedy to keep teeth clean and strong. So, keep brushing and flossing as usual, and be sure to make regular visits to your dental healthcare provider!
There is no better way to keep your teeth in their utmost health can to see your dentist regularly. Depending on your teeth, it’s recommended to schedule a dental checkup every 6 to 12 months.
Are YOU Overdue For a Dental Checkup?
Don’t hesitate to stop your tooth decay and gum disease before they become a problem by keeping up with your dental checkups.
Looking for a dentist you can trust? Look no further than the professionals at Apple Springs Family Dentistry.
Located in Williamson County, Texas, this family-friendly dental practice will make you feel safe and welcome. They’ll take a look at your teeth and provide practical solutions for any problems you’re facing.
Don’t wait—call Apple Springs Family Dentistry now to schedule your next dental appointment right now.
