Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums

Several of our members and readers have been requesting that we outline the program that we used to regenerate our teeth and gums, back in 2001.  We have continued this program with varying levels of commitment, since that time.

Our Histories

Michael was a smoker for 18 years.  He had orthodontal work done when he was young, with full braces, tooth extractions, and wisdom tooth extractions. He had cavities that had been filled with mercury fillings; and significant gum pockets with some gum infection.  He also had a couple crowns, and his teeth moved out of alignment when he slept.  He often clenched and ground his teeth when he was asleep.  Dental x-rays showed that he had a root canal or two in the past.  (In 2011 Michael had a restoration done which added more crowns.  At first, he felt as though he had failed, since he was unable to remineralize his teeth.  However, the dentist looked at his x-rays and told him that he had the best bone density and healthiest roots that he had ever seen!  Under the surface, all kinds of regeneration had been taking place).

I also had orthodontal work done as a child, with full braces, tooth extractions, and wisdom teeth extractions.   The work required small hooks to be drilled into my teeth, which created my first cavities, which were filled with mercury amalgam.  I also have discoloration on all of my teeth from fluoride in the water where I was born.

We started this program back around the year 2001.   Today, we are both very happy with the health of our teeth, gums, and bone structure.  Even the whiteness of my teeth has remarkably improved over the last few years.  Here is our tooth care program.

Every morning:  

• Begin the day with Oil Pulling.  Here is a great little article on how to do it:  http://wellnessmama.com/7866/oil-pulling-for-oral-health/   We swish for 10 to 15 minutes.  We use cold pressed sunflower oil for this, and have had great results.  Recently I have switched to Coconut oil, for a little difference in flavor.  (I see no difference as to the result).
• Follow with tooth brushing, using a natural toothpaste--the best ones are the ones you make yourself.  See MY FAVORITE TOOTHPASTE RECIPE below.
• Follow by swishing the mouth out with food grade hydrogen peroxide, diluted to about 3%.

During the day:

• Use floss or toothbrush after eating.  
• If you are dealing with gum infection or pockets, swab your gums with 10 drops of Marigold Extract (Calendula officianalis) mixed with 1/4 teaspoon raw honey.  Follow this in 5 minutes with swishing hydrogen peroxide as above.

Every Evening:

• End the day with tooth brushing, using your favorite home made toothpaste or tooth powder.
• ALWAYS end with oral irrigating;  we prefer the Oxyfresh oral irrigator, there is also a good one made by Water Pik.  This is really one of the biggest keys to keeping your teeth long into the future.  (My Dad started out with poor teeth as a kid, lots of cavities--then in his 30's he started using an oral irrigator every day.  He is 85 now and still has his teeth--thanks to Water Pik!).

Tea for regenerating teeth:

Teeth need lots of healthy minerals and trace minerals.  Calcium is a big one, but without the proper balance of Calcium, Magnesium, and Sodium (not the kind you find in Morton's salt!) the teeth will lose calcium no matter how much of it you try to supplement.  Always look to the magnesium and sodium levels first if you are going to try to supplement your diet to re-calcify your teeth.

Many really good minerals are provided in this nourishing tea.  You can use this one for up to 3 months, then it is time to change the formula a little, by removing horsetail and comfrey, and replacing them with cleavers, plantain, and dandelion leaf.

• Mix together dried herbs:  1/2 cup horsetail, 1/2 cup damiana leaf, 1/2 cup raspberry leaf, 1 cup nettles, 1 cup dandelion leaf, 1 cup comfrey leaf*, 2 teaspoons clover leaf, 2 teaspoons yellow dock root powder, 2 teaspoons sarsaparilla root powder.  Mix well, store in a glass jar, and label.
• Use 1 Tablespoon of the above tea in 1 quart of boiling water.  Let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain it and drink the whole quart through the day.  Drink the tea daily to support the regeneration of teeth and gums.

*Comfrey  is regarded as toxic by some sources.  It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are known to irritate the liver.  Herbalists to not consider this amazing plant to be toxic at all--even though it contains this toxic substance in its list of constituents.  Because it also contains a number of balancing constituents that neutralize this effect, comfrey has actually been used to heal the liver and digestive system for many generations, without toxicity issues.  I encourage everyone to research the issue and make their own informed decision as to whether to use it or not.  The recipe will be effective with or without the comfrey added.

MY FAVORITE RE-MINERALIZING TOOTHPASTE RECIPE 

5 T. Calcium carbonate powder

1 T. Kaolin clay  (if not using baking soda, increase this to 2 T.)

1 T. Baking soda (I often make the recipe without this ingredient)

1 T. Pascalite clay

3 T. xylitol powder (or 13 drops stevia extract)

3 to 5 T. Coconut oil

10 drops Concentrace trace mineral supplement

A few drops of essential oils, your choice of Peppermint, Spearmint, Orange, Lemon, Cinnamon, Cassia, Clove, Myrrh, Lemon Ironbark, Vanilla, or Grapefruit.  (Nice combinations are Peppermint/Orange, or Cassia/Lemon).  

First, ground up the calcium carbonate in a blender or food processor, if it is in tablet form.  Add all dry ingredients into a small mixing bowl.  Mix together well.  

Add the rest of the ingredients, saving the coconut oil till the end.  Add one tablespoon at a time of the coconut oil, mixing after each one.  Stop adding it when you reach the desired consistency. 

Store toothpaste in a small mason jar or buy your own reusable toothpaste tube here.  If you use a mason jar, use a popsicle stick to scoop toothpaste out onto your toothbrush and avoid contaminating the paste.

Another great recipe for remineralizing tooth paste is here; check it out.

A Note About Regenerating Your Teeth

More and more dentists are believing that it can be done.   More and more people are doing it.  You can do it with just a little commitment, intention, and action!

Remember, you do not have to follow this program flawlessly to get spectacular results!  There are many days where I do only half of the things on the list, and I have achieved a level of health and regeneration to my teeth, that makes me smile.  Even if you commit to just one thing every day, such as using the Oral Irrigator, you will notice improvement.   And more will come in time, as long as you stay committed.

We welcome your comments--share your results with us!