As a small child, one of my more memorable traumas, was being smacked in the face by my dentist after I bit him. So it's possible my childhood dental care was not the best. By the time I made it to adulthood, I still had a lot of silver in my mouth -- even after losing many of my fillings with my baby teeth. I tell you this to suggest that I was not one of those people genetically predisposed to a cavity-free life. Then, as a young adult I was diagnosed with, "Deep pockets" and had to have some special procedures done to try to remedy this and improve the health of my gums. However, in recent years I have been having great check-ups and my hygienists are always amazed at how long I go between teeth cleanings, and yet my gum pockets have not increased and I typically have very little tarter. Would you believe, I've been going about 1-2 years between teeth cleanings for the past decade? Not only that, I seldom replace my tooth brush -- using the same one for about a year or more before replacing it. (But I do dip it in Hydrogen peroxide every few weeks!)
Maybe I've just been lucky. Or maybe it's a combination of my diet and dental hygiene. Some scientific research has suggested that our teeth and the health of our heart are linked. For twenty five years I have eaten a diet entirely free of dietary cholesterol, (so no meat/fish dairy nor eggs) and for much of that time I have eaten mostly whole foods, and especially emphasized beans and greens, while increasingly eating less oil and sugar. I've also completely eliminated gluten for close to ten years. But I do eat a lot of dried fruit in my baking and desserts -- something that can make teeth more cavity prone.
But about three years ago, I have developed a little regimen for my teeth. I stumbled upon this as I explored ways to deal with the issue of teeth sensitivity to cold/heat/sweets that I was developing. I was wanting something non-toxic and cheep to deal with this issue. Not only did I find something that completely eliminated my sensitivity, but my most recent check up was the best I've ever had. Not only were there no cavities, but I was told my pockets were gone. Here's what's really amazing -- It had been three years, since I even went to the dental hygienist -- and she barely had to scrape any of my teeth.
Most (but not all) evenings, after I brush my teeth with the lowest priced, non-fluoridated, vegan, gluten free toothpaste I can purchase, I then floss my teeth -- using a sawing motion as I raise and lower the floss on both sides of each tooth. Next I take my damp toothbrush and place about 1/4 teaspoon of calcium citrate powder on it and brush my teeth again. Sometimes I even wait a few minutes before rinsing it while I do a few other things to get ready for bed. I suspect that the calcium citrate not only fills in tiny openings in teeth that when open, may make the nerves more sensitive to chemicals and temperature changes, but that by doing this right after flossing, when gums sometimes bleed, it may also facilitate calcium getting into the tissue around the teeth, and perhaps serving some useful purpose there.
All I know, is that my teeth are no longer sensitive, and my dentist told me that teeth and gums look good. And I am saving money. By the way, I drink unfluoridated water, and never get fluoride treatments from the dentist.
Maybe I've just been lucky. Or maybe it's a combination of my diet and dental hygiene. Some scientific research has suggested that our teeth and the health of our heart are linked. For twenty five years I have eaten a diet entirely free of dietary cholesterol, (so no meat/fish dairy nor eggs) and for much of that time I have eaten mostly whole foods, and especially emphasized beans and greens, while increasingly eating less oil and sugar. I've also completely eliminated gluten for close to ten years. But I do eat a lot of dried fruit in my baking and desserts -- something that can make teeth more cavity prone.
But about three years ago, I have developed a little regimen for my teeth. I stumbled upon this as I explored ways to deal with the issue of teeth sensitivity to cold/heat/sweets that I was developing. I was wanting something non-toxic and cheep to deal with this issue. Not only did I find something that completely eliminated my sensitivity, but my most recent check up was the best I've ever had. Not only were there no cavities, but I was told my pockets were gone. Here's what's really amazing -- It had been three years, since I even went to the dental hygienist -- and she barely had to scrape any of my teeth.
Most (but not all) evenings, after I brush my teeth with the lowest priced, non-fluoridated, vegan, gluten free toothpaste I can purchase, I then floss my teeth -- using a sawing motion as I raise and lower the floss on both sides of each tooth. Next I take my damp toothbrush and place about 1/4 teaspoon of calcium citrate powder on it and brush my teeth again. Sometimes I even wait a few minutes before rinsing it while I do a few other things to get ready for bed. I suspect that the calcium citrate not only fills in tiny openings in teeth that when open, may make the nerves more sensitive to chemicals and temperature changes, but that by doing this right after flossing, when gums sometimes bleed, it may also facilitate calcium getting into the tissue around the teeth, and perhaps serving some useful purpose there.
All I know, is that my teeth are no longer sensitive, and my dentist told me that teeth and gums look good. And I am saving money. By the way, I drink unfluoridated water, and never get fluoride treatments from the dentist.
