Tooth Soap/Dental questions

[zmom]

I just got back from having my first cavity in 15 years filled.

I assume that it's the post-pregnancy/ currently BF'ing cavity and am hopeful that there aren't more to come. I had some problems years ago with slightly receeding gum lines but those were taken care of but since the pregnancy (dd is 1), my gum lines have been tender at the tooth. I brush 2x a day and floss most days and still the problems. I live in a small town with no homeopathic or alternative doctors. Anyone out there have any suggestions as to what I can do to help my teeth and keep from having to have the horrible scaling or more cavities filled? Anyone know anything about tooth soap?

Thanks in advance for help!

zmom

[JaneS]

Your body is probably stressed by childbirth and bf'ing and needs more minerals... but you must have been doing something right for the last 15 years

The best nutritional advice I've ever gotten on this subject is from Weston Price's research
http://www.mercola.com/2001/jan/21/weston_price.htm
http://www.westonaprice.org/sitemap.html
and the cookbook based on his work, "Nourishing Traditions"

Homemade bone broths, cod liver oil and high vitamin butter everyday is found to work like magic for remineralizing teeth. I'm actually surprised that his findings don't come up more on a natural living board... I feel like I'm the only one that keeps mentioning him.

The tooth soap proposed by a dentist named Judd I think, is very interesting to me... using soap instead of toothpaste with glycerin. Apparently the glycerin requires about 22 washes with water to get it off. Therefore, a film stays on the teeth and prevents adequate remineralization of the teeth by normal action of the saliva (which contains calcium and other minerals).

http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/chri...h_to_death.htm

[Aquaduct]

Yeah, I think the Weston Price info. is just so good.

I believe vitamin D is important for bone and teeth health, so getting a 10 or 20 minute blast of midday sun is important. The Weston Price people have great articles on this; apparently the right ultraviolet light from the sun for causing vit. D to be manufactured by the skin is only around on cloudless days between 10 and 2pm. And 85% of your skin ought to be exposed.

Another useful tip I have just found our from a classmate of mine at homeopathic college who is a very knowledgeabel naturopath, is to gargle on a mouthful of water with 1/4 tsp of Celtic or Himalayan salt. This helps the enamel to remineralise.

Like Jane says, remineralising is very important. Good quality water which has some natural minerals in it is helpful too.

You could also try using an ionic toothbrush... it is the latest thing and a lot of intelligent people I know swear by them. The great thing about them is they are cheaper than electric toothbrushes.

[bigcrunchie]

maybe consider xylitol products? DS has early childhood caries and we're using xylitol, and I just ordered Tooth Mousse (not the most natural at all but it helps w/ remineralizing teeth). Oravive and Recaldent are other remineralizing pastes.

[Ruthla]

So the only advantage tooth soap has over standard toothpaste is the lack of glycerin? I've been brushing my teeth with just baking soda- would tooth soap have any advantages over baking soda?

[zmom]

Originally Posted by bigcrunchie

maybe consider xylitol products? DS has early childhood caries and we're using xylitol, and I just ordered Tooth Mousse (not the most natural at all but it helps w/ remineralizing teeth). Oravive and Recaldent are other remineralizing pastes.

so what exactly is xylitol?

these posts are very helpful. I'll give some of the suggestions a try. Sadly, I have to work M-F and I live in Texas so 85% exposure to mid-day cloud cover sun isn't really an option here! It's like 95F out today and bright and shiny! :LOL

thanks for the responses everyone!

[Annikate]

I'm interested in this thread because I, too, just got back from some cavity fillings - except I had 12!!
I faithfully had teeth cleanings, (extras while pregnant) but it had been about 2 yrs. since x-rays ,etc. I'm told that hormones due to my pregnancies and b'feeding are to blame, BUT . . . I don't want any new problems.

I assume that it's the post-pregnancy/ currently BF'ing cavity and am hopeful that there aren't more to come. I had some problems years ago with slightly receeding gum lines but those were taken care of but since the pregnancy (dd is 1), my gum lines have been tender at the tooth. I brush 2x a day and floss most days and still the problems.

zmom, can you tell me what you did to take care of your slightly receeding gum lines?

I'm going to be lurking to find out what others have to say about the remineralization too!
TIA!

[JaneS]

Best thing I ever did for my gums is gargling with the sodium ascorbate version of vitamin C several times a day.

[Annikate]

Thanks Jane, I'm going to try it!

[zmom]

Originally Posted by Anniekatemom

I'm interested in this thread because I, too, just got back from some cavity fillings - except I had 12!!
I faithfully had teeth cleanings, (extras while pregnant) but it had been about 2 yrs. since x-rays ,etc. I'm told that hormones due to my pregnancies and b'feeding are to blame, BUT . . . I don't want any new problems.



zmom, can you tell me what you did to take care of your slightly receeding gum lines?

I'm going to be lurking to find out what others have to say about the remineralization too!
TIA!

Ugh, I had to have under the gums cleaned up at the dentist office. I'm not sure exactly what they did to them (it was 5-6 years ago) but they had to numb them and scrape out all the plaque and somehow that made them go back to where they were supposed to be. Now since the pregnancy, I'm feeling some sensitivity around my gum lines and I'm freaking out that it's happening again because I'm a wimp when it comes to the dentist.

I just found at my health food store some aruyvedic (I think I spelled that wrong) toothpaste that has all kinds of nice oils in it and no glycerin so I'm giving that a try. Plus I found some mouthwash that is tea-tree oil based (which I've heard is good for the gums) and also doesn't have glycerin in it so I've been using that as well.

I think I'll try that Vitamin C rinse that was recommended too.

Here's hoping for the best teeth for us all!

[mum22girls]

I would love to hear what others are doing for receeding gums. After the birth of my second child it seems that my gums have gotten worst. I went to see a periodontists and his recommendation is gum surgery to close the pockets I have due to bone loss and receeding gums. I have been taking my calcium and CO Cq10 spplements.

What else can I do to reverse the effects of my receeding gums? Any ideas?

Thanks

[marquesa]

tooth soap

If you go to the website www.toothsoap.com you will find that it is not just the toothsoap product but their is an additional booklet which expalins the philosophy behind it. I absolutly love their product and wish I had found it sooner it has really helped my gums and teeth get in better shape than they have ee in a long time.

[Siana]

never mind

[cheekymaiden]

Get Dental/Tooth Soap Here!

Hi Everyone,

I know this thread is old, but I thought I'd post in case someone else stumbles on it.

I make Dental Soap. I sell it for only .99/chunk.

www.cheekymaidensoap.com/oralhealth.html

Be Well,
Melissa Burgess
Cheeky Maiden Soap Company
REALLY Natural Soap!

[cheekymaiden]

I make tooth soap, and yes it has advantages. It is specifically formulated for the teeth. Normally soap is made to have extra fats left over, for conditioning your skin. I leave this out for the dental soap and it helps the taste to be more mild.
I also have a dental soap with Xylitol in it and the taste is GREATLY affected by the addition of xylitol! It's actually quite pleasant to use and your mouth just feels soooo clean!
You can check out my stuff at www.cheekymaidensoap.com/oralhealth.html

The other difference between tooth soap and tooth paste is also that tooth paste also has sand and silica, artificial flavorings and sweeteners and other yucky stuff.

One advantage dental soap would have over baking soda would be it's natural antibacterial abilities and also the flavors that are added. The peppermint helps with morning breath and the clove is just out of this world yummy.

Originally Posted by Ruthla

So the only advantage tooth soap has over standard toothpaste is the lack of glycerin? I've been brushing my teeth with just baking soda- would tooth soap have any advantages over baking soda?

[Koalamom]

Originally Posted by mum22girls

I would love to hear what others are doing for receeding gums. After the birth of my second child it seems that my gums have gotten worst. I went to see a periodontists and his recommendation is gum surgery to close the pockets I have due to bone loss and receeding gums. I have been taking my calcium and CO Cq10 spplements.

What else can I do to reverse the effects of my receeding gums? Any ideas?

Thanks

I second the vitamic C for receeding gums (or any other gum problem). I use the all natural kind called camu camu. It is an amazonian fruit, andI take it in powder form. I used to have red bleeding receeding gums, and now they are beautiful, light pink, and healthy. I also use Ioxan from Baar.com to swish with after brushing and flossing, and it feels amazing. It is formulated from the famous Edgar Cayce.