Improving dental health -- Is there a quick start guide???

[stacim]

I know there are other threads on this topic. I have looked at them a bit, but I must admit, I am a bit overwhelmed.

I really want to take some steps quickly to improve the dental health of my family, especially dh and myself. I am fortunate that my children are cavity free (except the v. small beginning on one primary tooth of one ds), so far. I have a mouth full of amalgam , but that's a whole different post. I also have a tooth that I had been advised to have a root canal on, but I desperately don't want to. The tooth is getting more sensitive, though, and I need to do something about it. DH only has one small composite filling, but now it looks like he may have another cavity.

From what I have read so far, it sounds like HVCLO and BO are two recommendations, and I know we need to improve our diet (again, a whole different post).

What else am I missing?

Thanks,
Staci

[stacim]

Anyone???

[lindberg99]

Do you use xylitol at all? In toothpaste or gum?

Why don't you want to get a root canal?

[tamagotchi]

I think the closest thing to a "quick start guide" is the "cliff notes" thread:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=537933

[stacim]

Originally Posted by lindberg99

Do you use xylitol at all? In toothpaste or gum?

Why don't you want to get a root canal?

I have never used xylitol, as I just learned about it on this site. I am looking into right now and trying to figure out the best source for getting it. Do you know if stores like Whole Foods would carry it?

As for the root canal, I have read and heard that there can be lots of issues surrounding root canals. I have had one before, so it's not a fear issue. I just want to consider all of my options before I shell out $$$$ for a root canal that could further jeopardize my oral health and may or may not work. If there is any chance that I can improve the condition of what tooth I have left and maybe just have it built up and crowned, I would much prefer that route. I don't know if that is realistic or not, but I want to be more proactive this time around instead of just doing the first thing the dentist says.

[stacim]

Originally Posted by tamagotchi

I think the closest thing to a "quick start guide" is the "cliff notes" thread:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=537933

That's what I figured. I will have to try to sift through it when feeling a little less overwhelmed.

Thanks,
Staci

[lindberg99]

I found this too, but she recommends fluoride. But she does have info about xylitol so might be worth a look even if you don't use fluoride.

http://www.cleanwhiteteeth.com/index.htm

[stacim]

Originally Posted by lindberg99

I found this too, but she recommends fluoride. But she does have info about xylitol so might be worth a look even if you don't use fluoride.

http://www.cleanwhiteteeth.com/index.htm

Thanks. I think someone else recently posted this link. Her info sounds very intriguing. I still need to learn a bit more about the issues with fluoride. There is just so much information out there. :

[lindberg99]

Oops, I didn't know someone else had posted the link.

I do have to wonder about her recommendation not to floss. I've been flossing for so long, the thought of not doing it kind of wigs me out, thinking about what is growing between my teeth.

Yes, there is a lot of info out there! That's one big problem with the web, information overload.

[sparkprincess]

I purchased a lb of xylitol of off vitacost.com. I use that in my tea and such. It wasn't very expensive either.

For me personally, I've also been taking calcium, magnesium, and CLO. Being very careful about sugar intake. We also purchased a water pic and use that nightly.

[newbymom05]

Maybe I'm not understanding the root canal procedure, but don't they eliminate the nerve, preventing not only pain, but future infection? This is obviously JMO but if you're told you need a root canal, get it--if your tooth abcessess it will be worse and more expensive to repair, and you will have mind-blowing pain and be on abx to boot.

There is a dental group on yahoo for kids--veryyoungkidsteeth--that has a lot of good dental info. A dental practioner who posts suggests disinfecting your family's toothbrushes and mouths monthly w/ either a tea tree oil solution or chlorahexidrene (sp?). This kills the strep mutans bacteria that cause caries.

[stacim]

I'm just not sure of how confident I am in this dentist's recommendation. He is very mainstream and I really think I need to find someone for another opinion. I do believe that some dentists may jump to a root canal too quickly. I hate to think they are seeing $$$. A lot of root canals fail, too.

Thanks for the yahoo group, I will check that out.

~Staci

Originally Posted by newbymom05

Maybe I'm not understanding the root canal procedure, but don't they eliminate the nerve, preventing not only pain, but future infection? This is obviously JMO but if you're told you need a root canal, get it--if your tooth abcessess it will be worse and more expensive to repair, and you will have mind-blowing pain and be on abx to boot.

There is a dental group on yahoo for kids--veryyoungkidsteeth--that has a lot of good dental info. A dental practioner who posts suggests disinfecting your family's toothbrushes and mouths monthly w/ either a tea tree oil solution or chlorahexidrene (sp?). This kills the strep mutans bacteria that cause caries.

[stacim]

Hi Jenn! I just noticed you are in St. Louis. So am I!

I will check out vitacost. Do you know if stores like Whole Foods carry xylitol?

~Staci

Originally Posted by sparkprincess

I purchased a lb of xylitol of off vitacost.com. I use that in my tea and such. It wasn't very expensive either.

For me personally, I've also been taking calcium, magnesium, and CLO. Being very careful about sugar intake. We also purchased a water pic and use that nightly.

[newbymom05]

Originally Posted by stacim

I'm just not sure of how confident I am in this dentist's recommendation. He is very mainstream and I really think I need to find someone for another opinion. I do believe that some dentists may jump to a root canal too quickly. I hate to think they are seeing $$$. A lot of root canals fail, too.

Thanks for the yahoo group, I will check that out.

~Staci

Ask to see the x-ray. Around here, a lot of dentists won't even do root canals and will refer you to someone else. I didn't want to have one done either, but they showed me the xray of my tooth w/ lots of decay under an existing filling, and I could see that if the decay continued and went into the nerve, I would be in big, painful trouble. Again, maybe i'm not understanding the point of a root canal, but I thought it was to prevent pain because there was decay near the root.

G/L, tooth problems are such a PIA. Also, you can buy xlylitol online and Sprouts and WF carry it in bags. It's kind of pricey IMO.

[lindberg99]

I had a root canal on my front tooth when I was in high school and I had to go see a different dentist. I think he was an endodontist?? He had a sports car in the parking lot with a license plate that said PULPS.

Good luck.