Better than a Dentist: 10 Ways to Heal Your Teeth

A healthy mouth begins with nutrients

What is tooth decay?
Like other plagues of the 21st century, including heart disease, autoimmunity, and diabetes, tooth decay results from chronic stress and nutrient deficiencies.
To understand the relationship between nutrition and tooth decay, one must understand how cavities are formed.

How teeth decay and cavities form

1. Consider your enamel – the hard, protective coating on your teeth – like tightly packed cardboard boxes. The minerals calcium and phosphorous fill the boxes, making them strong. When the boxes are not filled with these minerals, the enamel weakens and wears away.
2. Every time you eat a carbohydrate, it feeds native bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria produce the byproduct lactic acid which, when left on the tooth, causes demineralization. This is called acid erosion.
3. Remineralization occurs when saliva neutralizes the acidic environment. This triggers the teeth to strengthen those cardboard boxes of enamel with minerals.
4. Loss of enamel results when demineralization outperforms remineralization. Nutrient deficiencies and excess intake of carbohydrate pave the way for enamel degradation.
5. Acidic beverages notoriously demineralize teeth. The most common offenders include soda and lemon water. (Drink your morning lemon water through a straw) Rinsing the mouth after drinking something acidic can help. (that, and simply avoid soda).
6. Sensitive teeth often results from acid erosion. Enamel demineralization exposes nerve endings in the teeth, creating a sensitivity to cold, hot, acidic and sticky food.
7. Cavities result when acid erosion eats through the layer of enamel into the underlying soft tissue.
Is it possible to restore enamel and heal cavities?
Sensitive teeth, tooth decay and even cavities have been healed nutritionally. When enamel is gone, it is gone. Those cardboard boxes have disintegrated and cannot be rebuilt. The remaining boxes, however, can be strengthened to protect the soft tissues of the teeth. The restoration of remaining enamel is often effective enough to reverse cavities.

The Marriage of Dentistry and Nutrition
Dr. Weston Price, a dentist who identified and articulated the relationship between a traditional diet and oral health. A dentist, Dr. Price traveled the world to discover the secrets of healthy people and found that nutrient-rich diets dictated oral health. Cultures adhering to the traditional, local diets of their ancestors had almost no tooth decay, even though they didn’t practiceoral hygiene.
When their ancestors consumed a nutrient-rich diet, and the children themselves consumed nutrient-dense foods from birth, children were physically strong, mentally healthy, had strikingly beautiful bone structure, and indiscernable levels of tooth decay:
When parents strayed from the traditional diets of their tribes and when children grew up consuming refined foods, it led to poor bone structure and tooth decay:
The following nutritional recommendations are inspired by the work of Dr. Price outlined in his landmark  Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. After his travels, Dr. Price began treating his  dental patients through dietary recommendations before dental work.

Below are the nutritional and oral care steps to support remineralization and a healthy mouth.
Step 1: Restore enamel naturally with nutrition

1. Eliminate refined sugar and grains
According to a study in the British Medical Journal, cavities and tooth decay can potentially be reversed with nutrition. Participants in this study who ate a grain free diet supplemented with vitamin D showed a dramatic healing in their cavities. The group of participants who ate a diet high in grains, however, continued to form cavities.
Not only does the starch content of grains feed the acid-producing bacteria, grains house a compound called phytic acid. Phytic acid is an anti-nutrient which blocks the absorption of minerals including calcium. Traditional cultures across the globe inherently knew how to better access the minerals in grains by soaking and fermenting the grains. Fermented grain products such as old-fashioned sourdough can be easier to digest, but I recommend a completely grain free lifestyle to address tooth decay.

2. Emphasize Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Dr. Price found that the health-promoting diets of traditional cultures contained 10 times the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K2) than the cultures subsisting on refined foods. Fat-soluble vitamins play a crucial role in remineralization because they help the body absorb minerals.
In the protocol Dr. Price’s implemented to heal tooth decay in children, he fed them one “reinforced meal” six days a week. This meal emphasized the following foods, all extremely high in fat-soluble vitamins:

Cold-pressed cod liver oil – 1/2 teaspoon per meal
High-vitamin butter, which came from grass-grazing cows – 1/2 teaspoon, plus additional grassfed butter in the meal
Raw, grassfed milk – two glasses per meal
To obtain fat-soluble vitamins in your home-cooked meals, enjoy the following sources:
Grassfed ghee, used as your primary cooking fat. Ghee is lactose-free and virtually casein-free, so it is tolerated by those who may not do well with dairy (but is not suitable for those with true casein allergies).
Cold-pressed cod liver oil, taken as a supplement.
Grassfed raw milk, if you tolerate dairy products
Pasture-raised lamb, pork, and beef – particularly the fatty cuts of meat and the organs.

3. Consume Enough Minerals
We need to provide the body with the raw ingredients – Calcium and Phosphorus – for remineralization. Dr. Price’s reinforced meals for addressing tooth decay contained about 1.48 grams of calcium and 1.28 grams of phosphorus. The accepted requirement for these minerals were only .68 grams of calcium and 1.32 grams of phosphorus.
The children in the treatment group enjoyed the following mineral-rich main courses in their reinforced meals:
Organ meats from pasture-raised animals
Fish chowder (likely made with mineral-rich fish stock) or
Meat stews, fortified with bone marrow
Dr. Price’s nutritional program of one fortified meal per day “completely controlled the dental caries of each member of the group.” (Source.)
For more details and case studies on addressing tooth decay with these three nutritional principles, I recommend the book Heal Tooth Decay by Dr. Ramiel Nagel.

4. Support Nutrient Assimilation
We are not what we eat. We are the nutrients our body absorbs. Compromised digestion inhibits the
absorption of Calcium and Phosphorous from our food. If we can’t absorb these minerals, our teeth can’t use them for remineralization.
Consider stomach acid the digestive fire that converts your food into fuel . It’s not surprising that 90% of Americans are likely deficient in this gastric juice, since stress, medications, and nutrient deficiencies all impair stomach acid. 

5. Stop Snacking
Snacking not only takes a toll on the digestive system (those organs demand a break for rejuvenation), a constant intake of food may impede the remineralization process. Snacking on carbohydrate-rich foods gives those mouth bacteria constant fuel and may prevent saliva from restoring the mouth pH.
Our evolutionary roots indicate that we are designed to eat larger quantities of food, less frequently, and in social mealtime settings. If you find yourself snacking between meals, it likely indicates the following imbalances:
A daily blood-sugar-rollercoaster due to the consumption of high glycemic foods.
Inadequate intake of nutrients, particularly healthy fats, at meals.
Deeply-ingrained lifestyle patterns, such as social snacking in the workplace or boredom snacking in front of the TV.
Step 2: Support enamel restoration with oral care

6. Practice Oil Pulling
If I wanted to entertain my tongue for 15 minutes, I’d much prefer eating or kissing than swishing around a tablespoon of oil. The first time I tried oil pulling, an Ayurvedic technique for improving gum and teeth health, I managed only a few minutes before my gag reflex insisted that I spit out the oil. But nobody ever said holistic health was always convenient, and I was determined to give this healing technique a significant trial period before I discounted it.
Within just a few days, I was able to oil pull for a full 15 minutes. I no longer oil pull regularly, but I do recommend it for those who need to go the extra mile to support healthy teeth. Oil pulling moisturizes the gums and helps remove bacterial build-up. You can use plain coconut oil or sesame oil, but I use this Daily Swish Oil Pulling Blend. For instructions on Oil Pulling, check out Wellness Mama’s tutorial.

7. Avoid Fluoride in Dental Care and Toothpaste
Fluoride is a neurotoxin. It does not belong in your toothpaste, your mouth, or your water supply. The FluorideAction Network points out the following:
Contrary to popular belief, countries with fluoridated water do not have lower levels of tooth decay.
By FDA definition, fluoride is medicine, but it is not FDA approved. “With fluoridation, we are adding to the water a prescription-strength dose of a drug that has never been approved by the FDA,” FAN notes.
50 studies have linked fluoride exposure with lower IQ in children.

8. Avoid Glycerine in Oral Care
Many holistic dentists err on the side of avoidance when using glycerine in oral hygiene. Dr. Gerard Judd is most commonly cited by those who recommend avoidance of glycerine. According to Dr. Judd’s albeit controversial statements, this slippery, thick emulsifier can create a coating on teeth that may impede the remineralization process. When this was brought to my awareness, I was please that Earthpaste is free of this controversial ingredient.

9. Use a Tongue Scraper
Unlike oil pulling, I comply diligently with the Ayurvedic practice of tongue scraping. I use a Ayurvedic Tongue Scraper each morning after brushing my teeth. It can help lessen the bacterial load in the mouth by removing debris and bacteria build-up.

10. Choose the Right Toothpaste
I’ve used Earthpaste for the last four years because each ingredient is a safe and active ingredient for dental health.
Mineral-rich clay provides cleansing qualities to remove build-up and bacteria, while supporting the proper pH of the mouth.
Unprocessed salt offers gentle abrasion to polish teeth, as well as anti-bacterial properties.
Tea tree oil fights the bacteria that lead to acid erosion.
Essential oils add natural flavor without artificial ingredients.
Xylitol is a natural sweetener recommended by dentists because it may impair bacteria from sticking to the teeth. Earthpaste sources non-GMO xylitol. I don’t use xylitol as a sweetener in my food, but I believe it is an excellent ingredient in oral care. Earthpaste also offers a non-sweetened, xylitol-free option.

A healthy mouth means a healthy body.

Good Health to you!

How to test stomach acid level at home from Magdalena Hormones Balance

I had a problems that started a few years ago where my digestion was not working well. I added in HCL, pancreatic enzymes, bile and other enzymes. I was faithful to take these supplements with each meal. When I thought I was doing well, I cut back on the amount I was taking. Overtime I feel like I have filled up my enzyme bank and don't need to take as much or as often. 

 1. Digestion and hormones - The health of your digestion is CRITICAL

for overall health as well as your hormone balance. I've personally

never met a person struggling with digestive issues (such as

bloating, constipation, IBS, loose stools, gas and acid reflux) and

enjoying excellent overall health and balanced hormones.

2. Stomach acid - There’s a difference between enzymes and stomach

acid. These issues are addressed in one of the articles linked below,

and I also want to show you how to test for stomach acid at home.

3. Digestive Enzymes - These can turn your digestive health around

substantially (more on that below, plus the very information-rich and

inspiring interview with Steve Wright). This is especially relevant if

you suffer from many food sensitivities and chronic bloating.

How digestion impacts your hormones

Your gut is like the Grand Central station in your body because it’s where

processes such as the absorption of nutrients, immune responses, and

energy production occur. As hormone production also takes place there,

an unhealthy leaky gut can compromise or shake up your levels of:

Estrogen: A leaky gut does not effectively excrete “dirty” estrogens (they

are antagonistic metabolites) out of your body. Instead, they stay in

circulation, causing Estrogen Dominance.

Estrobolome: This is a subset of bacteria in the gut that helps to

metabolize estrogens and disarm the “dirty” estrogens (which are the

harmful estrogen metabolites) that cause cancers in the thyroid, breast and ovaries.

How to test stomach acid level at home

 Most people with leaky gut have a host of estrogen

problems.

Thyroid hormones: Part of your conversion of T4 thyroid hormone into the

stronger, more active T3 form, occurs in your gut—but may be

compromised if your gut is unhealthy.

Chronic inflammation of hormone receptors: Chronic digestive distress

leads to chronic inflammation. This long-lasting inflammation shuts down

hormone receptors making the update of hormones highly inefficient.

Inflammation is also the root cause of various conditions, including

diabetes, heart disease, and hormonal imbalances.

Sleep and mood hormones: Around 80-90% of serotonin (your happiness

hormone) and melatonin (which induces sleep and is produced from

serotonin, in total darkness) are made in your gut. That production can go

haywire due to a leaky gut. Poor sleep makes hormone imbalances

worse.

Insulin levels: The healthier your gut function, the more stable your blood

glucose, the less you crave sugar and the less insulin you release. On the

flip-side, an unhealthy gut can predispose you to insulin resistance, where

your energy cycle doesn’t work properly, which also reduces your ability to

burn fat.

Appetite hormones: An inflamed, unhealthy gut promotes unhealthy

bacteria that can change your levels of ghrelin (which makes you hungry)

and leptin (which signals when you’re full). It can also impact the food you

crave and your taste receptors.

Here are a few helpful resources on digestion:

Learn why digestion is so important in hormone health.

Find out if you have sufficient stomach acid.

The importance of sufficient stomach acid

Stomach acid, or Hydrochloric acid (HCl), is secreted by the stomach to

help digest and absorb proteins and other nutrients that we consume in our

diet. HCl also serves to protect us by killing various pathogenic

microorganisms (parasites, yeast, bacteria) that might otherwise cause

infection in the digestive tract.

Sufficiently digested food is key for giving the body the nutrients it needs to

function well, including producing hormones.

How to test your stomach acid levels at home

Method 1: Baking soda test (easy but not the most accurate)

You can very easily do this test at home.

1. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 4-6 ounces of cold or room

temperature water first thing in the morning, before eating or drinking

anything.

2. Drink the baking soda solution.

3. Time how long it takes you to belch.

4. If you do not belch within 3 minutes, stop timing.

5. If you do not belch, you have too little stomach acid. If you belch, you

are fine.

This is not the most effective test and it often produces false negatives

(meaning, it makes you think you have sufficient stomach acid). I,

therefore, recommend Method 2 below.

Method 2: The HCl pill test (recommended method)

The idea here is to dose the HCl pills until you feel a slight discomfort in

your stomach. When I was low on stomach acid (due to the bacteria

h.pylori), I had to take as many as seven pills to feel the warmth.

1. On Day One, start with one capsule (usually 500 to 750mg) of HCl,

at the beginning of each meal. Note: This means a full meal, not a

snack.

2. Watch for any feelings of warmth, discomfort, pain or burning in the

throat or stomach.

3. If you experience any of these symptoms after just one capsule, do

not take any more pills.

4. If these symptoms are NOT present, go to the next step.

5. On Day Two, increase your dose by one capsule (this would be two

capsules for a total of 1,000 to 1,500 mg for day two) of HCl at the

beginning of each full meal. If you feel any of the symptoms

mentioned above (warmth, discomfort, pain or burning in your throat

or stomach) decrease your dose to the level at which you had no

symptoms and maintain this dose.

6. If you do not feel these symptoms go to the next step.

7. On Day Three, increase your dose as previously described. Each day

increase the dose until you feel a warming sensation or until you

reach a dose of seven capsules per meal. Do not take more than

eight (8) capsules with a meal.

Hopefully this article will help with any digestive isssues.

Good Health to You

I came across this article and felt I had to share with you. It is definitely something to cook this winter.

The Ancient Healing Elixir that Boosts Health and

Immunity

thetruthaboutcancer.com/bone-broth-nutrition

Bone broth is an amazing nutritious substance that while certainly not new, is steadily

gaining in popularity with a whole new generation of cooks and health & fitness enthusiasts.

Even celebrities are speaking out about the benefits of bone broth nutrition. Actresses

Gwyneth Paltrow and Salma Hayek are just a few of the celebs who have publicly

proclaimed the numerous health benefits of this ancient savory recipe.

In fact, many people are calling bone broth “nature’s multivitamin” as it contains

multiple minerals and other chemical compounds that most people are lacking in their diet.

For example, bone broth is packed with:

Over 19 easy-to-absorb, essential and non-essential amino acids (the building blocks of

proteins)

Collagen/gelatin which helps form connective tissue and promotes strong hair and

nails

Nutrients that support your immune system, good digestion, and brain health

How to Make Bone Broth

As the name implies, bone broth is made by simmering animal bones for several

hours to release the nutrients found in the bones, cartilage, and marrow.

Vegetables, herbs, and spices are often added for flavor, along with a dash of vinegar to help

draw the nutrients from the bones. The resulting broth can be consumed alone, used as a

soup base, or added to sauces and other dishes.

Bone broth can be made from any type of animal bones, either cooked or raw. These include

chicken & other types of poultry, beef, lamb, wild game, and fish. The only real difference in

preparing different types of bone broth is the amount of time that the bones need to be

simmered. A broth made with fish bones, for example, only needs to simmer for a few hours,

while beef bones need to simmer for 48 hours or more to draw the maximum nutrients from

the bones.

The most important consideration when making bone broth is the quality of the ingredients

used. Bones from factory farmed animals that have been given hormones and antibiotics are

not a good choice. Look for the highest quality, organic sources available for all of

your bone broth ingredients.

6 Beneficial Nutrients Found in Bone Broth

1. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) – support collagen and elastin production which is

good for the structure of the body, skin, hair, and nails. GAGs also aid in digestive

health by helping to restore the intestinal lining. Important GAGs found in bone broth

include glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate.

2. Glucosamine (hydrochloride and sulfate) – Supports joint strength and mobility

by helping to maintain the integrity of cartilage (the rubbery substance within joints

that acts as a natural cushion to keep bones from rubbing together). Bone broth can be

a delicious and easy alternative to expensive glucosamine supplements for supporting

joint health.

3. Hyaluronic Acid – supports healthy tissues, including cell rejuvenation and skin

firmness. Hyaluronic acid is a common ingredient in anti-aging skin care products.

Bone broth provides the benefits from the inside out!

4. Chondroitin Sulfate – Often used along with glucosamine to support joint health.

Studies have shown that supplementing with chondroitin supports healthy

inflammation response as well as cardiovascular health, bone health, skin health, and

healthy cholesterol levels

5. Minerals and Electrolytes – Essential minerals, including electrolytes, found in

bone broth include calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as many other

minerals such as phosphorus. These minerals are important for supporting healthy

circulation, bone density, nerve signaling functions, heart health, and digestive health.

6. Collagen – Quality bone broth is a good source of collagen which has a number of

important functions in the body. These include helping to form connective tissue

(allowing for easier movement) and protecting and sealing the lining of the

gastrointestinal tract. Collagen is a complex protein that is a rich source of 19 amino

acids, many of which must be obtained from diet.

Bone Broth Nutrition for Cancer Patients

Bone broth is very high in both protein and nutrients and may be exceptionally beneficial for

people with cancer.

Cancer patients who undergo conventional cancer treatments (surgery, chemo, and

radiation) often experience a range of issues that impact eating. These can include: nausea,

vomiting, headache, tiredness, sore mouth and/or throat, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing,

loss of appetite, and changes in taste and smell of food.

After surgery, for example, the body requires extra calories and protein for wound healing

and recovery. However, this is also when most cancer patients have pain and feel tired and

often don’t feel up to eating. Bone broth is a great solution because it provides maximum

nutrition in an easy-to-swallow form that is easily digested. This is in contrast to

many other foods (especially solids) which can be difficult to fully break down.

The broth can be sipped alone, or turned into a base for soup to which you can add other

cancer-fighting ingredients (i.e. organic vegetables, turmeric root, ginger, etc). For cancer

patients who are experiencing a change in taste (or have lost their sense of taste) due to

chemotherapy or radiation, herbs and spices can be easily added to enhance the flavor of the

bone broth and make it more palatable.

Conversely, in The Truth About Cancer: A Global Quest, Dr. Russell Blaylock addressed the

topics of L-glutamine and glutamate in relation to cancer. L-glutamine is an amino acid

found in abundance in both plant and animal protein and is converted to glutamate

(glutamic acid) as needed by the body. This conversion is performed by an enzyme in your

cells called “glutaminase” and its function is to convert glutamine into glutamate.

According to Dr. Blaylock, the idea is to cut down on your glutamine intake. His premise is

that eating a lot of sugar and glutamine can stimulate the growth of cancer cells.

However, new studies are challenging this. We don’t believe that bone broth should be

avoided any more than we believe organic fruits (with natural sugar) should be avoided,

because both are foods that God made for our health. And there is a big difference between

synthetic, man-made chemical glutamate (like MSG or monosodium glutamate) and natural

glutamine.

Bone Broth Supports a Healthy Immune System

One of the most remarkable benefits of bone broth is its ability to support the gut. This

provides a holistic effect on the body which even supports healthy immune system function.

Leaky gut occurs when undigested particles from foods seep through tiny openings in the

weakened intestinal lining and enter the bloodstream. The immune system detects these

particles and becomes hyperactive which in turn increases inflammation. As the immune

system releases high levels of antibodies, it causes an autoimmune-like response and attacks

healthy tissue.

The collagen/gelatin and the amino acids proline, glutamine, and arginine in

traditionally-made bone broths help seal these openings in the gut lining and

promote gut integrity.

By restoring gut health, bone broth aids in supporting immune system function and healthy

inflammation response. As an added bonus, bone broth can even promote healthy sleep,

boost energy during the day, and support a healthy mood… all critical elements when healing

from cancer.

Article Summary

Contains multiple minerals and other chemical compounds that most people are

lacking in their diet.

Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones for several hours to release the

nutrients found in the bones, cartilage, and marrow.

Look for the highest quality, organic sources available for all of your bone broth

ingredients.

6 Beneficial Nutrients Found in Bone Broth

1. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

2. Glucosamine (hydrochloride and sulfate)

3. Hyaluronic Acid

4. Chondroitin Sulfate

5. Minerals and Electrolytes

6. Collagen

One of the most remarkable benefits of bone broth is its ability to support the gut.