I heard about remineralizing teeth for a while before learning more. Dentistry has been done with a similar philosophy for many years and many feel that there are other things that we can do to make our teeth stronger. Remineralizing is one of those methods that can help.
I’ve already given you some great oral health recipes and articles:
- Is Your Toothpaste Safe?
- 3 Homemade Natural Toothpaste Recipes
- Never Use Mouth Wash Again
- 3 Natural Mouth Wash Recipes (or alternatives)
- What is Oil Pulling?
These have outlined why a lot of the ingredients in your average day to day store bought products are unhealthy. Beyond the bad ingredients though is a need to understand what your teeth and body needs.
The Full Body Connection
Bad health in the mouth can lead to bad health in other parts of the body due to the connection of nerves – and the simple fact that you are not parts thrown together to make a whole as we so often examine the body, but are one whole person where a problem in one area can easily effect other parts.
It’s commonly understood that those undergoing cancer treatment will have oral health issues due to actual harm caused by the treatment itself. Yet, only recently studies are emerging to show that there seems to be a connection between previous oral health issues as a possible cause or trigger for some breast cancers and other oral cancers such as mouth and throat cancers (See 1, 2, 3, 4). I’m very interested in seeing how these studies progress.
Breaking Down our Teeth
Sugar. We know that sugars break down the enamel on our teeth. So do certain acids. Enamel is a soft layer covering our teeth, protecting teeth from infection and decay. To keep enamel strong, our overall diet and health must be strong. We should avoid or moderate things like:
- Sugars and daily starches (phytic acids)
- phosphoric acid (found in sodas)
- citric acids (fruit juices and sodas)
- some tooth whitening kits (overuse, some are acidic based, while others claim to not harm enamel…)
- Poor oral hygiene
Some people are just more genetically inclined to have weaker enamel. There are ways we can daily build up that enamel and strengthen our teeth.
I have to say something about our starch intake. We, as Americans, eat so many grains that our intake of phytic acids is very high. Phytic acids are also found in high quantities in oats, beans, and nuts. Studies have shown that diets high in phytic acids can cause a low absorption of minerals. 5 Does this mean you should go off of all beans and nuts? Well, if you are having problems with mineral absorption, bone or oral health issues, then for a time – yes!
How to Remineralize Teeth Naturally
This method is to replace the fluoride method of remineralization. Please do your own research into where your fluoride actually comes from (most in our water supply comes from sketchy sources in China, while American sources are from toxic runoff of fertilizer plants), and the amount that can be absorbed into the lining of your mouth if you think a swish and spit method is acceptable, and then determine if this replacement is right for you and your family.
This is not to replace a good diet. If you don’t eat good foods full of great minerals and nutrients, your body will not have those to send to your mouth when needed. No amount of brushing with remineralizing toothpaste will help.
Your teeth need calcium and phosphate. Calcium is stored inside your bones (mostly before you are 19 years old) and is depleted throughout the rest of your life when diet does not give enough – and no, I do not believe pasteurized and homogenized milk is the answer – raw is another story.
Step 1: Limit the problems listed above:
This is mainly a poor diet high in starches and sugars. Get away from sodas and sweet iced teas and coffees. All of these not only rob your body of minerals by the process mentioned above, but they also coat your teeth in a harmful way.
Step 2: Add minerals
You want to eat and possibly supplement with minerals – especially calcium and phosphorus. How do you do this naturally?
- Eat more dark leafy greens, broccoli, cabbages.
- Eat wild salmon and pumpkin seeds.
- Drink Bone Broth (Learn how to make your own).
Step 3: Add Vitamins
Make sure you are getting vitamins regularly, specifically A, D, E, and K. Without vitamin D, you will not properly absorb and balance calcium and phosphorus. Where do you get these vitamins easily?
- Yes, those lovely green leafy veggies again, as well as carrots and pumpkin
- Eat sweet potatoes and regular white potatoes instead of unsprouted grains.
Step 4: Eat Good Fats
There is a difference between good fats and bad fats. Bad fats are those that have been harmed by over heating (cells are harmed at the molecular level). Even a good quality olive oil will be a bad fat once it is over heated (some oils, like coconut oil, stay stable at high temperatures). GMO oils are modified so that they can withstand a ton of pesticides being dropped on them and not die. Besides the GMO debate of cellular morphing, there is also the chemical issue and mass production that leads to mineral depletion of the soil (yes they supplement but there are a lot more minerals we need besides the 3 common that are spread on the soil). Oils that are commonly GMO in America are soy (vegetable), corn, and canola oils. These oils are also considered bad because both issues I mentioned will strip the oil of nutrients. You get nothing but bad fat.
Good Fats give us nutrients and help the body absorb nutrients and function properly. They are vital. We store good fats in our bones in the form of lipid. Even your hormones will not be produced properly without good fats!
Where can we get good fats?
- Pastured Butter, Raw Butter, or Ghee (Make Your Own) is good fat. Make your own butter from raw milk and you will retain all the good nutrients.
- Coconut Oil
- Fermented Cod Liver Oil
A great book resource is Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston Price. This is an older book that is well known and accepted throughout natural living communities. Many people have told of great results from these findings.
These methods will help to keep our teeth strong and healthy. Want a remineralizing toothpaste recipe? Get the recipe here: Remineralizing Toothpaste Recipe.
Thanks for sharing!
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