Optimizing Your Oral Health
“[Tooth] Whiteness comes from within.” ~Nadine Artemis
Nadine Artemis, the author of Holistic Dental Care: The Complete Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums, highlighted the importance of recognizing our teeth as living structures. The health of our teeth and our mouth begins with the foods we eat. Eating whole plant-based foods supports strong healthy teeth. Processed foods = Processed Teeth. When we eat processed foods full of chemicals those chemicals not only impact our digestive system, but our entire body. They impact our livers, adrenals, brains, and oral health.
Our oral health and teeth health reveals a lot about what is going on within our bodies. Cavities, decay, gum recession all point to deeper, internal underlying health issues. Mouth breathing breeds more unproductive and pathogenic bacteria like Streptoccocus sp., which are responsible for causing cavities. So many of us are experiencing tooth decay and cavities, believing that fruits are responsible for the decay or sensitivity. The very fruits we begin to avoid by prescribing to this belief are the very antidote to the tooth decay and cavities. The sugar in the fruits is not what is “bad.” These fruits contain so many minerals, vitamins, and nutrients that support oral health and overall health. Eating a diet high in protein lowers the amount of Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) in the stomach and creates an environment for these foods to rot and putrefy in the gut. The ammonia gas that results causes the teeth to rot and decay.
I was dealing with tonsil stones, caused by Strep bacteria, cavities, and other soft spots on my teeth… instead of having them filled I sought out other information. I began swishing and gargling with Celery juice, an incredible antibacterial and antiviral juice that supports every system in the body. I found Nadine Artemis’s book on holistic dentistry and began doing her 8 step dental routine. I stopped drinking alcohol and caffeine which were hard on my teeth and oral health.
Another important piece is choosing high quality oral care products that are organic and clean in the ingredients they contain. So many of the commercial toothpastes, mouthwashes, and flosses contain chemical-based ingredients that interfere with the oral microbiome and hypothalmic parotid-gland endocrine axis, which serves to regulate the dentinal fluid through the teeth.
Health Hindering Foods to Eliminate + Avoid:
Eggs — feed pathogens like Streptococcus + EBV, contain a high fat content which prevents cleansing and clogs the lymph. Eggs create acidity in the body which weakens the bones and teeth.
Dairy — high in fat, clogs lymphatic system + liver, dairy feeds pathogens that cause health symptoms, conditions, and illnesses
Gluten — feeds Streptococcus bacteria and other viruses, promotes inflammation, and contributes to digestive issues
Canola Oil + Other Processed Oils (soybean, safflower, etc.) — creates inflammation, free radicals + oxidation, high fat content burdens the liver and slows the lymphatic flow
Alcohol — dehydrates the body + skin, creates acidity, taxes the liver, and promotes premature aging
Caffeine — dehydrates the body and skin, accelerates aging, creates acidity, taxes the adrenals, + hinders collagen formation. Caffeine compromises the adrenals, liver, and lymphatic system
Foods to Support Oral Health:
Foods that support and promote oral health are ones that alkalize the body. These alkalizing foods include fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, and wild foods. Any foods that create acidity in the body inherently weaken the teeth as the body buffers the acidic pH by extracting trace minerals from the bones. Animal products are acidifying foods are a high in fat and tend to putrefy in the gut, thus promoting tooth decay and gum recession.
Aloe Vera — helps prevent gum recession and tooth decay, and supports digestive health.
Papaya — supports gut health and decreases the ammonia concentration present which helps prevent tooth decay.
Oranges + Tangerines — one of the most powerful forms of bioactive calcium, a highly absorbable form of calcium oranges promote bone strength and density. Their anti-inflammatory properties support the immune and musculoskeletal system.
Leafy Greens — one of the most powerful alkalizing foods, leafy greens cleanse the digestive tract and lymph, which ultimately cleanses the dentinal fluid.
Wild Blueberries — the most adaptogenic + antioxidant rich food that possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-mucus properties. They cleanse the body and brain of MSG + heavy metals. They also enhance the absorption of every single nutrient in the body.
Other Foods — Radishes, apples, onions, scallions, chives, cucumbers, ginger, and garlic are also supportive for oral health
Hydration to Support Oral Health:
Hydration plays a pivotal part in the detoxification of the body. The more hydrated we are, the more we can cleanse and flush toxins out of our bodies that have been contributing to the health symptoms we may be experiencing. The vast majority of people have bodies that are chronically dehydrated. When we are dehydrated the body holds onto the fluid, and also the toxins more than it does when we are hydrated.
Celery Juice — antiviral and antibacterial it supports the elimination of pathogens, strengthens the immune system, cleanses the lymph and liver, and clears the skin. Celery contains sodium cluster salts and other trace minerals that remineralize the bones in teeth in the body, thus strengthening and densifying them. It also strengthens the digestive system, raises Hydrochloric Acid levels in the stomach helping you digest food more efficiently.
Coconut Water — full of electrolytes and essential trace minerals, coconut water revitalizes the body, cleanses the liver, and supports the lymphatic system. These trace minerals also support the strength and integrity of the teeth.
Cucumber Juice — deeply hydrating and nourishing, cucumber juice restores the liver, provides key nutrients to the cells and reduces inflammation.
Lemon Water — adding lemon to our water makes the water “living” and makes it more hydrating. It helps to detoxify the liver, cleanse the lymphatic system, and hydrate the body on a cellular level. The lemon water is incredibly supportive for oral health and teeth.
Supplements to Support Oral Health:
Silica — a plant-based collagen builder that supports strong bones and teeth. It is easily absorbed and assimilated by the body.
Spirulina — helps to remineralize the teeth and gums and effectively binds and removes heavy metals out of the gut.
Vitamin-C — a powerful formulation of Vitamin C and rose hips to support the immune system, teeth, + collagen formation.
Coenzyme Q10 — an amazing and powerful antioxidant that supports tooth restoration.
Nettle Leaf — a powerful adaptogenic herb that supports the liver and adrenals, Nettle Leaf contains bioavailable silica that strengthens the teeth.
Sovereign Silver — a powerful antibacterial that supports gums and teeth and reduces the presence of Strep and other bacteria that compromise oral health.
Products I love that support my oral health:
Silk Dental Floss Floss — so many of the conventional dental flosses contain petroleum byproducts
Tongue Scraper —reduces the buildup of plaque and pathogenic bacteria in the oral microbiome, minimizing tooth decay + bad breath.
Ionic Toothbrush — ionic toothbrushes have a negative charge to them so they effectively attract positive ions from the teeth and reduce plaque by up to 40%.
Mouth Strips —if you are prone to mouth breathing at night, mouth strips will be amazing for your oral microbiome and oral health. Mouth breathing promotes the propagation of pathogenic bacteria, like Streptococcus, which causes cavities.
My dental routine:
Swish with baking soda brine- this creates an alkaline oral environment which helps remove plaque and bacteria
Tongue Scrape- this helps reduce the buildup of plaque and pathogenic bacteria in the oral microbiome. It also reduces bad breath.
Floss– flossing is an amazing way to reduce plack and get into those hard to reach places. Adding a drop of peppermint essential oil to the floss helps reduce unproductive bacteria in the oral cavity. Peppermint essential oil is antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiviral. It kills and eliminates those bacteria that are responsible for cavities and bad breath.
Brush with an ionic toothbrush– ionic toothbrushes have a negative charge to them so they effectively attract positive ions from the teeth and reduce plaque by up to 40%.
Brush with an electric toothbrush– more effective than a manual toothbrush at removing plaque, cleaning and polishing the teeth
Rinse with mouthwash– I make my own mouthwash that contains hydrogen peroxide and different essential oils that are antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial to support my oral health and promote fresh breath
