Up until the year I turned 24, I had had exactly one cavity. It was in a baby tooth and was never filled, so it didn’t really count. Then I got pregnant with my first child. Cavities erupted everywhere. My teeth were experiencing their own personal TEOTWAWKI.
If someone had suggested back then that I could remineralize my teeth, I would have dismissed that individual as a health freak nut job. Now, I’m not so sure. But I’m not saying I’m convinced, either. I think the idea has merit and should be explored, and that’s what I did. I share the results here. People with sensitive teeth should sit up and take note. Teeth become sensitive because they are losing minerals. They are becoming weak. All those sensitive teeth toothpastes on the market are designed to remineralize teeth and make them stronger.
About one hundred years ago, Dr. Weston Price and Drs. Edward and May Mellanby studied the role of nutrients in oral health. They determined, and modern research has confirmed, that three main factors were involved in tooth structure and development.
- Sufficient minerals in the diet
- Sufficient fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) in the diet
- The bioavailability of these vitamins and minerals, which is largely affected by the amount of phytic acids and sugars consumed
Calcium, and to a lesser extent magnesium and phosphorus, are the minerals responsible for strong teeth. Eliminate those minerals, either through a poor diet or medical conditions (like pregnancy, where the baby will take what he needs), and teeth become sensitive and weakened, and then susceptible to cavities.
We already know how critical vitamins A and D are, but for oral health, sufficient stores of vitamins E and K, especially K, are also critical. Our best source of vitamin D is the sun, and we can tank up on it all summer long, and even store enough to get us through the winter. Of course, that means we can’t wear sunscreen all the time and need to get some good sun exposure. Supplements are also an option.[1] Vitamin K is essential in transporting calcium all over the body. Foods rich in vitamin K include leafy greens like spinach, kale, Swiss chard, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, parsley, and mustard, beet, collard, and turnip greens. Other sources include fish, meat, dairy, eggs, butter, and fermented vegetables. [2]
We can have a diet that is rich in these essential vitamins and minerals, but if they aren’t biologically available to the body—if the body can’t absorb them, we’re in bad shape. To complicate matters, phytic acid makes these vitamins and minerals less bioavailable. And unfortunately, phytic acid is present in many of the common prepper foods—beans and whole grains. Changing out beans and grains (oats are apparently the hardest on our teeth) to keep our teeth from decaying probably isn’t going to work so well. Consuming a meat, healthy fat, and leafy-green heavy diet to facilitate remineralization of compromised teeth may be an option for the short-term. Making sure we can remineralize our teeth may be the better choice for most people.
Diet. Life in a collapsed society will result in a greatly altered diet. Junk foods, processed foods, especially sodas and candy, will become a thing of the past. Our teeth will be under less constant attack.
Saliva. Making sure we have sufficient saliva is actually really important. Saliva contains important minerals to help remineralize teeth, and it also helps wash away germs.[3]
Water. Drink more water. Water naturally rinses the mouth and removes toxins from the body.[4]
Sugar-free gum. Chewing sugar-free gum has been shown to reduce the acids in the mouth that can cause cavities.[5]
Baking soda. Rinsing or brushing with baking soda does not remineralize teeth. It does, however, reduce acidity in the mouth, making it easier for teeth to become remineralized.[6]
Toothpaste. Use a remineralizing toothpaste. Brushing after each meal with a fluoride toothpaste has been promoted by doctors and dentists for decades as the best way to prevent cavities. For those opposed to fluoride, there are other options.
Eggshells. Eggshells are full of the same minerals that compose our teeth. One study demonstrated that eggshell powder works wonders to remineralize teeth. To prepare the powder:
- Boil eggshells for 10 minutes to kill pathogens.
- Air dry and grind the eggshells.
- Consume ½ teaspoon per day.
- Use free-range, organic chicken eggs for best results.[7]
An in vitro study using eggshells showed that brushing with the eggshell powder is also effective.[8]
Homemade Eggshell Toothpaste
¼ cup eggshell powder (or powdered calcium-magnesium tablets)
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoon baking soda
Several drops of peppermint essential oil or flavoring
Combine all ingredients in a small canning jar.
Oil pulling. Swish 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil in the mouth for about 15 minutes (best done while you shower). Spit out the oil and rinse with water. Do this 3-4 times per week. Brush immediately afterwards.[9]
As with most everything in life, preventing cavities is the best way to go. Brush, floss, avoid sugar, and eat a healthy diet. If all those fail, the above measures may help.
Links to related posts:
The Medicinal Uses of Baking Soda
The Medicinal Uses of Coconut Oil
References:
https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/eggshells-to-heal-cavities/
https://wellnessmama.com/health/remineralize-teeth/
https://holisticdentalinstitute.com/possible-remineralize-teeth/
[1] Philippe P Hujoel, Vitamin D and dental caries in controlled clinical trials: systematic review and meta-analysis, Nutrition Reviews, Vol 71 No 2, https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.870.405&rep=rep1&type=pdf (accessed 4 May 2022).
[2] Donny Jeremy, Is it possible to remineralize teeth, Holistic Dental Institute, 12 September 2016, Holistic Dental Institute, https://holisticdentalinstitute.com/possible-remineralize-teeth/ (accessed 4 May 2022).
[3] E. A. Abou Neel, et al., Demineralization-remineralization dynamics in teeth and bone, International journal of nanomedicine, Vol 11, 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5034904/ (accessed 4 May 2022).
[4] 6 ways to keep your teeth remineralizing naturally, Teeth Wisdom, https://teethwisdom.org/remineralize-teeth/ (accessed 4 May 2022).
[5] Riva Touger-Decker, et al., Sugars and dental caries, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 78, Issue 4, October 2003, https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/78/4/881S/4690063 (accessed 4 May 2022).
[6] Randy Martin, et al., How to remineralize teeth: Strengthen and repair tooth enamel, Dentaly.org, 20 March 2022, https://www.dentaly.org/us/oral-health/remineralize-teeth/ (accessed 4 May 2022).
[7] Donny Jeremy, Is it possible to remineralize teeth, Holistic Dental Institute, 12 September 2016, Holistic Dental Institute, https://holisticdentalinstitute.com/possible-remineralize-teeth/ (accessed 4 May 2022).
[8] B Mony, et al., Effect of chicken egg shell powder solution on early enamel carious lesions: an in vitro preliminary study, Journal of Clinical Diagnostic Research, March 2015, Vol 9 No 3, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4413151/ (accessed 4 May 2022).
[9] VK Shanbhag, Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene - A review, Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 6 June 2016, Vol 7 No 1, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198813/ (accessed 4 May 2022).
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