Wishing for a healthier mouth in 2017? Want to put an end to gum disease, cavities, and other oral health issues? Take control of your own oral health. You can achieve Ultimate Oral Health this year by understanding these 5 Oral Wellness Points.
5 Oral Wellness Points
- Bacteria Transfer
- Eating Causes Acidity
- Saliva is Your Best Friend
- The Mouth’s Nightmare
- Mouth Health Body Health
Bacteria Transfer
Mouth bacteria are both good and bad. There are substantially more good ones than bad, but the bad ones cause big problems like cavities and gum disease – so they are not welcome visitors in our mouths. These bacteria – good or bad – do not just stay on teeth, they can travel and reach places like our toothbrush bristles. This is why it is vital to clean your toothbrush as often as possible – ideally every day. Also get a new brush as often as possible, especially if you have cavities or are fighting gum disease.
The great news for families and friends is that when your mouth is healthy – you will be sharing healthy bacteria with the people you love. Early childhood is a time when the mouth bacterial composition is designed, and the input from family is very important in this process. Parents can clean their mouth health and feed good bacteria by consuming small amounts of xylitol at the end of every meal. Baby teeth can also be cleaned with a small amount of xylitol, rubbed or wiped over teeth.
Eating Causes Acidity
Every time we eat we can almost assume that acids are generated in our mouths. There are a few exemptions to this, but most foods contain natural or added sugars, carbohydrates or some form of acid. Organic, healthy foods can be as damaging as processed foods for teeth. Green smoothies often rate as some of the most damaging for teeth since kale and spinach contain oxalic acids which can destroy tooth enamel.
Acidity pulls minerals from teeth and also promotes the growth of unhealthy mouth bacteria. The longer the mouth remains acidic, the more damage is caused. Waiting for an hour before cleaning your teeth is allowing damage for too long each day. Eating a little xylitol mint or piece of pure xylitol gum after every meal, snack or drink will take away mouth acidity and also help to mineralize teeth and repair any defects.
Saliva is Your Best Friend
Today there are a number of expensive “re-mineralizing” pastes and gels sold to repair soft, weak or sensitive teeth. Your own saliva contains the ideal mix of minerals and is far better than these artificial products for this job of mineralizing teeth. The problem is that minerals will only go into teeth when the mouth is at a specific and alkaline pH of around 7.4. Fortunately xylitol generates a flow of alkaline saliva in most mouths to bring it to this pH.
When saliva interacts with the surface of teeth, it will help the teeth to harden and become smoother and stronger. It’s important to give your teeth enough time to interact with saliva. Constant snacking and sipping is detrimental to this process and is the reason many people experience sensitive teeth. Saliva quality varies throughout the day and mid afternoon is the ideal time to stop eating and drinking and allow your teeth time to interact with your own natural saliva.
The Mouth’s Nightmare
The most difficult time for our mouth health is while we are sleeping. The mouth automatically becomes drier and our saliva more acidic – two conditions that wreck havoc on our teeth and gums. This is why it is so important to prepare our teeth before we go to sleep, helping them to overcome the difficulties of the hours while we are asleep. It’s no use thinking that you can clean your teeth in the morning and make up for ignoring them at night: it just doesn’t work that way.
It’s vital to clean and protect your teeth before going to sleep each night. Many products today are too acidic for mouth health, especially all the products made to whiten or control plaque in the mouth. Many toothpastes are equally poorly designed for the care that teeth need during the night.
My Complete Mouth Care System was designed specifically to care for teeth and protect them during the night. In fact, it does its job so well, your teeth may be stronger, shinier and look better in the morning than they did when you went to bed!
[Download my free “how to” guide for my Complete Mouth Care System]
Mouth Health Body Health
Many studies point to various connections between mouth and body health. Body health also affects mouth health in a number of ways. Diet and good nutrition is vital if you are trying to correct a problem in your mouth, and I often talk with clients about their digestive health and the need to consider a good vitamin and mineral supplement in addition to a good digestive probiotic supplement.
The ideal time to develop mouth health is during the early years of childhood. In many countries xylitol is given to preschool children as xylitol candies during the school day. This has been a public health measure in Finland for about 50 years to prevent cavities, and prepare the mouths of children before the eruption of adult teeth. Healthy adult teeth require less treatment, no sealants and less maintenance care. Healthy teeth and gums will promote better general health and hopefully allow us all to live longer, healthier lives.
Hi Dr Ellie,
I have just begun learning from your website and am encouraged!
I have several crowns which contribute to a lot of food getting caught in my teeth. I would like to begin your mouth care protocol, but not sure what I should do I about flossing ( I usually water floss), since simply rinsing does not remove all the bits of food. Could you please advise?
Also, I have been using an Emmi-Dent ultrasound toothbrush. Am I killing too much bacteria ( the good too) with this?
Kristy
Hi Kristy. I’d suggest you start by getting the products that I recommend. It is vital to have the EXACT products – which is why I usually recommend starting with my kit – so that you have the right kinds of each brand product. Then when you go shopping, you will be able to “match” the ones you purchase.
If you get the wrong toothpaste – for example – then the system will be messed up. Yes, it’s confusing until you get going – then it is easy!
I encourage you to start ASAP – and I believe that you will quickly feel that your teeth and gums feel better and that as you develop improved mouth health far less food will stick between your teeth.
The less you floss, the less you will need to floss! I know – you will just have to trust me on this 🙂
I’d suggest you get started and maybe begin by using your toothbrush once a day – say in the morning. The use the brushes I recommend in the evening.( I recommend mouth watcher’s brushes). This way you can determine which one make your mouth feel the best.
I’d like you to learn as much as you can about mouth health. it would be great for you to take an Oral DNA, My Perio Path test – so you will have a clear view of your gum health. Please stay in touch!
If we are using Zellie’s / xylitol after every meal, can we get buy with your system of rinses and brushing once a day at night? How important is it to the system twice a day? Can we get buy with less than the full system during the middle of the day and reserve all of the steps for just before bed?
Oral health is a question of “balance”. Damage vs. The help you give your teeth.
Your question cannot be answered without knowing a lot more about your dental past, your present oral health situation – and your “family history” or risks for good/bad dental health.
If you have no cavities or gum problems and a family history of oral health – then you may be find to use the system at bedtime because you need less help. If your past, present or future is one that has a history of gum or tooth problems – I thiink time invested in the use of the system is worthwhile.
You can shorten the Listerine and ACT steps if you are in a hurry. Always use Closys for a full (timed) minute. No water rinsing between the steps, and ensure you are using a good toothbrush ( Mouth Watcher’s is my recommendation) and allowing it to dry for 24 hours between uses.
Hi Dr Ellie , i have some questions. I have some craze Lines and a very small little hole in my teeth. It is possibile ti reverse completely these craze Lines so that it con disappear ? And te small hole? I have read on internet and a Lot of dentist say that remineralization can’t restore tooth structure or rebuild tooth enamel not to a visibile extent but only at a microscopic one. But you un an answer you said that you have witnessed holes in teeth that have rebuild themeselves. How cab you explain this? It is possibile to repair my craze Lines and hole ? I hope for an aswer. Thank you.
Teeth are demineralizing and remineralizing all day and all night. It is a natural process that is designed to keep our tooth enamel young and healthy when it occurs correctly.
Acidity cause minerals to dissolve out of teeth when we eat, but excess acidity will lead to weakness, darkening and enamel craze lines). Only when teeth are given time to interact with healthy mineral-dense saliva can they build as minerals return into the enamel.
So you have to see that the outcome for teeth is the outcome of this equation: How long and how often are they damaged? vs. how often do they interact with healthy un-diluted saliva?
Mineralization is a normal process and the only effective way to strengthen teeth involves this understanding. You cannot “mineralize” teeth with some kind of paste or product, although the correct use of xylitol and sodium fluoride can SPEED UP this mineralization process.
Your OWN saliva is the key. Here is a link to another post from years ago about the damage of constantly sipping drinks – even water!
https://ultimateoralhealthguide.com/2013/03/14/how-sipping-snacking-are-weakening-your-teeth/
I answered almost exactly the same question from someone else just a little while ago. Here is the answer I gave! https://drellie.com/2017/01/10/have-healthier-teeth-gums-by-following-these-5-wellness-points/comment-page-1/#comment-1481
Hi Dr. Ellie, I tried your system a few years ago, and experienced improvement in the health of my teeth and gums as a result. Then for some reason, I slipped out of using it for a few years. I’ve rediscovered it, and will be starting it again.
I just wanted to say, I found the answers on this page very useful, and your video had some good information which I don’t remember from years ago, such as the importance of using the rinses at night.
I wanted to pass along a tip, in case it might be useful. I’m in my sixties, and have a very dry mouth. (I stopped making much saliva, years ago.) I’m not sure why, but my saliva did not improve from the xylitol mints and gum. Then I discovered that if I pour a small packet of xylitol in my mouth, and “chew it around” just a little, the effect is dramatic. Within 60 seconds, my mouth literally fills up with saliva, not just a little, but a mouth full of it, which I then swish with for a minute or two before spitting out. I do use your mints, but am doing this also, and the result is quite striking.
Granular xylitol can be useful. Zellie’s mints and gum are basically a way to carry pure xylitol into the mouth more conveniently than “pouring in a packet”. You should get exactly the same results. The important thing for dry mouth is to ensure you are giving your mouth time when you do not eat and drink – time during the afternoon for your own saliva to heal your mouth and eliminate sensitivity. Don’t rely on sensodyne paste – because it can actually make your mouth feel dry and worse!
Dr. I had a digestive issue that started 2 days after Thanksgiving 2017 and although through use of lemon ginger tea with probiotics and other natural means I am getting better. However today I noticed for the first time black on t several teeth next to gums. It’s also the teeth that a metal device to replace 2 teeth clamps next to these teeth. I am going to start using your complete care system. My question is should I see a dentist or try your complete system first. I am also looking to go as natural as I can with my whole health. I am a female 69 years of age. I wish it were possible to speak to you in depth but alas it’s go to dentist most likely where hopefully they would remove every filling, caps etc they have put in my mouth when I had good insurance and …. sorry I digress.
You can empower yourself! Check out my website http://www.DrEllie.com and under the heading “programs” sign up for my video boot camp – you will learn a lot and gain control over your oral health if you want to. It is never too late to take a stand and defend your teeth! https://drellie.com/programs/
Hi Dr. Ellie,
Can granular Xylitol be used in a Neti pot for sinuses, and if so at what concentration? And would sweetening coffee / tea with Xylitol help negate their acidic effect?
Xylitol can be added to a Neti pot and is a very useful sinus and nasal care product. I am always concerned about getting this concentration correct – so I ususlly recommend Xlear nasal spray and sinus wash as the best products for this. Diabetics have used xylitol as a sweetener for over a hundred years and it can be added to products in the same way that sugar is used. Be aware that this is not the best way to enjoy the dental benefits of xylitol and it does NOT negate the acidic effects of drinks by adding it to the liquid. Xylitol’s alkalizing effect occurs because it stimulates a flow of alkaline saliva into the mouth – something you do not get when xylitol is in a liquid form as a drink, or even as a mouth rinse.
Hi Dr Ellie,
Can I reuse the Listerine to disinfect my tooth brush each time or will it not be as effective?
I prefer to suggest you use a little less. Maybe put it into a spritzer bottle?
Is it helpful (or harmful?) to use xylitol after using the rinses? I have been using the rinses and spitting until there’s no more green, and then putting some xylitol in my mouth before bed. Is that alright?
Also, I can’t handle any dairy right now, so I have been taking Calcium Hydroxyapatite capsules. Would pouring out a little of the power and placing it around my teeth after the rinses help to remineralize? I have taken my saliva’s pH after doing so and it is a good pH (7-7.5). What about putting probiotic powder around my teeth to help with oral bacteria? Just trying to help them along, but I don’t want to mess up your excellent system if these things would be harmful…
Thanks!
I believe that having a little xylitol after using the system is fine – just maybe wait fifteen minutes to half an hour between the rinses and having the xylitol. As far as the calcium or probiotics directly in the mouth – the studies done do not show that there would be any benefit in this for most people. If you have a really messed up mouth or a very dry mouth – there may be some benefit as you work on your journey to develop healthy biofilm.
Hi Dr. Ellie,
I have been using your system for 3 weeks. My teeth feel great and much less tater. I had a scheduled cleaning at the dentist this morning. He said I have a cavity and cracks on both sides of a tooth. He recommended a crown or just fill cavity and hope the tooth doesn’t break. Should I fill he cavity or will my tooth remineralize? How long would you expect remineralization to take?
I am following your protocol every evening and using a zylitol mint after every meal and snack.
Thank you,
Myles
Teeth are like a mineral “bank account” – so your goal must be to put as many minerals into your teeth as possible and limit the damage from mouth acidity. My Complete Mouth Care System helps speed the process – but you need to give teeth time with your saliva, and you need to address your diet and general nutritional health. If you have no pain from this tooth, and you were my patient: I would tell you to do whatever you can to mineralize all the teeth in your mouth with Dr. Ellie’s system – and then let’s decide what to do at your next dental visit! You may want to consider using “the system” twice or even three times a day to speed up the process. Also, try to read my post about sipping drinks – and why you need to give teeth “face time” with saliva for a few hours after lunch each day.
Dr Ellie, I believe I have had great improvement with the system with zellies mints and granular xylitol over several years. I also supplement with the refrigerated GOL probiotics. One area of concern is a thin pale yellow coating on my tongue, mainly at the rear. Brushing the tongue hasn’t made a noticeable difference. Should accumulation occur if the system is followed correctly? Would tongue scraping not only remove the embedded bacteria but solve the underlying issue? Models of scrapers are stainless steel, copper (anti bacterial) or plastic types like the GUM Dual-Action Tongue Cleaner.
Thanks for the question. Try to imagine your mouth as an ecosystem – and the goal is to balance this ecosystem by addressing its chemistry, biology, and even physics. For a hundred years these basic needs have been ignored – and Dentistry has trained us to think mechanically about “cleaning” teeth and the tongue.
Imagine your tongue and teeth are a coral reef and how they are washed by your saliva and everything you eat and drink – like an ocean that washes a reef. Xylitol helps to adjust the chemistry (pH) and promotes healthy bacteria (biology). My Complete Mouth Care System works to adjust all these components also.
At the back of the tongue are amazing bacteria that are essential for health – and we don’t want to disturb them. They actually thrive on nutrients from a variety of plant-based foods (mixure of veggies)- and eat them alongside some oil or butter to increase mineral absorption. Try to get some added diversity in your diet with your green veggies – try things outside the normal… and take a moment to consider your digestive health.
If you think your digestive health is less than perfect, consider a different kind of probiotic or the addition of digestive enzymes – to ensure you are absorbing all the minerals and vitamins you need for optimal health.
Also, consider a firmer toothbrush and be sure to let your brush dry for 24 hours between uses – to ensure you are not replanting unwanted bacteria that may be lurking on your brush.
Don’t ignore your tongue – I’d love to hear the end of the story. Your tongue color is a great bellwether of your health. Great question!
Hi Dr. Ellie
I have a thick build-up of tarter on the back of my lower teeth. The gum line there inflames and is painful from time to time. I am very anxious about the cost and pain associated with having the tarter removed in a deep cleaning. I am also fearful of how my gums will appear after there. Does your system help erode that tarter build-up or am I looking at having the procedure done prior to starting your system?
Tartar build up is a sign of too much acidity in your mouth. Try to consider “a day in the life of your teeth” and see how many times, and for how long, your teeth are in an acidic “mouth” environment. Do you sip smoothies, coffee, juices, lemonade etc…Possibly your own saliva is acidic – so your teeth are sitting in acidity all day. Xylitol is so useful to alkalize your mouth. 100% mints and gum are best – like Zellie’s mints and gum: no glycerin. Eat these after everything you eat or drink and stop some of this acidity in your mouth. Yes, the Complete Mouth Care System is incredible also – but you must pay attention to how you brush and massage the gums in this area with a MEDIUM brush – not a soft one! I suggest you brush behind your front teeth in this area as you begin to brush your teeth – and ensure you target it. I’d do this for at least 4 months before having a cleaning at the dentist.
Thank you for everything Dr Ellie. We are very grateful for your system. I know sealants are not 100% effective against cavities, and I know there are some other concerns about sealants as well. But I have a question for you please. Could sealants prevent xylitol from working like it should on those specific teeth that have sealants on them? Or will the xylitol still be able to reach the teeth even though they are sealed. In other words, could sealants prevent remineralization from occurring in teeth? Or can sealed teeth still fully enjoy the benefits of remineralization with xylitol and the complete system? I really look forward to hearing back. Thank you very much.
A well attached sealant will not let anything reach the tooth surface – so yes, it will prevent re-mineralization in the grooves that are sealed, but the exposed areas that are not sealed will still benefit from your mouth liquids and xylitol.
Dentists have made everyone think teeth are like a row of stones. Instead, think of teeth in a new way – think of them as part of a coral reef, bathed in an ocean of your saliva. Your saliva – if it is healthy – brings nutrients to the coral reef/ your teeth.
If you covered a piece of the coral reef with a plastic bag and sealed at the edges – nothing would reach the reef. This is really what we are doing to teeth when we “seal” them.
I prefer to help people make the “ocean of saliva” in their mouth healthy – and leave teeth alone.
Artificially trying to protect teeth with a plastic shield is very temporary help and does not give long-term protection to the mouth as a whole. Also this is not the way Nature intended – and the grooves of our teeth are supposed to be a refuge for healthy bacteria that actually help us digest gluten and carbohydrates. Blocking up these grooves can make someone less able to digest in a healthy way.
Niko
may 10, 2017 at 8:16 pm
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dr. ellie- thx for your devotion to preventative dentistry.
2 questions:
1) can i combine steps 3 and 4, by solely using listorene alchohol free mouthwash? instead of rinsing with listerene (alcohol) then the act mouthwash? why/why not?
3) are you familiar with the perio gum mouthwash with cayenne pepper? how can i incorporate it into your system?? or use cayenne pepper to regenerate gums??
love you and thanks for all your help
-niko
You can use whatever you decide to use, but I recommend my specific system – that I KNOW works and I have never found any reasons to make changes to it. The alcohol in Listerine is washed away by the ACT non-alcohol rinse. Think of Listerine in my system as a kind of astringent or toner – if this was a system for skin care. Think of ACT as the moisturizer – since that is kind of the way it works – smoothing the outside of the tooth. Would you suggest mixing the toner with the moisturizer? No. You would simply end up with thinner moisturizer that would offer less protection. The same with these rinses. I suggest you stick with the system. if your gums need more circulation for some reason (the cayenne pepper is for this) give using a silly soft brush and use a good medium brush – I am currently trying out – and liking – the Sunstar GUM Deep Clean brush. Be sure to massage your gums ALL around your mouth!
http://www.gumbrand.com/gum-technique-deep-clean-toothbrush-with-bonus-proxabrush-go-betweens.html
Hi dr Ellie, I have been following your dental programme, but an old cavity had been ‘working’ in one of my teeth and it was so deep that the dentist said it might require root canal. He cleaned it thorough, put a filling and warned the tooth might be very sensitive and applied a fluoride varnish. It’s been indeed very sensitive and was wondering if his suggestion is good: to not rinse the toothpaste after brushing teeth in the evening. Woudn’t that damage the teeth?
I would have you use my Complete Mouth Care System – EXACTLY as suggested. There is no reason to leave toothpaste on teeth when you use my system it magnifies the re-mineralization from the paste. I don’t understand his suggestion at all.
Dr Ellie, is it possible to consult with you? I have tried so many things, perfect diet, holistic mouth care, etc but have 5 root canals, missing teeth, decay in all teeth, and am in danger of losing more teeth (possibly because of autoimmune condition). Since a lot of my issues are beyond prevention now, I’m having trouble making decisions regarding treatment – ie pull root canal teeth because of link to autoimmunity, is biomimetic dentistry the best approach to repairing decayed teeth, what materials to use, are implants okay, etc.
Can you send me a personal email to ellie@zellies.com and I can try and arrange how we could talk together. I am happy to help you.
I had a root canal about 7 years ago. A different dentist said it was poorly done. Later the crown came off. My new dentist said there was not enough tooth left for a new crown and suggested either extraction, partial or implant. I have been feeling poorly for no obvious reason and was wondering if bacteria at the root canal site could be causing this. I also read that xylitol could possibly help with the bacteria. What do you recommend for the failed root canal, and what kind of dental pro should I seek? I am also suspicious of several amalgam fillings for heavy metal toxicity. I’m not aware of any biolological dentists in my city.
Thank you,
Jack Lithgoe
Baton Rouge
Hi Jack – get an infected old and poorly done root canal OUT of your mouth ASAP. Before the extraction do all you can to boost your immune system and take probiotics, adjust your diet, take some good vitamin and mineral supplements and sit in the sunshine if you can. Prepare for this extraction at least two or three weeks ahead of time – like you were going into a marathon running race. Let me know how your extraction goes – but you do not want to leave a “dirty” root canal in your mouth – EVER – and it’s been there for seven years.
Dear Dr. Ellie, I have read your book and followed your program for a few months and was well impressed with the results. Recently I found out I’m allergic to Fragrance and Thimerosal, the latter also known as Sodium2-(ethylmercurithio) Benzoate according to the info sheets I got from the allergy clinic. Is this substance the same with ‘sodium benzoate’ which is listed as an ingredient in both your recommended mouthwashes? If yes, is it possible to replace the mouthwashes with anything?
I’d very much appreciate your advice!
Thanks in advance!
You will have to evaluate the benefit of a healthy mouth vs. your worry about these ingredients. Many people have to work with this dilemma – and that includes most of us who eat and live “organic” and really wish there was another option for “green” act and “blue” Listerine!
The problem is I know of NO OTHER product or system that is as unbelievably effective for putting minerals back into teeth and promoting a healthy mouth.
Anyone with allergies has to remember that a bacterial imbalance in the mouth can affect the health of the ears, nose and throat. We know that children using xylitol have over 40% less chance of middle ear infections.
I’d recommend using frequent small amount of pure Zellie’s mints and gum (Zellies because they are one of the few xylitol gums with no added glycerin) and combine with a xylitol nasal spray or xylitol sinus wash (Xlear make a good one). If you have acid reflux try to look up holistic cures for this..rather than use medications.
I believe that if you have a healthy mouth, and add these natural nose, sinus and throat therapies for an adequate amount of time (give Nature at least 90 days to work)….you should be encouraged and maybe start to end these problems.
One more thing – ensure you are using a great digestive probiotic to help boost your immune system when you throw everything at your allergies!
Thank you for sharing such helpful info!
What to do about the sorbitol in ACT Anticavity? (Isn’t sorbitol food for the bad bacteria, as you’ve written in “Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye”?)
Consuming sorbitol is very different from using it as an ingredient in the rinse. Yes, I wish it were xylitol – but that would probably double its price!
Hello,
I wasn’t sure where to ask this question.
Is there a way to reverse/repair craze lines? I have gone through several mouth guards (I spit them out at night and my dog thinks they’re a chew toy). I’ve noticed in the recent months I’m not grinding as much but do have craze lines on my 2 front teeth.
Also is a painful cavity a sign it’s progressed too far for natural repair?
Hi Andrea. My reply is basically the same reply I give about how to stop cavities. Cavities, craze lines and enamel fractures are all about a dental imbalance in one simple equation: damage vs. repair. Teeth are like your bones…they are dissolved every day just a little bit. Nature intends that they repair back again. Problems start when this equation is not working properly either because there is too much damage or not enough repair.
If you were one of my clients, we would work through the things you do each day…call it a “day in the life of your tooth”…Ha! How much damage is your tooth enduring?
Acidic damage happens with every meal, sip of coffee, lemon juice, apple cider, fruit etc etc. It is the duration – the length of time that your teeth are exposed to acid attack that matters. Every exposure – even if you eat a slice of orange quickly – is one hour of damage. Every sip of coffee – the same. Zellie’s mints and gum are used to stop the acidic damage instantly. So you can eat and drink your meals and not have to worry. Eat what you like, drink lemonade and then end the acidity with a Zellie mint or gum to end the damage in one minute!
My Complete Mouth Care System is a special system to boost the repair mechanism. The details of why and how it works are in my book, Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye…but if you use this – you will be maximizing the night time and some other period in the day to put minerals INTO your teeth. (This is the second part of that initial equation).
Finally check out this blog post about sipping – even water: https://ultimateoralhealthguide.com/2013/03/14/how-sipping-snacking-are-weakening-your-teeth/
Hello Dr. Ellie,
My wife recently discovered you and your oral health system and has begun to use it. I am also intrigued by what she has shared, but I have one thing holding me back. I had a heart valve replaced about 18 months ago, and since then I have been trying to do what I can through diet to improve my cardiovascular health. I have read about the benefits of leafy green vegetables in increasing nitric oxide in the blood-stream. I have also read that some antiseptic mouthwashes can drastically reduce the population of oral bacteria responsible for changing the nitrates in the leafy greens to nitrites and starting the process that eventually results in nitric oxide production.
My question is whether starting your system, which includes using Closys and Listerine, would have the same effect of reducing the bacteria that help in nitric oxide production while killing off the bacteria responsible for tooth decay (I know that the studies I have been reading about all used mouthwashes that contained chlorhexidine, and that Closys and Listerine don’t contain that ingredient). I would appreciate any light you could shed on this.
Frank H
Hi Frank. This is a very smart question! On the reverse side – you know ho important it is to reduce any inflammation, to minimize your risk for CVD. Periodontal perfection must be your goal and for this I recommend my Complete Mouth Care System!
You may want to have an oral DNA test to find out the levels of periodontal pathogens in your mouth. (www.OralDNA.com – my periopath test.)
I have used my Complete Mouth Care System for three decades and when I tested for Nitric Oxide I was satisfied that these rinses are not a problem. Closys turns to oxygen and only targets anaerobic bacteria. Listerine does not destroy biofilm but targets (with the essential oils it contains: eucalyptus, menthol and thymol) the outer shell of spore-type bacteria which are usually spirochetes and immature cocci in plaque.
The bacteria on the tongue that are involved in the process of converting nitrates to nitric oxide do not appear harmed and may, in fact, be promoted by this system. I wrote to Listerine to see if they had definitive studies – but they did not respond.
Dear Dr. Ellie,
Our household is on your system. I could tell within the first week that it’s everything you say it is. Before your system, I had such rapid plaque build up that I devoted over an hour each evening detail cleaning the daily plaque off my teeth (I invested in professional dental tools to get into all the small spa spaces.) Your system not only takes minutes to do, it also fights off the bacteria instead of just removing it. I am living proof that this system works and plan on writing a more detailed success story soon. Unfortunately, I have only recently discovered your system which leads me to my 18 month old son. I have contaminated his mouth with my bacteria and he has four front cavities. I would love to get your advice and opinion on things like if you think his teeth are too advanced and just doomed then what dental procedures do you recommend we do and don’t do? Do you recommend pulling baby teeth and putting spacers in instead of root canals, etc.? Could I buy your time for a phone consult or visit you? I am desperate and I trust you more than any other in this profession with my child. Thank you and God bless you for your wonderful system.
-Bridget
For an 18 month old, I would focus on regular use of xylitol. Xylitol as a mint, as granules on a toothbrush or even in a sippy cup – a small amount in water.
Sodium Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a product to investigate – it may be something to consider.
I suggest you apply a small amount of Crest Cavity Protection toothpaste to the damaged teeth if you can. Use a cloth or brush if your son is OK with the taste. If not, try masking the taste with a drop of bubblegum ACT on the toothpaste.
Your dentist may suggest fluoride varnish – which may be a help.
The most important thing is to move forward…don’t worry too much about the damage. If your dentist suggests crowns etc, ask if his or her suggestions are NECESSARY or just for cosmetic value. Years ago, we left damaged baby teeth alone. We improved the mouth health and then these damaged teeth were no big deal!
I have been sticking to your advice and I am so grateful and thankful for you. I have a huge cloud over my head and you are a big ray of sunshine! My daily struggle and heartache is that with a 20 month old it is hard to know if his teeth are too damaged. He can’t tell me if they hurt and when he’s teething I’m not sure if it’s teething pain or cavity pain. How do I know if they cause him pain? What do teeth usually look like when they are too damaged? I have pictures I took of his teeth if there is a way I could send them to you? I took him to a dentist in December 2016 and she said that the current state of his teeth were ok IF I stopped breastfeeding. I have continued breastfeeding but started your program. He pushes at his nose and then wipes down to his front teeth often. With your experience, is this a sign of pain? I am heartsick and don’t know what to do. I know you can’t answer every person because there’s only so much time in a day and you have already so kindly replied to me. If you would accept taking a look at his photos then I would definitely reimburse your time! Thank you again
-Bridget
PS I know it seems like my sons teeth should be fine if I saw the dentist in December but the dentist couldn’t get a detailed look into my sons mouth. I believe they have worsened since then. His front top tooth has a ‘large’ chip with the back of it a deep dark yellow. The teeth next to the top front teeth each have a large yellow hole in the back of them. Thank you.
-Bridget again
There are only two ways for teeth to deteriorate: more damage or less protection. There are two ways to improve the health of teeth: protect them from damage by adjusting diet and using xylitol…and add protection. I’d suggest you wipe these front teeth with Crest Cavity Protection toothpaste twice each day. If he does not like the taste, add a little bubblegum ACT to the mixture….or some xylitol to the toothpaste….
Thank you Dr. Ellie for this very helpful information!
I love receiving your blog posts! Your mouth care system has helped me so much!! Stay encouraged that you are making a BIG difference in people’s lives!
Erin S
Thanks for your question! I think it would be best to enjoy a Zellie mint as you get up if you want to freshen your breath. Most people find when they have stabilized their mouth health, and by using the Complete Mouth Care System every night, they wake up with a pleasant feel in their mouth. If you are not experiencing this, maybe consider using a few nasal squirts of a xylitol nasal spray, right before bed at night. The problem may be with your sinus health.
Great! Thanks, I will do that. Glad I don’t need to brush before AND after breakfast~
Thank you, Dr. Ellie, and Happy New Year!
Do you recommend any brushing or rinses immediately after getting up in the morning (I wear retainers at night so I’m sure I have plenty of unhealthy bacteria by the time I wake up). I generally do the complete system after breakfast unless I am in a hurry to get out the door (and not eating breakfast at home).