(A quick 5 minute read)
"OMG, I need help. I don't have time to read Dr. Ellie's books or watch 100+ hours of YouTube videos. What do I do? Just tell me what to do."
If you've just discovered my teachings, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed.
My teachings are surprisingly simple. And backed by decades of research and clinical experience. Here are the four pillars of my philosophy:
- Follow the Daily Oral Care Routine
Use the Complete Mouth Care System exactly as directed. - Xylitol Throughout the Day
Use xylitol after meals, snacks, and drinks to neutralize acidity, feed the good bacteria, and starve the bad bacteria. - Let Your Mouth Rest
Stop eating and drinking twice a day for 90 minutes and let your mouth rest. This is when healing happens. - Support Your Saliva
A healthy lifestyle influences the health of your saliva which is pivotal to healing teeth and gums.
1. Follow the Daily Oral Care Routine
This is the cornerstone of the program. Instead of trying to kill all the bacteria in your mouth, the goal is to create an environment where your mouth can naturally stay healthy, the good bacteria thrive, and the bad bacteria cannot.
Every morning and every night, use these products in this order (links go to Amazon):
Each product has a specific purpose, and together they work to heal and protect your teeth and gums.
If you'd like the detailed instructions, timing, and explanations, you can read about the Complete Mouth Care System here: https://drellie.com/complete-mouth-care-system/
Or, if you'd rather skip the shopping, the entire system is available as one convenient kit from Zellie's here.
2. Xylitol Throughout the Day
Your mouth doesn't just need brushing twice a day... it needs support between meals. I recommend:
- 7–10 grams of xylitol every day (that's 14-20 mints)
- Spread across about five separate exposures
Don't over-do it. That's when people can see stomach issues. Start slow (one mint a day!) and build up to the recommended dosage.
Gum and mints both work well. Consistency matters more than perfection.
3. Let Your Mouth Rest
This may be the most underrated piece... mouth resting. I have a whole blog on mouth resting you can read here, if you're interested.
Your saliva is constantly working to protect your teeth. Your saliva may very well be the secret. Every sip, snack, piece of gum, mint (even xylitol!), coffee, flavored drink, sparkling water, even regular water, interrupts what your saliva is trying to accomplish.
Whenever possible, give your mouth periods of complete rest for 60 minutes or longer (whatever you can reasonable accomplish). That means:
- No food
- No drinks
- No gum
- No xylitol
- Not even water
Just let your saliva do the job it was designed to do. Even an hour or two of uninterrupted rest each day can make a meaningful difference.
4. Support Your Saliva
Healthy saliva is the foundation of a healthy mouth. The better your saliva functions, the better it can heal your teeth and gums. Your saliva is influenced by your overall health. Some of the biggest factors include:
- Eating nutritious, diverse foods
- Getting enough sleep
- Managing stress
- Staying physically healthy
- Addressing medications or conditions that cause dry mouth
Your mouth isn't separate from the rest of your body. The healthier you are, the healthier your saliva can be.
That's it.
Of course, there are hundreds of fascinating details behind each of these principles.
I have spent decades explaining the science, answering questions, and helping people understand why these recommendations work. If you're curious, my books and videos are wonderful resources and worth exploring over time.
But you don't need to become an oral health expert to begin. If you remember nothing else, remember these four things:
✔ Follow the Complete Mouth Care System twice a day.
✔ Use 7–10 grams of xylitol spread throughout the day.
✔ Give your mouth regular periods of rest.
✔ Support healthy saliva by taking care of your overall health.
Simple doesn't mean easy, but it does mean you can start today. Your future smile will thank you.
Ready to Get Started?
Here's where to learn more or buy the right products.
Learn more about the Complete Mouth Care System
https://drellie.com/complete-mouth-care-system/
Shop the Complete Mouth Care System Kit
https://shop.zellies.com/products/dr-ellies-complete-mouth-care-system-kit/DRELLIE15
Shop Recommended Products on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.elliephillips
My Online Course
https://learn.drellie.com/online-program
Additional Resources
https://drellie.com/resources/