Dental Nutrition
7 tips to save your teeth - part 1
I see more and more clients with teeth issues…
As you might know, there’s a tight connection with dental health and nutrition, but how closely related is it?
We all know we shouldn’t consume sugar and should get enough calcium from our diet but what about the rest? Can this be enough to preserve our teeth from a genetic predisposition or other dental conditions? Sensitivity, receding gums, cavities, infections...and so on.
Like many, I used to have some problems too but I wasn’t going to give up... I started researching what I could do about it. ‘There must be a solution’ I was telling myself in the ‘warrior’ mode.
To start with, I stopped consuming sugar altogether in 2012, I ate kilos of leafy greens to get enough Calcium and minerals and spent as much time as possible in the sun (vitamin D).
Giving up sugar entirely was hard, however, after the first few days feeling ‘hangovered’ I never (or almost) went back
That was a start…….but I knew it wasn’t enough
Here is the first part of a few tried and tested ‘teethsaver” tips I have researched and experimented on myself:
1) Get enough minerals.
As it’s not so easy to get a variety of minerals from our diet (absorption also depends on our gut condition), I tend to advise people to take a KELP supplement.
Kelp contains a broad spectrum of minerals, trace elements, micro-nutrients, vitamins, prebiotics and carotenoids. These stimulate vital enzyme reactions.
Please be mindful if you have thyroid problems as kelp contains iodine. In this case, we can find other suitable ways to substitute it, like good quality multi-mineral.
2) Tissue salts
Make a Calcium Fluoride mouthwash by dissolving 5 non-lactose 10 Calc. Fluoride. Tablets (Tissue Salts) in a cup o warm water and swish it around your mouth for about 3 minutes before swallowing it.
Use 3-4 times a day with a clean mouth
(1)
3) Avoid foods high in phytic acid and lectins.
Phytic acid and lectins have an inhibitory effect on mineral absorption and on some enzymes, we need to digest food. Grains and beans, unfortunately, are very rich in both. Some types of lectins can be neutralized by cooking, fermentation processes, or digestion, however, the remaining amount can be harmful to our teeth as it may affect digestion and absorption.
To eliminate a substantial quantity of anti-nutrients, pulses need to be soaked overnight in warm water, germinated for days, and soured (see yummy Indian dosas!). Not an easy process indeed!
For convenience, I recommend buying sprouted beans from organic stores or cook them with kombu (edible algae).
If you find it too hard to reduce consumption of grains and nuts, please make sure you have enough calcium (leafy greens/kefir/sardines, bone broth), vitamin C and vitamin D rich foods (i.e.mushroom!) with your meal. (2)
4) Sage mouthwash. Make a strong tea with sage leaves (the same you’d use for cooking), let it cool down, filter it and use it as a mouth wash every night before going to bed. It can be made in advance and it will last for a few days.
Sage is a great antimicrobial/antibacterial and has anti-inflammatory properties. It may help relieve swollen gums and speed up recovery after a tooth infection.
5) Include in your diet foods rich in the fat-soluble vitamins A – D – K like grass-fed meat, raw milk, organic free-range eggs, butter, potatoes and cod liver oil (vitamin A &D).
Vitamin A supports Calcium absorption and therefore stimulates teeth and bones repair (fish liver oils, eggs, green leafy vegetables, grass-fed cheese)
Vitamin D is essential to balance the ratio of phosphorous and calcium in the blood to stop tooth decay. (3)
Vitamin K works synergistically with vitamin D to build strong bones....and teeth!
Sources are broccoli, kale, soybeans, cabbage, lettuce, eggs, liver and pork.
6) Vinegar and lemon.
Whilst I’m a big fan of using ACV (raw apple cider vinegar unpasteurised with mother) or lemon and water in the morning, please be mindful that they both can be rather erosive on the teeth enamel.
The solution is to use a straw when drinking water and lemon or other acidic drink (like fruit juices) and/or swish some sodium bicarbonate in the mouth to neutralise the PH after consuming ACV
7) Face yourself.
Face your emotions, practice meditation/mindfulness, undergo some energetic work.
This may sound unrelated, however, there is a metaphysical, energetic connection between receding gums and wanting to suppress uncomfortable feelings.
Not only you’ll be helping your mouth health but you’ll benefit massively in all your relationships especially the one with yourself!
Nagel, Ramiel. Cure Tooth Decay: Heal And Prevent Cavities With Nutrition - Limit And Avoid Dental Surgery and Fluoride [Second Edition] (1) (2)
(1) Margaret Roberts - Anti Ageing Tissue salts - pg.15
(2) (3) Nagel, Ramiel. 'Cure Tooth Decay: Heal And Prevent Cavities With Nutrition' - Limit And Avoid Dental Surgery and Fluoride [Second Edition]
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