My teeth are starting to hurt!

[faith4u]

Now, I know that some raw fooders have problems with their teeth. I am very concerned because I have always had great teeth (genetics....so do my mother , sister and brother). The last couple of days my teeth have started to ache all the time. I am getting a little worried.

What can I do to keep them from rotting away?

Thanks

[JinxieKat]

Have you been having any sinus issues? I know when my sinues are a mess my teeth ache, but it is from the pressuer build up, not something with my teeth. Also are you having any bleeding when you brush? That can be another early warning sign so to speak. As for the raw food issue I'm afraid I cannot help you with that, I've only started myself.

Jinx

[Jackie1995]

Well, let me preface my post with this: I am not a dentist.

I used to have very sensitive teeth - I mean, REALLY sensitive - to heat, cold, sweet foods, couldn't use the water pik, forget having teeth cleaned using sound waves! What a mess!

I started raw last year, and started using baking soda, a few tiny grains of himalayan or utah salt, and hydrogen peroxide as my "toothpaste". I also found out it's necessary for me to use my rotodent daily, to stimulate my gums so they don't get mushy and start to bleed.

Results: tooth sensitivity going away (my estimate: 90% gone); amount of plaque or tartar or whatever you call it is way down from normal 4 month visits to hygenist (her estimate: about 50% down). No new cavities or weak spots.

This was the favored periodontists' tooth cleaning recipe for patients years ago. I found out that the baking soda cleans, deodorizes and allows teeth to re-mineralize. The salt has 87 trace minerals in it and the peroxide kills bacteria around your gum line.

Works for me!

Also: I eat celery after each meal, to make my mouth alkaline; chewing wheat grass or other greens (kale, spinach, DARK leafy greens) also helps with the remineralization.

Dried fruits stuck on you teeth will assist in building huge colonies of bacteria and will rot your teeth quickly, so if I use them, I brush right after, and then I eat celery or call it a day and eat no more.

Flossing: very important, daily, and using those plastic toothpicks also helps keep your teeth free from food particles and keeps your gums healthy.

Hope this helps. Oh, by the way, most toothpastes have glycerine in them, and this stuff coats your teeth and will not allow for remineralization. Try to avoid it. Make your own toothpaste!

Good luck.

[chilove]

Have you been eating/drinking a lot of citrus? The only time my teeth hurt is when I overdo it on the citrus. Be sure to rinse out your mouth well or brush after eating anything!

[jaurequi]

My teeth sensitivity is almost gone now. I attribute this to greens. My latest dentist checkup about a month ago was great.
jackie1995, maybe it was your post a long time ago that I read about hydrogen peroxide...I looked into it a bit and decided to try it not too long ago. So far so good. The peroxide is a bit potent :); not much is needed.
I'm wondering what you think about the salt. I assume it's the high-mineral content that makes it beneficial; but what is your opinion on the abrasiveness? Last thing I need is to scratch off enamel.
Also, what kind of product are you referring? I would like to get a really effective, high-quality dental tool for cleaning teeth, gums and below the gumline. I just feel overwhelmed with the choices and don't really know what is best, especially not knowing anything about them.

What would you recommend? Price is no concern; I'd rather buy an expensive product that is going to give me maximum results than a cheap product with average results. I'll pay when it comes to my health :)

Thanks.

Best,

[debiannp]

I also found out it's necessary for me to use my rotodent daily, to stimulate my gums so they don't get mushy and start to bleed.

Where do you find the rotodent? I have looked locally but with no luck. Are the others just as good?

Thanks
Debi

[FloridaBahai]

On a raw food diet, your teeth should actually start to remineralize. Before raw, my teeth would hurt after having anything sweet. They haven't since starting raw. My jaws however, were sore at first. They are used to chewing now. :)

Some of these links below, address tooth sensitivity.

Have a look at these: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4814&highlight=sergei+boutenko+teeth+sensitivity
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=382&highlight=sergei+boutenko+teeth+sensitivity
http://www.maliburaw.com/healing_teeth_1.htm

Craig

[Jackie1995]

Hi Jaurequi, yep that was probably me, I'm on a mission to tell everyone about my new-found dental ideas!

A Rotodent is an electric, well, toothbrush type thing, with very soft bristles, that rotates very quickly and stimulates the gums, cleans the teeth and under the gums, and works very fast. For more information, see this site:

http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/rota-dent.htm

I use my Rotadent in the mornings without anything (no baking soda, no salt, no peroxide), just water, to clean my teeth from the overnight bacteria bash, and to get my gums awake. Later in the day, I use the plastic tooth picks to remove any food from between my teeth, and before bed I do the baking soda etc. routine, plus flossing. I will sometimes put 1/4 teaspoon of coconut oil in my mouth, and spread it around with my tongue to keep down the bacteria party for the night ahead. In the morning, I do NOT have "morning breath" anymore! Wow!

By the way, the rotadent site recommends using stuff like Periogard and fluoride with this rotadent, but I disagree. Periogard has a drug called chlorhexidrine in it, and you can read about the side effects of it on the same link. Fluoride is something I tend to avoid if possible, too.

Regarding the natural high mineral content salt, I use Utah sea salt or Himalayan sea salt, only a few grains (really, not a full "shake" of the bottle, only like 4 little grains) which dissolve in the peroxide. I put baking soda, salt and then peroxide in my palm, and mush it all together until salt is dissolved, then I load up the toothbrush and apply to my teeth and gums. So, abrasion is NOT an issue.

Good Luck! We should start an alternative toothpaste club! Ha ha ha!

[faith4u]

Jackie1995,

Thanks for telling about the stuff you use. About how much baking soda and how much hydrogen peroxide do you use?

Thanks

[jaurequi]

Hi Jaurequi, yep that was probably me, I'm on a mission to tell everyone about my new-found dental ideas!

...Good Luck! We should start an alternative toothpaste club! Ha ha ha!

:) Thanks for that info. I'm pretty excited about my dental improvements as well. I think it has more to do with my mineral intake than my brushing; but I really want to maximize my :D potential.
I used to have malocclusion, which is still there, but has improved; and I haven't the faintest idea how! I actually chew more now (with all the fresh raw I eat), and, I would think, that would be detrimental; but, perhaps not :confused:
I also know that my sensitivity has improved so much, it is almost gone; I hope soon, it will be completely.

Best,