Stages of a Cavity:
Cavities develop in a pattern and the earliest stage is not easily seen – unless you are searching for a small change in tooth color. The sign is a white spot that is dull and opaque. This color change indicates that the tooth has lost minerals and is softening. Sometimes this problem is discovered on X ray. Unfortunately X rays make the softened area appear to be a hole – and this often convinces people that a filling is needed.
Putting Back Minerals –for natural tooth repair:
As easily as minerals left a tooth, they can be returned. Remineralization is a method that can naturally reverse cavities in teeth. The earlier a cavity is detected, the quicker it can be reversed. Left untreated, the soft “first-stage” will progress and reversal becomes more difficult. The next stage happens when cavity bacteria enter the softened area and eventually start to burrow towards the center. Each stage of a cavity is progressively more difficult to reverse.
When bacteria have been able to move inside a cavity, it is necessary to use a program that will not only “attack” the bacteria but will heal the softened tooth at the same time. Xylitol, oxygen and antiseptics can help eradicate cavity bacteria and fluoride rinsing and xylitol will build minerals back into tooth layers. The more advanced the lesion, the harder it is to stop the damage. At these later stages, natural reversal can only happen if a vigorous program of tooth care is implemented and the progress should be closely monitored with bacteria counts and X ray analysis.
When is it Too Late to repair a cavity naturally?
Years ago there were concerns that teeth could not repair once decay reached a certain point (the enamel-dentin junction). These were the days before the use of xylitol. With the combined use of xylitol, specific rinses, probiotics and dietary changes I have often halted and reversed extensive cavities – cavities that had progressed well beyond this junction.
On the other hand, results and predictions about extensive tooth repair depend on individual patient assessment. There are contributing factors such as mouth acidity, diet, stress, breathing patterns etc. Each person has a different “risk” level for decay and an equally unique “healing” capacity.
Early cavities can be reversed, but no one can say with dogmatic conviction that a tooth repair is possible or impossible for deeper cavities. To predict this would involve a personal risk analysis and conversation to assess the patient’s salivary healing potential (taking into consideration salivary flow, mouth breathing etc). In addition to this, how dedicated is this patient to the their diet and use of rinses and xylitol? The risk of the lesion progressing must be evaluated into the dynamic, since an active lesion could progress and cause more involved problems. There is no “one size fits all” answer to this question, but remarkable healing is possible for the person prepared to make serious lifestyle changes.
——
Want to learn more about oral health? Click here to sign-up for our monthly e-guide!
——
For more information on oral health and xylitol, please visit all of Dr. Ellie’s web-sites:
Zellies.com – learn more & order your Zellies Xylitol & the Complete Mouth Care System
Dr. Ellie.com – a great resource for learning more about oral health & Dr. Ellie
Dr. E Oral Health Coaching – articles, resources and videos to help you learn more
Join the conversation online on the Zellies Facebook page!
Categories: Natural Solutions
Hi Dr. Ellie,
What advice do you have for someone who suffers from bruxism? I’ve recently been experiencing dull aching in my back molars which I think is due to grinding my teeth at night. I have a mouth guard, but am not the best about wearing it. Will xylitol and the rinses help to strengthen my teeth and protect against some of the problems that go along with bruxism?
Almost everyone grinds their teeth during the day and night – it is normal and causes no damage to healthy teeth. Problems start when you add a periods of stress, which can make you toss and turn in bed at night, and fall asleep grinding your teeth in an acidic mouth! Strong and healthy teeth do not grind away – they are too strong to be damaged. (The only exception is if you have porcelain crowns – which can damage the opposing teeth – since no tooth can compete “face to face” with the hardness of porcelain!)
When someone says you need a bite plate – it usually means that they can see the visible signs of acidic damage. The first thing you should consider is why do you have this damage? Do you drink pop, have GERD or acid reflux, eat or drink citrus juices, sour candies or clean your mouth with an acidic mouth rinse ( beware even xylitol mouth rinses are ACIDIC – which is why I do NOT recommend any xylitol mouth rinses).
I suggest starting my program ASAP – for a long-term solution to prevent enamel wear.
But, you need to think about why you have mouth acidity. Stress causes an acidic saliva – could it all be connected?
If you believe stress is your problem, maybe think about doing some energetic exercise every day to raise your heart rate and add yoga, stretching or meditation before bed. Also look at whole-food supplements, think about a better diet with sufficient fats, enjoy some sunshine and ensure you have enough vitamin D in your life! A bite plate is a temporary “mouth fix” – but it does nothing to “fix” the real problem.
How to get rid of a absess toot infection
If you have an abscess then you should see a dentist ASAP. A dead tooth is often the cause, and you may need to consider taking out this tooth – or possibly having a root canal and crown made. Whatever the outcome – consider looking after your teeth with the Complete Mouth Care System and using Zellies to get your mouth in a healthier state.
Hi Dr. Ellie,
A small part of my tooth chipped out recently, is it possible to naturally repair it or a visit to the dentist is in order?
If a natural tooth chips for no good reason – then it indicates that your tooth enamel is soft and crying out for help! You probably need to go to the dentist for a repair but don’t ignore the reason for the problem. Xylitol can protect your teeth from acid attacks – and the Complete Mouth Care System I recommend will rebuild strength into teeth. Check out the booklet that describes this system of mouth care HERE.
I have a white spot with a pin hole size tan brown in the middle. There’s no
pain and I have decayed roots of a tooth that need to ne removed. Can I still reminerializeOne cavity with current decay. I have been using your system as you stated in your book for a month. But I use salt water due to allergic reaction to Closys.
What kind of reaction did you have? I am sorry you are not using the Closys – it is a very useful part of the system.
Usually a cavity will take about 6 months to heal – and it may look a bit worse before it starts to look better!
Hi Dr. Ellie. I would like to ask if 60% of one of my tooth has a cavity, does it have to be filled or does it need to be removed? Then how about for root canal (I don’t actually understand when a tooth needs a root canal already) Thank you!
With 60% of your tooth gone – you may be at the point of needing an extraction. My system is amazing, but it cannot revive a dead tooth! The real question is whether or not the nerve is now dead or if this cavity happened very slowly.
A new cavity takes about a year to form, and will barely show on the surface of the tooth during this time. For a large cavity to form, it takes many, many years along with fracturing off of parts of the tooth weakened by the damage.
I have worked with elderly patients who had a cavity form in their youth, and it was never filled. In old age this tooth had naturally repaired from the outside and inside, and had naturally protected the inner nerve, so the tooth remained alive and was protected from the original infection. This will not happen unless the reason for the cavity ( the disease) is stopped and no more damage happens. In dentistry this is called “arrested” caries – in other words the cavity infection stopped by itself or because the patient made a change of habit ( or started on the Zellies Complete Mouth Care System!)
Naturally arrested decay in a tooth is unusual – and with a big cavity the nerve in the tooth is usually dead and infected. With a dead or infected nerve in a tooth I suggest you consider extracting it and figure out if this tooth needs to be replaced or not.
Hi Dr. Ellie,
My Daughter is 7 years old and at the end of 2011 (6 years old) she lost her first set of teeth (front two and front bottom two). She had her permanant teeth for about 6 months or so and I noticed they were kind of yellowing. Also her bottom front tooth has a white spot on it. I took her to the dentist and he said there was nothing he could do about the white (soft spot) and the yellowing teeth. He said it was more than likely from an antibiotic she had when she was little. She has never has an antibiotic. Now you have the history, my question is should she be seeing a pediatric dentist? I have started her on the zellie routine about a month ago. It is very hard to get her to do the routine in the morning since getting her up for school and trying to get her out the door does not permit the time. So it is mainly done in the evenings.
Thanks for you help,
JV
Hi JV – this is a great question since many parents have concerns about the color of new teeth as they erupt around age 7 or 8. All new adult ( permanent) teeth appear to be dark in color, especially when they erupt next to very white baby teeth.
The problem with adult teeth is that the outside enamel is “soft” at the time of eruption. These teeth need to absorb minerals onto their outer surface in order to brighten and whiten. Tooth enamel has no color – it is clear and translucent – like glass. A tooth looks white when light reflects correctly off its surface, and this is dependent on the smoothness and strength of the enamel “glass”. Newly erupted teeth are rough and weak – so they always look dark and yellowish. Sadly the worst thing to do is use bleaching, peroxide or whitening products. Any of these pastes, strips or rinses will damage (possibly permanently) the structure of the dentin and enamel – and several recent studies have warned dentists about these dangers!
Most teeth take about 2 years to naturally whiten – but there are safe things you can do to speed up this process. Most important, avoid drinks that are acidic as much as possible – and if you can’t avoid them – at least keep them to meal times. Acidic drinks (especially citrus fruit juices and drinks) will pull minerals OUT of teeth like a vacuum – to delay or stop your progress!
There are many good foods that help put minerals into teeth – organic milk, hard cheeses, nutritious soups, meats, fish etc. At the end of every meal enjoy a few Zellies mints – (the fruit ones are delicious) – so that xylitol can help put minerals deep into teeth.
If the idea of using the entire rinse program is too complex for your daughter at this time – at least use Crest Cavity Protection paste and the ACT rinse. The dilute sodium fluoride in both these products will help strengthen these teeth. Used twice a day, the time for mineralization can be reduced by about a third…and you will see results more quickly. Make sure the last thing on your daughter’s teeth at night is the ACT – spit out the rinse but don’t eat or drink anything before going to bed. This way the teeth will have time to harden over night.
In a little while (maybe when she is encouraged by progress) try to add Closys before brushing. This will ensure that her gums stay healthy, as bleeding gums can stain soft teeth. Closys also helps remove surface stains if there are some on her teeth already. Maybe you feel comfortable to take some before, during, and after, pictures of these teeth – something to encourage your daughter and possibly for us to share with others in a year or two!
Thanks again for your question,
Ellie
Hi, I have a 7 year old daughter who has always had problems with her teeth….I nursed her until she was 16 months old. by the time she was 3yrs old she had several cavities. She had never eaten chewy sticky or hard candies. Since then she has still had problem teeth, her 2 back molars were very sensitive to cold water during her cleanings and are molted, so they capped them. Now her her new top tooth came in and it is molted as well. What can I do to help my sweet girl?……I don’t want her to be self conscious about her teeth…..kids ask her why her tooth is like that and she thinks that she is not doing a good job brushing and if she brushes enough it will go away.
Anything I can do to help her teeth I am all for = )
Thanks!
Cavities are an infection – and this is passed to a baby in saliva from either another child, or most often a parent who has had cavities at some time in their life. The germs are called Streptococcus mutans and they never go away once you are infected – unless you eat xylitol. You need at least 5 grams of xylitol each day to get rid of this infection. We have a lot of information about how to do this on our website. This is the best way to help your daughter.
A little bit of the correct fluoride will be useful and it will work in harmony with xylitol to heal teeth. If you live in the US then you should be able to follow our Zellies Complete Mouth Care system for your older children, and use a modified version for your younger children. It is all described in our xylitol booklet.Let me know if you need more help. Cavities are a preventable disease, when you know what to do. Please don’t let your children suffer and think there is no way to improve their teeth.
You must be very careful to get the correct toothpastes etc. because the products work together – just like special ingredients in a cake recipe!
In addition….to add to the history. We have always used purified but for some time we switched to just distilled water for I would say about 1yr or more because we were told distilled water was good for you, after learning that it lacks minerals we switched back to purified water. I have 4 other children, my 2 oldest do not get cavities and my 3 youngest, have probably gotten cavities on almost all of their baby teeth. My youngest who is 4 just got 6 fillings a few days ago, and the dentist gave me fluoride to put on her teeth as well as another fluoride to brush on her teeth once a week….since to much fluoride is a cause of fluorosis, should i be putting this on her teeth? Thank You!
I understand the problem with distilled water – it is a very common mistake that people make.
I personally trust xylitol a lot more than adding lots of fluoride.
I usually suggest a small amount of fluoride toothpaste ( Crest) or a drop of ACT to be brushed on teeth – plus xylitol at the end of meals and after drinks.
The paste your dentist gave you may be fine too – it is hard to know what that was.
Generally any concern about fluorosis is with children who are under 3 years old – so that should not be a problem. However no one should ingest unnecessary fluoride. Also weaker fluoride appears to work on teeth equally as well (and maybe better) than stronger fluoride. This is why ACT seems to be advantageous and just as effective.
You may want to start teaching your 4 year old how to rinse and spit – using water at first, but when she is good at that, she could use ACT rinse after brushing.A rinse gets into all the places between teeth – which is hard to reach with toothpaste alone.
Hi Dr. Ellie,
I’ve noticed that the shape of two of my teeth is becoming slightly irregular, most probably from nail biting. Apart from quitting this awful habit, what can i do to fix the existing damage?
Thanks for your question. I’d really need to know a bit more about your teeth, but I’m guessing they are being damaged by acidity and maybe they get dry because you sleep with your mouth open for some reason (or you have allergies or sinus issues???)
Usually brittle enamel is because you have too much acidic damage happening. Acidity pulls minerals out of teeth and makes them chip and break. The answer is Zellies mints and gum to control acidic damage. Also try to stop sipping drinks – keep sugary or acidic drinks to meal times only.
In addition to protecting your teeth after everything you eat or drink, I’d suggest you are careful about the way you clean your teeth before bed and in the morning. The Zellies Complete Mouth Care System is the perfect way to do this, but at the very least start using Crest Cavity Protection paste (the original formulation) and ACT dilute sodium fluoride mouthwash. These products will help build strength into your teeth to stop the chipping and damage.
Also, be warned that bleaching teeth, whitening pastes and rinses, baking soda, and products that contain glycerin will work against you. Make sure you do not use any of these products while you are working to strengthen your teeth.
Hope this helps – please let us know what happens if you make changes – we’d like to know the results!
Ellie
HI my 2 front tooth has holes in the front of it what should i do?
im scared to tell me parents.
I need to know far more about this problem to be able to advise you – and it is best for me to see a picture of the problem. At very least you need to start using pure xylitol every day. Zellies mints and gum are great – or you can try granular xylitol ( which you can buy for about $10 at a health food store). Add a teaspoon to water and drink this every day. You must stop drinking soda, juice and other damaging drinks. Clean your teeth twice a day with Crest Cavity Protection paste and use ACT fluoride mouth rinse every day – always before bed.
Madam, 15 days ago i fell on my upper incisors and the dentist tells me that my 3 teeth are damaged but not fractured. He told me I need a root canal but my question is can my teeth naturally repair and become healthy again?
Unfortunately this damage is beyond my system’s help.
When teeth are hit in an accident, the concern is that the blood supply becomes fractured in the accident. If this happens, the teeth will technically “die” because they loose their blood supply.
Sometimes a very young tooth may survive an accident and “re-grow” the necessary blood supply and survive, but usually (after the age of about 14) a serious fall or hit to a tooth will cause it to die – either immediately or over time.
Treatment is necessary to remove the dead or dying nerve ( by doing a root canal) and then it is necessary to cover or crown the tooth to protect it for the future. There really is no other way.
I guess you can wait for a little while, but don’t leave a dead tooth in your mouth – because it can cause pain and become a center of infection that affects body health.
yaah madam, i have done root canal treatment but the question is that how many days required to pack my teeth in gums which is loose(central incisiors) teeth? can i eat with this teeth?
In my opinion and from my research on internet and by reading books, the real cause of tooth decay is not bacteria. Tooth decay is basically caused by deficiency of nutrients in our diet. These nutrients provide strength to teeth and resistance against decay. Therefore it’s better to educate people on importance of diet and nutrition. If care is taken with food and only healthy and nutritious food is consumed then there will be no tooth decay. I gathered this valuable information from a book “Cure tooth decay” in which the author has described the causes of tooth decay and has given an effective diet plan which not only helps in prevention but also in reversal of tooth decay.
Certainly diet plays an important role in oral health and, as you point out, poor nutrition contributes to dental disease in many ways. Snacking on sugary or acidic foods promotes harmful mouth conditions, and an improper diet can contribute to acid reflux and unbalanced gut flora. Poor absorption of nutrients will affect the quality of saliva – which is vital for tooth health. However, saliva quality is also influenced by hormones, stress, age, medications, depression, general health etc. – often beyond the control of the patient or their diet. This is why we look at all the factors when assessing mouth health ( and they are discussed in detail in my book Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye).
We also consider plaque bacteria which are transmissible (DNA testing shows they spread between friends and family members) and the patient’s existing oral health. Dental work always weakens teeth and makes them more likely to break or fracture.
Patients are happy to understand why they have bad teeth or why they suddenly became unhealthy. Now they can work to avoid future problems. A pregnant woman, with an acidic mouth, will need more than diet to protect her oral health. Risk factors vary from individual to individual and this is why our advice should be tailored to these needs. People with minimal risk may only need a good diet – but this won’t be enough for others – which is where xylitol and my system can come to the rescue!
Hi Dr. Ellie,
Do you have any recommendations for a 19 month old’s teeth? Her enamel appears to be eroding on two of her front teeth. She eats a very healthy diet (lots of vegetables and fruits, no sugars or processed grains) I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. She drinks small amounts of orange juice blended with kale and banana as a smoothie. She also loves oranges and raisins, but I try to limit those. I use a xylitol toothpaste for children to brush her teeth before bed, and she’s still nursing. Thank you!
Dentists talk about eroding rather than decaying when they describe damage from foods or drinks that are acidic- and it happens because acids eat away the minerals and weaken teeth. Juices, popsicles, raw veggies (like kale) and even smoothies etc can contribute to erosion – and citrus fruits ( oranges, grapefruits and lemons) are powerful at damaging tooth enamel. The trick is to keep all erosive foods and juices to meal-times and don’t use them as snacks between meals. At the conclusion of every meal, end with a food or drink that is tooth-protective. The ideal are Zellie’s Polar Bears. Alkaline veggies (like celery or avocado) are good meal endings or between-meal snacks, and so are nuts, nut-butters and protein foods, like organic chicken and cheeses.
The problem with most toothpaste is that they do not strengthen or rebuild tooth enamel. Some can be OK for kids with perfect teeth – but it sounds as if your daughter’s teeth need help to stop erosion. I recommend a rice-grain amount of Crest Cavity Protection toothpaste, either wiped or brushed onto the damaged teeth. Do this twice a day if possible. Crest contains ingredients that help rebuild tooth enamel. The only food that can help rebuild teeth is hard cheddar cheese.
If you make these changes and protect your daughter’s teeth from prolonged acidity, Crest will be able to strengthen them. Then I believe you will prevent any more damage. I am not certain if you will reverse the damage, but at least you will be able to continue nursing your daughter and avoid damage to these teeth. Maybe you will want to take pictures every few weeks and compare the condition of these teeth, to ensure they are improving and not deteriorating. If you are worried or do not know what to look at – please let me know and I will help you. With Zellie Bears and by applying a tiny amount of the correct Crest paste, you should see these teeth becoming “shinier” ( stronger) in 6-8 weeks.
Thank you for your response! I took her to a local pediatric dentist today. They did an xray, and apparently the discoloration is due to cavities. I was told that she needs a baby root canal on one or two teeth and caps on all four of her front upper teeth. I’m very sad about this. The dentist said that the root is not affected yet, but it is very close. According to the dentist, this is due to nighttime nursing. I’ve read conflicting information about night nursing and cavities. If I brush her teeth and apply a bit of Crest as directed, do you think the breast milk still has the same potential to decay her teeth? I’m trying to night wean her, but I don’t think it’s going to happen very quickly. If I attempt to wipe her teeth after nursing, she struggles and wakes herself up. I hadn’t been giving her much cheese or animal products – just eggs and salmon, I will incorporate more into her diet and cut back on the acidic foods until her teeth improve. I will also be going for a second opinion about the root canal and caps this week with a holistic dentist. Again, thank you so much for your helpful information. I’ve started your system for myself and have been telling my family and friends about it.
Me again. I just found more information about the questions I asked above in your section on sedation for children. This question may be answered elsewhere, but how many bears / how much xylitol should a 19 month old have per day? Thanks!
Hi Dr. Ellie – I recently had some dental trauma to one of my front teeth. The dentist added some bonding to my front tooth that I did not request and it has since been removed – along with some of my enamel. I now have a thin crack/craze line on that tooth that is very noticeable to me in certain lighting. I had it checked by a dentist and he said it isn’t a fracture as it doesn’t go through to the back of the tooth. I’m not sure if it has always been there or if it was caused by the recent dental work. I just started using your system about a week ago. Do you think it will be possible for me to heal this crack/craze line by using your system?
I’m sorry you damaged your tooth – and it seems likely the craze lines originated during this trauma.
My system will certainly help – but give it time – at least 3-6 months for repair. You may want to make your own photo journal of this period of time – to watch for changes and improvements.
Ensure you protect teeth from acidity and sugary ingredients – eating Zellies after every meal, snack and drink. Also consider giving your teeth time to interact with saliva every day for a couple of hours ( don’t sip any drinks – even water – for a couple of hours after lunch, when saliva is usually at its most healing).
You may want to check your nutrition, and possibly add supplements and probiotics during this healing period. The quality of your saliva is dependent on good nutrition.
If you did not purchase the system products from us – be sure to read the system booklet carefully – and pay attention to the details – which are important. Here is a link to the booklet. LINK
Thanks so much for your quick reply. Have you seen others able to heal craze lines using your system?
I am using the toothpaste/rinses as specified in the booklet, however the xylitol mints I have are called Xyla – they are simply xylitol and natural peppermint oil.
Would you recommend any specific supplements/probiotics I should take?
Thanks!
1. Are products which promote remineralizaton of enamel (such as fluoride, xylitol, etc.) also effective on the area of the tooth surface below the enamel–not sure if this is called ‘dentin’ or ‘cementum’, but due to receded gums, some of this is exposed in my mouth.
2. How optimistic would you be about healing–or at least avoiding the need for a filling–in an area not detected by the dental technician using the diagnodent, but where the dentist managed to force the explorer into the tooth. (This was on my first–and last–visit to this dentist, who wanted to do $10,000 of unnecessary work. I’m also aware now from your book that this style of using the explorer is undesirable.)
THANK YOU in advance for your comments: much appreciated!
Hello i have a little hole in my front teeth and its getting to be notice. So im in need to find something over the counter, but i dont know what to purchase, can you help me?
Check out our Complete Mouth Care System and the use of Zellies xylitol products. You should be able to stop the problem, and if the hole is not too big it can sometimes be reversed. Here is a link to the booklet about the system: LINK
Hi Dr. Ellie: I want to thank you for providing so much information on your site. It’s been very helpful, and there is a lot worth considering, here.
I have two questions:
First, I have struggled for the last decade with periodontitis. My dentist is telling me that I need to have that tooth plus 5 others pulled, a fact which an oral/maxillofacial surgeon (recommended by my dentist) has confirmed. My instinct is to try to hang on to at least 4 of the teeth, instead of pulling all 6 (perhaps just pulling the one broken tooth, plus another that is very loose). Do you think your system could help me reverse some of the damage, including the gum disease, and save those teeth for a few more years; or am I simply in denial? I’m only 45! 🙁
Also, I bought a container of birchwood-based xylitol; however, after a week or so, I could no longer use even a teaspoon in my coffee, because every single time I went to the bathroom. Can I get all the benefits without ingesting the xylitol, by rinsing and/or brushing with it?
If I were in your shoes I would begin using the Complete Mouth Care System ASAP. The final part of your message tells me that you have either a poor diet or poor digestion. Both diet and digestive health need to improve if you have any hope of arresting the obviously aggressive gum problems you are experiencing. You need to use the Complete Mouth Care System twice each day and clean your toothbrush very carefully to avoid re-contamination in your mouth, each time you brush.
Brushing needs to be done so that you stimulate circulation in your gums. You may need a better toothbrush ( especially if yours is too big, too soft or electric). Use the brush on your gums – making small circles on the gums to get the circulation going. Don’t worry so much about brushing your teeth – work on massaging your gums with your toothbrush.
You need to improve your diet as much as possible with fresh fruits and veggies. You may be a smoker or a soda drinker – and if so, you’ll need food-derived vitamins to help you. Consider Garden of Life Raw Probiotics( available in a health store). You need to super-charge your immune cells and allow them to “clean up” your gums – from the inside out.
Xylitol is hugely beneficial – and I’d suggest you have Zellies mints rather than granular xylitol. One mint ( 0.5 grams) after a meal is a better way to enjoy xylitol and even this small amount will be protective of your mouth health. Using a teaspoon ( 5 grams) in coffee is not as helpful for your oral health. If I were you, I would work to clean up my teeth – at least for a month – before deciding on extractions. There is no down side to improving your digestive and oral health.
I have gingivitis and I’m getting a deep clean treatment in 2 weeks. I have a tingling sensation in one of my incisors bottom teeth. is there anything I can do to strengthen my teeth and I think I have weak enamel and my teeth are yellow. have you got any advice for me
My advice is to get on the Complete Mouth Care System as quickly as possible, following all the advice in our booklet- especially about cleaning toothbrushes and how this infection spreads from person to person. You should try and eat healthy, keep drinks to mealtimes, consider probiotics, and end every meal with Zellies mints or gum.
Gingivitis can quickly become a more serious Periodontal Disease – so you are wise to act quickly – but a dental cleaning is not going to change a thing. This is a bacterial infection and only good sensible home care will end the problem!
how quick can gingivitis turn in to periodontal disease.
where do you get zellies mint or gum from. i live in england
Hey, just wondering about oil pulling and the adverse effects it had for me. After doing it for a month, I am experiencing sensitivity, loosened teeth and transparency on the tips and edges f teeth. Could it ave leach minerals from my teeth and is there anyway to get the colour back and rid of transparency and sensitivity. Regards kiera
Yes – I believe it is likely that oil pulling can cause these adverse effects in women, mainly because they have less protein in their saliva. I have a blog about this – and don’t routinely recommend oil pulling. Here is the link: LINK
Sorry , I can’t seem to get into the link. Just wondering can you recommend anything to reverse the damage I ave done. I’m pretty upset over it as it was my own fault, didn’t realise it could have this effect. Do you believe I can fix my teeth. Tanks Kiera
Ah sorry found the blog. You describe it well the effects I am having….my teeth feel raw, like I’ve taken the protective layer off and sensitive and loose and I’m very thirsty?
I only wish I came across your advice before I started oil pulling:(
Just wondering if your system would help in the healing….any advice welcome. Thanks a million. Kiera
How can I get my front tooth white after discoloration from a dead nerve.
If your tooth is dead – it needs to have the nerve removed – but I’m assuming this has probably already been done. You never want to leave a dead tooth in the mouth. Once the nerve has been cleaned away – it is recommended to have the tooth crowned immediately. With a front tooth, it’s possible your dentist will suggest that he/ or she crowns this tooth and the adjacent tooth – to make the two look symmetrical and identical in color.
How to clean an abcess tooth infection until I get to the doctors office
My tooth enamel is getting translucent how do I restore it?
Two mouth conditions weaken enamel: 1) acidity and 2) mouth dryness
Once enamel is weak – it is easily worn away, especially if you use abrasive toothpaste or acidic mouth rinses.
To combat thinning enamel, control acidity in your mouth – especially from citrus fruits like lemons, or from drinking juices or sodas. Zellies mints and gum can be enjoyed at the end of every meal and after every snack to protect your teeth from acidity. I suggest you avoid any bleaching products, baking soda products, or oral care products that make the mouth acidic.(Most products that are advertised for dry mouth will leave the mouth acidic – so beware and avoid).
You may want to check the Complete Mouth Care System that I recommend – since it helps make teeth more acid-resistant and helps put minerals back into enamel.
Here is a link to this system: Here
Hi. My 12 year old daughters front teeth are a little bit see through, and there is a dark white patch in the middle. And she says that her front teeth are very sensitive, even while just biting things or breathing through her mouth.
You want to try and figure out what is damaging your child’s teeth. It will be something acidic or because her mouth is drier than usual for some reason. Dry mouth and acidity are the two main reasons that teeth loose their strength.
Acidity may be from eating or drinking citrus juices or drinks. Sometimes it is from a habit that involves sucking sour things – like lemons or grapefruits. You daughter may have sinus, allergies or some other reason that causes her to breath through her mouth – and this dries teeth and puts stress on them.
It is essential to stop any damaging habits, start using Zellies mints and gum to protect teeth – and use Crest Cavity Protection toothpaste and ACT 0.05% fluoride rinse twice daily to help build minerals back into these teeth naturally. With good care and less damage, these teeth should feel better in a couple of weeks.
Please let us know about your progress.
Hi there, I am very interested in trying your program but have been told to stay away from Fluoride for health reasons. Is there any other product I can use that would act similar to the flouride rinses you mentioned? Also, if I am using the granulated xylitol, how many teaspoons is equivalent to 6-10 grams of the daily intake needed?
Xylitol will help protect teeth from acidic damage, and also help limit plaque. The best time for these benefits is to consume a little xylitol at the end of every meal, snack and after every drink. Frequency is the key – so a small amount of xylitol ( about 1 gram) five times a day is the recommended amount. A teaspoon of granular xylitol is about 4-5 grams.
Dilute fluoride works synergistically with xylitol and can help to smooth surface tooth enamel and also strengthen teeth. We do not recommend consuming fluoride – but it can be helpful when used topically on teeth to prevent the need for fillings and other dental treatments.
thank you for your comment! one other question, I have heard long term use of xylitol can make the mouth resistant to it and it loses its effect. Have you heard of this?
I have a 25 month old. I started noticing about 4 months ago that his top two front teeth have tiny brown spots (2 on each tooth) in the back in a groove and the front of the teeth up near the gum seem to be softening or disintegrating. He is a real stinker about letting me brush but I do the best I can each day. I took him to the dentist about a month ago but he wasn’t very cooperative and she said she thinks its just grooves in his teeth. Not very helpful. My gut tells me they are eroding or something. What can I do. He doesn’t seem to have any pain.
We address the way to care for baby teeth on my website http://www.DrEllie.com
Basically now is the time to initiate xylitol – maybe ZellieBears and possibly a tiny amount (rice grain size) of Crest Cavity Protection toothpaste on the affected stained areas – to ensure they don’t get bigger.
Check carefully any snacks and drinks – especially what is in a Sippy cup or bottle. If you need to sweeten milk – use xylitol that is safe for teeth and actually cleans and protects them. Here is a link to my suggestions: LINK
Hi,
My son has fluorosis, caused I think by fluoride drops the dentist recommended when he was little. Now his adult teeth are yellow and mottled looking. Will the fluoride in your system be ok for his teeth, I wouldn’t want them to get any worse?
Many thanks,
Josie
Yes xylitol, fluoride ( and the Complete Mouth Care System) will be very beneficial for these new teeth. The risk of fluorosis is only during the first 3 years of life. He is not at any risk now. The defects in his teeth will not go away, but if the enamel around them becomes stronger ( with the use of my System) these teeth will naturally look brighter and whiter. This process is subtle and may take several years – so you may want to take photos as a personal record.
Many thanks for your encouraging reply.
I think i over used whitening strips and my teeth have turned yellow and feel rough after being very white. Have I permanently damaged my teeth.
Whitening can be a real problem and after using whitening products teeth can be in greater danger should they become infected with cavity bacteria (because they have lost some natural protein from the inside of the tooth). Many researchers warn that whitening has bad consequences – but these warnings fall on deaf ears. Your best hope is to start to reverse the damage and protect your teeth from demineralization. It would be good to consider what are your most likely acidity sources ( acid reflux, dry mouth, acidic drinks etc.) and use Zellies to protect your teeth – along with the Complete Mouth Care System. I suggest you avoid products that contain baking soda, glycerine, and other ingredients that could damage mouth chemistry.
Update: I just got back from the dentist. He inspected my mouth and took panoramic x-rays so they could see my entire mouth. Dentist could not find anything wrong, and says my sore gums, on and off throbbing/pain are probably still due to clenching and grinding. I have been using a store bought mouth guard since last month, but they say the professional one will be much better for me. It will be ready in about a week (Vinyl & Acrylic). They confirmed once again that the cavity I had on my left tooth is no longer there – I am so thankful. Many thanks once again to you for taking the time to teach us how to keep our teeth healthy. God bless you loads! PS Are you still working on your new book? Wish you all the very best and can’t wait to read it! You’re an answer to prayers!
Dr ellie I have a hole in 1 front tooth and both molars on top haven’t had insurance for about 3 or 4 years so I couldn’t go to a dentist and I’m 22 just got on the Illinois medical card so I guess they have limits on what can be done for fillings crowns etc not sure what to do as of now and scared to go to the dentist
If I were in your shoes – I’d start using Zellies and the Complete Mouth Care System as soon as possible. You may want to also go gluten free and think about diet and general health at the same time. Take these “health steps” month by month – working to evaluate your progress after a few weeks. I am sure you will quickly see how much better your mouth feels!
Hi i am now 5 weeks pregnant and just previously had my 1st son 4 months ago. When i was pregnant with him i found out i had to get 6 fillings done and they were also cleaned one of my wisdom teeth were filled and now at the top close to the gum is starting to rot away i also found out that there are a lot of places on my teeth hat are calcium build up and i just can’t seem to get my teeth healthy again i need help bad
During pregnancy the mouth is acidic – and there’s not much you can do to change that! The problem is that this mouth acidity pulls minerals from your teeth and weakens them – allowing cavity bacteria to enter the open pores in the surface. Of course, I’d suggest you get on my Complete Mouth Care System immediately – but at the very least, get started with Zellies and buy the Crest Cavity Protection toothpaste – the original formulation – not any of the “new and improved” ones. Eat one or two Zellies (mints or gum) after each meal, snack or drink. Try also to keep drinks – as much as possible – to mealtimes and then end with a Zellie mint or piece of gum. You will easily stop the progression of this damage and the tartar build up.
Here is a link to the toothpaste that can help you : LINK
how long does it take to heal a cavity
Usually a new cavity takes about 12 months to form ….and a cavity that is about a year old, takes less than 6 months to heal completely.
If you stop and think about this – anyone using a good “repair” or “remineralizing” system cannot get a cavity 🙂
hi i am 22 years old and i have a small cavity on the outer side of my front tooth . so can you tell me want should i do to heal the small cavity at home naturally
I’d suggest Zellie’s 100% xylitol mints and gum after every meal, snack and drink. These will reduce acidic damage and turn your tooth in the right direction of healing! Morning and night you need to use a home care system that helps to strengthen teeth and put minerals back into enamel.
My Complete Mouth Care System is the process I recommend because it appears to be the most successful at remineralizing teeth. The system is a little complicated to understand until you get started – but, once you see and feel success, it is so easy to use and also to keep going.
Results will speak for themselves – Good luck!
I have a small white mark on my front tooth. There is a small tanned indent on it. Can this be fixed?
A small white mark on a tooth can be from a permanent defect (often too much fluoride as a child – called fluorosis) but if you have only recently noticed this it may be the start of a cavity. Demineralization is the pulling of minerals out of teeth. Acidic drinks or foods are usually the culprits that cause this damage (think smoothies, soda, carbonated water etc.) The good news is that lost minerals can be replaced. Check out the Complete Mouth Care System and use xylitol after every snack, meal or drink. With this kind of exceptional mouth care you can replace minerals into teeth and reverse this white spot damage in a couple of months. I’d suggest trying that before you try to get it fixed at a dentist.
Hi Ellie, I have been using your system for nearly 2 years now, it has worked a treat at keeping my braces clean! I had my braces off today and I noticed a brown mark between 2 teeth top left. It is visible when I smile and looks like food at the gum line but isn’t. What might it be and how can I get rid of it? I have had problems with de-mineralization in past. The only thing I don’t do in your system is the Xylitol as it gave me stomach ache. Thanks!
Hi Katie. It is impossible for me to tell you about this brown spot on your teeth – let’s hope it is not a cavity! I would love you to learn more about xylitol – and benefit from it. Our bodies make xylitol every day, and it also helps improve and heal the digestive tract lining. Problems from xylitol usually happen to people who already have digestive problems, but there is a solution that will help them ( and their stomach) get acquainted with xylitol without “stomach ache”. Never eat too much xylitol at once. I suggest one mint (0.5 grams per mint) at the end of each meal – for at least the first month. You may want to also take some supplements to improve digestive health at the same time, since xylitol and probiotics work synergistically and this gives your digestion a bonus! I think you will find many benefits come by working to improve digestive health. Be sure to eliminate all artificial sweeteners – like Splenda, aspertame and nutrasweet – as they do incredibly bad things to disrupt gut health.
I have very weak teeth like so weak they crack and break on thier own ive lost 3 already and as i type now a fourth is hurting.Since i was a child ive had this tooth problem and when i brush my teeth they bleed, need help how can i repair my teeth?
I would immediately suggest two things – think carefully about the things that you eat and drink – anything sugary or acidic will harm your teeth and the more you sip and snack the worse for your teeth. Pure xylitol at the end of EVERY snack, meal and drink will help limit damage. Then build strength and health by using the Complete Mouth Care System. Let us know if you have trouble locating the booklet that describes all the steps. You can make a huge difference to your teeth and end these problems for ever.
I would like to order some of your zellies products in the Uk. When I try and order the site says ‘one or more of the products cannnot be delivered to that address’. Is it possible to post some zellies to the Uk?
Thanks Carol
At this time we do not ship to the UK or to other countries, except Canada. There is a way to order through http://www.myUS.com and they will give you a US shipping address. If you get a group of friends together this may be an option for now. Thanks for the question.
Hi Dr Ellie
Love what you are doing to educate people/parents on having healthy teeth!
I have a 5 year old scheduled for 4 fillings in four quadrants of his mouth, one of which they aren’t yet sure if it will need a root canal. I think children’s cavities tend to progress more quickly and are less likely to remineralize. He has just started on your Complete Mouth Care System (except Listerine), but I’m trying to assess how quickly Xylitol etc are effective in halting the active decay process. I just don’t want his prognosis to get any worse. Thanks!
Also separately, I have older (age 10 and 12) children with sealants. Once on the program for 6 months, what do you think of having sealants removed?
Once sealants are in place there is no point in removing them. It’s just a learning lesson and we all have to learn. Be sure to tell your friends to carefully consider sealants and not think they are the answer to oral health. Thanks for your message!
I have a 13 year old who said her tooth has a toothpick sized hole. She has generally nice brushing habits. This happened after she got an appliance in her mouth and she took off some cement with a toothpick that had been loose. She said there’s no pain so is their any way for it not to spread bacteria and is it a cavity.
I would get your 13 year old onto the Complete Mouth Care System. She should be able to reverse this cavity without the need for any filling very easily. It usually takes about three months for a small cavity to reverse! So much better than a filling which will always need more maintenance and repair throughout life. A pristine tooth with no filling is empowered for a lifetime of health!
I just noticed that I have some crack lines in my front teeth. Are Zellie’s gums able to cure them? If so, what else can I do to assist the healing? Thanks!
Cracks and sensitivity in teeth are basically “symptoms” or signs of an underlying problem – and imbalance in the biochemistry or your mouth “ecosystem”.
Xylitol/Zellie’s are certainly central to any efforts to improve mouth health – but there is so much more to consider. This is why I have written two books (one soon to be published) and still don’t have room to cover all the things I would like to teach people about how to enjoy mouth health. I do offer an eight-week personalized course on oral health: it’s an hour one-on-one each week, for eight weeks – and is currently available if you were interested.I’d walk you through this process and by the end verbally “walk you” through the dental visit where you will find out your tooth cracks have healed!
HI,
I have a small outside filling on my first molar. It fell out. The tooth behind it also had a small outer filling intact . But it also has a partial crown. My dentist suggested Pinhole technique for Both teeth. Removing the intact filling in the second tooth and moving the gum line over them. My question is, does this prevent further cavities or decay from the teeth. I am 53 and have what I would call normal mild recession of gum line. Is this really necessary? I have heard that outer fillings only last 7-8 yrs. Each time the tooth has to be re drilled to apply another filling. (weakening the tooth?) Thanks
Hi Anne – The sides of teeth create such small but annoying fillings. My answer may be long in comparison! Side fillings are always a pain and often fall out – but they don’t have to. My suggestion is to begin by improving your oral health. Fillings fall out when enamel is fragile – kind of like dry skin. Enamel flakes around the edges of the filling. This is why your goal should be to strengthen the enamel and stop pieces chipping away from around fillings. I suggest my Complete Mouth Care System and the use of Zellie’s after every meal, snack, and drink. Also keep drinks to mealtimes as much as possible. Your digestive health is another part of the equation – as this controls the mineral content of saliva. The goal is to give your teeth time to interact with your saliva -so minerals from saliva will harden your teeth. The more time teeth have with saliva the stronger they become. Allow your teeth to interact with your saliva more often, more times, every day. I suggest you do my Complete Mouth Care System for at least 6-12 months before you make another decision about this procedure and even before you put any kind of filling in this hole. Pin hole surgery is the “latest” craze – and in some situations this may be useful, but I don’t really think this is essential here – as it is not dealing with the problem. You have a fragile enamel problem. Solve that first. Then get an excellent dentist to do an excellent filling and it should last a very long time – if not forever – even without pinhole surgery.
Hi Dr. Ellie,
I started using your program exactly as you described, but I am noticing that my teeth are chipping in the back, at first there was one chip. My dentist was not concerned because he said my teeth were very hard and I have no cavities. But it seem since the last time I went to the dentist for a cleaning, that my teeth feel rougher in the back and there are more chips. I read somewhere that Fluoride weakens teeth and makes them brittle. I know I must grind, and I use a guard when I go to sleep, but now I am getting concerned that my teeth are wearing away. 🙁 My dentist moved away and I am in the process of finding a new on.
My system will strengthen teeth – but I cannot tell you why your teeth are chipping at the back without looking. Topical application of fluoride will help stop teeth chipping not make them weaker. DRINKING fluoride at a young age can weaken teeth by causing fluorosis. These two things are not related and there is no way to get fluorosis from using a fluoride mouth rinse.
Hi Dr Ellie ,
I have a tiny craze line after a dental trauma . Do you think it is possibile to heal this craze line Naturally remineralizing it ?
And remineralize means that it can be less visibile to the point of disappear ?
Thank you .
Craze lines can happen after some kind of trauma, but they actually happen from the stresses of eating and they can cause large chunks of enamel to break off teeth around old fillings. The only way I know to repair and defend your teeth from this kind of damage is to use my Complete Mouth Care System. Often people with craze lines are avoiding fluoride and sipping too much water. You need to use a small amount of sodium fluoride – as I recommend in my system- and AVOID sipping water all day long (especially in the afternoon when your saliva is usually packed with minerals that can help repair these tooth defects)
Hi Dr Ellie,
I have a very small hole on my tooth and I have also discovered some craze lines. Do you think it is possible to reverse this hole and repair my craze lines ? I have asked this to my dentist and he said me that teeth can remineralize only from a microscopic point of view and become stronger but they can’t repair itself in a way that is visible to eyes. You said in this blog that you have witnessed holes in teeth that have rebuilt themselves and also that craze line can disappear completely. Can you explain me if this is possible? What do i have to do? Thank you very much for your time. I hope In an answer.
Giovy
I answered a very similar question here:https://drellie.com/2017/01/10/have-healthier-teeth-gums-by-following-these-5-wellness-points/comment-page-1/#comment-1481