Dear Dr. Ellie,
I have used your system for several months now and I love the way my teeth feel. As a biochemist, my friends and colleagues (chemists, engineers, etc) always demand more detailed information whenever I try to promote the clean white teeth system. I need to be more informed about the reasons behind each step of your process. Thank you for your time and my clean white teeth. (Questions Below) A
Biochemist
Dear Biochemist:
Thank you for your nice e-mail. I would be happy to chat with you sometime to explain in more detail if you would like to do this. I believe that many people have questions maybe we can set up a teleseminar with you asking this question?
More about this in the New Year……….
If you don’t mind, I will answer your questions as you asked them:-
Question from Biochemist:
After much browsing on your web page and forum I have a good understanding of why you use Listerine and Act, but am still left wondering the exact reason you use Closys for the first rinse.
Answer:
I do not pretend to fully understand the chemistry of Closys since it is a patented solution. From my clinical observations I have seen periodontal pocketing ( greater than 9 mm) resolved to completely heal. This is not supposed to be possible according to the normal dental teaching. People with periodontal pockets greater than 4 mm are unable to be cleaned by a tooth brush bristle and therefore need to be surgically treated (nowadays there are many options if that is the way you want to go). If you cannot afford or do not want to have periodontal treatment and if you have bleeding gums, bad breath or periodontal pockets I would recommend trying Closys. Swish it around your mouth (especially where there are
pockets) or use it in a waterpik device sprayed into the pockets. I have numerous stories of pocketing healing completely. In my program I see the Listerine preventing future periodontal problems and Closys healing any that have already occurred.
Question from Biochemist:
If the only purpose is to make your mouth pH neutral or basic, why not use Act in place of Closys? It is much cheaper. Do you have other reasons?
Answer:
I think ( although I do not know for sure) that Closys solution may contain an oil combined with ingredients that make it a very good “wetting” agent. I would guess that the liquid travels down the sides of the teeth and to the bottom of these pockets. It is possible that the oil in the liquid engulfs the bacteria and floats them physically to the surface. Again – this is my speculation after years of seeing its effects. Closys does have antibacterial properties but this alone does not seem to account for the extraordinary results you can achieve by using it BEFORE you brush your teeth. I also think that adding flavor interferes with its actions and using it after brushing has less effect.If my theory is correct, this would explain why. Closys also appears to remove debris and stain from the tongue and mouth. I find that Closys is a quick and effective way to remove the staining of the red wine or coffee that I often consume prior to brushing my teeth. If I were to use Listerine first it is acidic and would soften my teeth before brushing. If I used ACT first I would not be cleaning my teeth in the same way.
Question from Biochemist:
My brother, his wife, and their 2 year old live in Germany and are interested in the system. They only have Listerine. Do you know what German products can be substituted for the Closys, Crest, and Act (there is no Oral B there)?
Answer:
This system is for adult teeth not for children this young (with “baby teeth”). Zellies gum would be good for the 2 year old if he is able to chew, otherwise granular xylitol can be used in his diet. ACT is available in several European countries Switzerland, Holland and
Greece. It may be available in the UK soon. The product Fluoridguard is a close alternative -0.05 % sodium fluoride. Closys is known as Retardex in the UK. It is expensive but appears to be the same product. I believe it is an investment in oral health. Work out how much it costs you each day I think you will consider it is worth the money! I am not sure about Crest in the UK but I will look into this and try to get back to you. The main reason for the Crest choice is minimal chemistry tried and tested, sufficiently abrasive but not too much. I do not know an alternative to Crest yet- sorry!
I am delighted to help and PLEASE stay in touch!
Ellie Phillips, DDS
***Do you have questions for Dr. Ellie? Comment here or email webmgr@zellies.com for a personal response.
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You stated that "From my clinical observations I have seen periodontal pocketing ( greater than 9 mm) resolved to completely heal. This is not supposed to be possible according to the normal dental teaching."This is of supreme (and critical) interest to me. I have some questions in two main areas:1. How many times per day should one do the system? Just three, or more? If more, should the Crest be used more than 3 x day (after meals), or just do the rinses for "extra" treatments (e.g., after coffee, snack, before bed, etc.)?2. About how long would it take for those pockets to heal, on an average? What kind of average progress can one expect after one month? After two months? (So I can tell whether it's working.)I would appreciate a fairly fast reply, if it's not imposing on you too much. I do have the four products already, but not the Xylitol.Thank you! Finding out about your system may just save my teeth and gums!Tony
I do not recommend anyone brush their teeth more than 3 times a day – because I worry that mechanical cleaning beyond this, can upset the natural development of a particular "film" that is necessary for health.This film needs to be given sufficient time to develop and cover teeth – since it helps keep gums and teeth healthy. This film is called Pellicle – and it forms from minerals and other components that are in saliva ( which is why I suggest minerals and vitamin supplements later in this message).My system helps you clean and strengthens teeth and it appears to help promote the rapid growth of this pellicle.You can almost feel it on your teeth after a couple of days using the system. Then you know you are on your way!Xylitol is an essential element in the development of this pellicle, in my opinion.If you use the rinses alone – you may not get the full effects.If you use xylitol alone, you may not get the cleaning, strengthening and healing that the mouth rinses offer.So – two to three times a day is the answer to your first question. Try and experiment and see how your teeth feel. They should feel clean, healthy and comfortable – all the time.I suggest using xylitol in a couple of forms: as granular xylitol dissolved in water – to sip during the morning – plus Zellies mints or gum ( depending on which you like best) after meals or snacks during the rest of the day.Ensure that the use of my system is the very last thing you do before going to sleep.In addition it would be good to do a little analysis of why you think you have periodontal pocketing.Plaque grows in an acidic mouth – or a dry mouth.Do you have acid reflux, allergies, or medications that dry your mouth?Acidic drinks in particular ( coffee, soda, sports drinks etc) can promote plaque and gum diseases.Use xylitol after any acidic experience – ( even if it just a lemon wedge in water) -be sure to eat a Zellie mint after the water to protect your teeth from this acidity!Finally, make sure you are eating a healthy, vegetable-rich diet – and try to include fish oils.You may want to use nutritional supplements for a few months – at least while you are working to heal your gums.(Make nutrition part of your all-around treatment plan!)Vitamin C and D are important for gum health – along with minerals like Calcium.Finally if you want to do one more thing – and to ensure all the healing possible – you may want to consider probiotics.You would get Probiotics as pills from a health food store. For a few months – it may be worth trying everything possible to solve your problem.I believe in four to six months your dentist will notice a very positive change.Encouraged by this – I hope your dentist will encourage you to continue on this program with regular monitoring of your progress. I would hope that within another year – ( assuming we have reduced risk factors, modified diet and kept up with the system) that most of your issues will have resolved.Best wishes,Please let me know the outcome if you have the time,You probably will enjoy my book Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye – it explains more of this.Ellie