NOTE: Below is a Conversation between Dr. Ellie and a Blog reader. Dr. Ellie’s responses are in Blue:
Dear Dr. Ellie,
While I have read your blog extensively, I have a few questions still and would appreciate any more tips you can offer.
My Story: I recently noticed an area on a front tooth where there is a very small brown/black spot. From a side view I can see the enamel is eroded away in a shallow divot around this area. I have no sensitivity and am not sure if the “cavity” is below the enamel or not. Obviously if possible I would like to avoid an artificial filling. With regard to arresting the decay, am I correct in my understanding that your system works to kill bacteria in the cavity by managing the pH of my mouth. It is not needed to directly clean inside the cavity (which seems to small).Since I started doing some research on this subject I realized I have other problem. I lost a permanent tooth when I was in 5th grade and now wear a plastic “flipper” with a false tooth attached fashioned for me (15 years ago) by my orthodontist. I wear it all day and night, since taking it out at night (even soaked in water) tended to cause the flipper to crack. In dental visits over the years it has been suggested that I take it out at night, but the reason put forth was that it would better for my gums, since my gums seem very healthy, I ignored this advice.
When you eat the Zellies mints and use the rinses of the system- your gums will be healthy under this flipper no problem. Remember it takes about six months of 6 grams of xylitol daily to get healthy mouth bacteria. It will be best to eat some Zellies at the end of meals, snacks etc.
Use the rinses twice a day every twelve hours and let the ACT rinse really “soak” into your teeth to remineralize them.
However, I have for a long time felt that I had trouble cleaning the backs of my front teeth, they always seem to feel “fuzzy” (even after a professional cleaning). I now suspect that since I wear the flipper all the time a combination of not always cleaning the flipper out (especially when out in public) and the flipper limiting my natural saliva’s contact the rear of my front teeth that the enamel has slowly worn away. When I placed a mirror inside my mouth this theory is confirmed by the yellow appearance of the backs of these front teeth, although I will need a professional evaluation and recent cleaning to be sure.
Xylitol makes plaque less sticky and you may find a big difference quickly. I think having a professional cleaning after about two months on the system is a good idea it improves your progress by cleaning away any stains and giving you a “fresh” new start.
I am now in the process of finding a dentist in the greater Boston area who I can consult with on the natural remineralization of this damage. As yet I haven’t found one. The nearest dentist on the minimally invasive web site is 2 hrs away. In the off chance you know of a dentist in Boston who can better counsel me on my case with a working knowledge/belief in natural remineralization of cavities, I would appreciate the tip!
I will look into this for you!
Also, what determines the shape of the tooth after remineralization is “complete”, would you judge that the enamel regrows to some constant thickness, or that normal wear will result in smooth outer surfaces, so pits will eventually fill completely?
In fact enamel fills in quite quickly if there is already some kind of skeleton (like a pit in a tooth). In my own mouth, I had erosion on some front teeth which had formed a deep groove at the age of 20 (I used to brush with abrasive paste and always began by scrubbing my left front tooth). This groove used to catch food in it. Today I could not tell which of my front teeth was damaged -unless I remembered since there is no longer a groove. You can be sure that nature will do a good job! Just be patient and give nature a little bit of time!
**Would you like to get Dr. Ellie’s dental health advice? Comment below, or email ellie@zellies.com **
Dear Dr Ellie:
I’ve been reading lots of comments and publications on this blog because I want to learn more about enamel “re-building”
However I have a big doubt.
In this post you state that you had a groove on your teeth, but that it now disapeared as it “filled itself” in, this really sounds awsome!
But I read a posterior comment (I think it was from 2010) in which someone asked you if a groove they had at the gumline could regenerate and you said that you belive that it wouldn’t heal too much. Is there a special reason? Did you discovered that repairs don’t actually happen like you describe in this post?.
I’m very curious because I suffered enamel damage after a cleaning (lots of pits and DEEP scratches on my front teeth enamel) and I would like to know if these can heal / rebuild with the use of xilitol and fluoride.
If repair does happen, how does ir happen? Does NEW enamel form or grow where it was missing? Its a very interesting subject.
Also, as I cant get the ACT rinse I’ve been using another fluoride rinse, my teeth feel smoother, but as I tested its PH I found that tje rinse is below 6.5!!! Which is not good…. is it possible that the fluride benefits still happen even if I use this acidi rinse?
I would really appreciate your answears 🙂
Best wishes to you
I empathize because faith is needed for remineralization! But maybe ask yourself why is the dental profession so slow to tell patients that teeth can repair themselves? Why is this not known by young dentists going out into private practice?
Perhaps your question should be “what do I have to loose?”
I recommend – (and have recommended for 30 years ++)….the Complete Mouth Care System…exactly as suggested – with exact products I recommend.
You can mix and match with what you “think” will work better – but I’d suggest you begin with the exact products.
My book, Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye will explain “why” ACT works in an acidic medium…..to create more acid-resistant and smoother enamel.
Here is a link to a recent blog post – that shows the result of 30 years on my system: LINK