Dear Dr. Ellie:
I have noticed staining of teeth while using Green ACT. It has not improved. I understand that ACT contains staining ingredients, such as Cetylpyridinium chloride. Is there anything that can be done? Most of the stains are in between the teeth. Do you have any weight with ACT to come up with a clear colored version or is there a similar product that you have been working with that might be as effective or more so than ACT? All of my research, as another note, has shown in study, that MI Paste Plus is the most effective for mineralization, study, after study, after study. It’s not to say your system doesn’t work, but, what of the staining (and I’m still sensitive to Listerine which is leading me to think, despite my dentist not seeing anything, that something is wrong with my teeth. Are you yet available for consults in person or via macro photos, xrays, etc;. All of mine are done from a dental office and crystal clear.
JM
Hi JM,
Thanks for your confidence in me! Sorry but I cannot do more that chat with you via the internet!
I can only advise you to look and trust Evidence Based Research. This is the basis of the biochemistry that supports the products I recommend (I have the Surgeon General’s endorsement for my book). I would be interested in looking at the links to the research that convince you about MI paste.
You see, the main ingredient in MI paste is dry milk powder it adds calcium and phosphates in an alkaline medium. Xylitol has been shown to remineralize deeper layers and the remineralization is speeded when used (alternating) with dilute fluoride rinsing.
I cannot accept that the staining of teeth that you talk about is from the use of ACT. The scaremongers who dislike the use of fluoride have many misconceptions about fluoride. I have an entire chapter in Kiss Your dentist Goodbye that is devoted to a discussion about fluoride and the fact that stannous fluoride stains.
Sodium fluoride will remineralize teeth and form a smoother, stronger and more acid-resistant crystal on the surface of your tooth. Dilute fluoride rinsing in conjunction with the use of adequate amounts of xylitol (like Zellies) after meals will cause faster remineralization.
You do not mention xylitol are you eating Zellies after every meal? Any chance that there is reinfection of your teeth through contact with others that may harbor plaque bacteria? This would be a reason that the plaque keeps dying off and you are seeing the stains from dead plaque.
If you can break this “infection” or “reinfection” cycle, the dead plaque staining will stop. You need to ensure that those around you are eating enough xylitol to kill the plaque bacteria in their own mouths, don’t share food with strangers, and make sure you disinfect your toothbrush regularly!
Back to MI paste.
The reason I have a hard time with this product is that they have always known that milk is cariostatic and provides minerals for remineralization. No word was ever spoken about remineralization in the US until the ADA had a patent on the intellectual property on the “remineralizing” agent associated with MI paste. I think this is wrong, wrong that dentists make money on milk powder!
Best Wishes,
Hope this is of some help to you,
Ellie
26 Corporate Woods
Rochester, NY 14623
Categories: Uncategorized
I am curious to your opinions on the sorbitol that is listed as an ingredient in ACT, & which you tell us negates the efficacy of Xylitol here on your blog. Is it OK that the sorbitol is there in a rinse which is a primary ingredient to your system, when you tell us to avoid it? I sent you an email about it but have not received a reply, so I hope this reaches you here.
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This is a great question and I understand your concern. First let me say that I truly wish ACT were colorless and had only xylitol for taste -not sorbitol!To achieve that we will either have to win the lottery or keep writing to the manufacturer – which I do from time to time! My system is based on two components: During the daytime, xylitol to loosen/diminish plaque and mineralize deeper layers of teeth + plus Morning and Night – a mouth rinse routine to heal gum problems and specifically strengthen the outer part of the tooth surface (the enamel) to make it into a harder, stronger "cover" over your teeth (to protect them).When you combine the two elements you end up with cleaner, stronger, shinier teeth! The problem with sorbitol is that it can be used as "fuel" by plaque. This means that when it is mixed with xylitol( in gum or mints) plaque can actually grow ( not diminish) and plaque may not loosen. Worst of all, studies show that sorbitol prevents xylitol from mineralizing teeth. Sorbitol appears to reverses the effects of xylitol – which is why it is not good to use them together at the same time. The mouth rinses do different things for your teeth. The Closys helps clean teeth safely, the Listerine washes the tooth surface and prepares the tooth for a "hardening treatment" that you get with the ACT.The dilute fluoride in ACT works differently from xylitol and the strengthening you get is on the outside of the tooth. The fluoride in ACT becomes a "catalyst" to attract minerals from saliva to the tooth surface. These minerals form new crystals on the tooth surface – which makes the outer shell of the tooth shiny and smooth. More important these new crystals are very acid resistant. The fact that sorbitol is in the rinse does not have any impact on this event on the tooth surface. I hope this explains why I am able to overlook sorbitol in ACT – although I do wish it were not there!Best Wishes, Ellie http://www.zellies.com26 Corporate WoodsRochester, NY 14623(585) 272-1270