Dental Fillings

If you are told you have a cavity, get a second opinion BEFORE getting it filled.  What some dentists define as a cavity may not fit the definition for another dentist.  That should tell you something.  Some dentists are filling teeth that don’t need it.  That is bad for your pocketbook and can be bad for your health as well.

If you do actually have a cavity that needs to be filled, ask your dentist if it is necessary in that visit or if it can wait a few months.  If it is not causing you pain, try this first…Tooth pastes with glycerin in them coat the tooth and can prevent re-enamilization (the tooth can heal itself to some degree).  It takes 26 rinsings to get the glycerin coating off before the tooth can place minerals on its surface again.  Switch to a powered tooth cleaner that has no glycerin.  There are a few different brands out there – Solay, IPSAB, Eco-dent all make quality products.  Neem and Peelu are natural fibers that can be used to clean teeth.  The following is a recipe that I have come across if you wanted to try your own:

• 4 Tablespoons Bentonite Clay

• 3 Tablespoons Calcium Magnesium Powder

• 1 Tablespoon Baking Soda

1 Tablespoon Celtic Sea Salt (Himalayan or other natural salt can be substituted)

• 2 Tablespoons Powdered Mint Leaf (optional, or can use essential oil)- Powder in blender, food processor or coffee grinder.

• 1 tablespoon Cinnamon Powder

• 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of Cloves Powder

• 1 Tablespoon (or more to taste) Xylitol Powder

• Essential oils for taste- completely optional but Peppermint, Spearmint and Cinnamon are good.

 Brush your teeth with a powdered tooth cleaner for a few weeks and get your tooth rechecked.  Many people have reported good results with this method. They also notice cleaner, whiter teeth too.

If treating your teeth in this way does not heal your tooth and you need a cavity filled, avoid amalgam (silver) fillings.  These contain mercury.  Mercury is one of the most toxic substances on the planet.  I always found it interesting that the filling material is a biohazard coming out of the package (meaning it takes special equipment to handle it and you are not supposed to breathe it or ingest it), yet the moment it goes into your mouth it becomes inert and safe.  But, you need those same precautions if it is removed from your mouth.  Stay away from amalgam for new fillings.  As it ages, amalgam expands, which can crack the tooth it is in and necessitate its removal.  Composite and porcelain are both good choices.  If you already have amalgam in your mouth, consider having it removed by a qualified dentist and having it replaced with another material.   It can significantly improve your health, not only in the short term (by clearing up things like brain fog), but in the long run as well (by removing a potential cause of cancer and other chronic diseases).  If you have questions about your teeth and their health, please ask me at your next visit.  I continue to study dentistry and learn more about how to care for teeth and your body as my knowledge grows.