remineralizing cavities

Silverlake

Sustainable Newbie
Joined
Jun 20, 2020
Messages
4
Reaction score
5
Points
8
Has anyone had success remineralizing cavities using natural methods , in particular cavities that extend into the dentin?

I have been swishing comfrey on and off for a few years as part of my dental health routine after reading about the ability of comfrey to heal tooth decay. Whether it has worked for me or not, I am not sure, as a on a recent dentist visit I was told I have several small cavities.

I already have so many fillings in my mouth at this point, and so much other dental work (some of which I suspect wasn't necessary) that I would really like to find an alternative treatment.

I've also reached a point where I find it difficult to trust dentists, because I have received conflicting information from different ones. Here's an example: one of the teeth where this dentist said I have a cavity is the same tooth I was told I had a cavity a few years back from another dentist. However, I eventually got a second opinion on that tooth, and that dentist said there is not cavity there, just a small pit where a cavity may be likely to form.

Is one right and one wrong? All of them seemed equally convinced they were right, which makes no sense to me. At any rate, years have now passed since that tooth was first flagged as having a cavity, and I haven't had any pain in that tooth or any problem with it. And I asked this dentist, well is the cavity there large or small? He said it was small. So if there is really a cavity there, apparently it's not growing?

If anybody has succeeded in treating cavities naturally, I would love to hear what worked for you.
 

Britesea

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 22, 2011
Messages
5,676
Reaction score
5,732
Points
373
Location
Klamath County, OR
One thing I learned is that most commercial toothpaste has glycerin added. This makes the normally gritty paste (from the abrasives used to clean your teeth) nice and smooth. Unfortunately, it also doesn't rinse off very well, and that coating can prevent your teeth from remineralizing.

Here is a homemade mouthwash that has remineralization properties:
HOMEMADE MOUTHWASH

Ingredients:


2 teaspoons calcium carbonate powder
10 drops of liquid stevia
10 drops concentrated trace minerals liquid
10 drops peppermint essential oil * (for flavoring- use what you like)
5 drops lemon essential oil * (helps to gently whiten teeth)
2 cups of filtered water
1/4 vodka alcohol (optional- helps to kill bacteria; but it kills both the bad and good ones, so use your own judgement)

Directions:

In a large glass mixing cup, stir together the calcium powder and stevia.
Add liquid minerals and essential oils. Swirl around until essential oils are absorbed into the calcium powder.
Add water and stir.
Pour mixture into a glass bottle.
Close the lid tightly and shake ingredients together for about 30-60 seconds.
Shake well before using.
Use as needed 1-2 times daily for 30 seconds.
Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks (but I typically just leave mine on the bathroom counter without any problems).

* I checked with Mountain Rose Herbs about using essential oils, since a lot of them have less than ideal ingredients in them, and they told me that in the amounts I'm using there is likely no danger, even when using it every day, but if you are nervous about it, look for the ones that are sold as food-safe.
 

Lazy Gardener

Super Self-Sufficient
Joined
May 14, 2017
Messages
4,626
Reaction score
5,876
Points
292
Location
Central Maine, Zone 4B
I find this whole discussion to be of interest. I can say that I really need to step up my self care, need to establish the habit of dental care right after supper, until waiting for bed time when I'm cross eyed. The more we are pro active regarding ALL health issues, the more independent we will be of a broken health care system, especially as we are heading into socialism.
 

Britesea

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 22, 2011
Messages
5,676
Reaction score
5,732
Points
373
Location
Klamath County, OR
I use the Concentrace Trace Mineral Drops https://www.traceminerals.com/product/concentrace-trace-mineral-drop
There are side effects associated with taking too much minerals, but since this is just swish-and-spit, I don't think it's as much of an issue. For the calcium carbonite powder, I found it at our Natural Grocers.

As far as Bentonite clay, I've been using Earthpaste toothpaste ( https://redmond.life/earthpaste/ ) for a couple of years and we love it. It has Redmond clay rather than Bentonite, but they are pretty similar.

I haven't had much trouble with cavities as an adult, but I did have chronic problems with my gums; according to my hygienist I appear to create more plaque than normal. When I switched to the mouthwash and Earthpaste, the problems appear to have subsided significantly.

We've also found that my husband's teeth, which break easily (he has several caps, and a couple of gaps where we couldn't afford replacements) seem to be getting stronger-- at least, he hasn't had any break lately and they aren't as sensitive to heat and cold as they used to be.
 

Silverlake

Sustainable Newbie
Joined
Jun 20, 2020
Messages
4
Reaction score
5
Points
8
Thanks Britesea. This looks great. It's interesting you should post this recipe because I was just reading about a product called "Uncle Harry's Remineralizing Liquid." Don't know if you have heard of it? I was considering getting it, but it's quite pricey, so I'm glad to learn I can make something myself which I imagine is probably similar and I'm sure for the cost I will get a much greater quantity of liquid I can use for a longer time.

I just need a couple of things to make it, the calcium carbonate and trace minerals liquid. Is any particular concentration of minerals recommended? I notice there are many trace mineral drop products.

Curious if you have ever had success remineralizing a cavity that had entered the dentin, or know anyone who has, or if you had any less severe decay you healed which you attribute to this mouthwash?

It seems dentists do admit that a cavity which has not penetrated the enamel yet can be remineralized. Although I must say in my personal experience none has ever told me I could do that or suggested I try, but only told me I needed fillings. So had I not done my own research I still wouldn't know it was possible. At this point I have had so many fillings as well as other work which I am now inclined to doubt was necessary, that I am willing to try any alternative method to avoid more drilling.

The consensus seems to be, though, that cavities that have entered the dentin can't be remineralized. I recently found some podcasts done by one dentist in Canada who says she has seen cavities of all sizes remineralized, both small and large. She is very vocal in saying it can be done and fillings are not always necessary- but she is a lone voice espousing this view point, from what I can find. Other than that I can only find the occasional anecdotal report of cured tooth decay on the net.

By the way do you have any opinion on bentonite clay in helping with remineralization? I have read contradictory statements about it, but it does appear to be packed full of minerals.
 

Britesea

Sustainability Master
Joined
Jul 22, 2011
Messages
5,676
Reaction score
5,732
Points
373
Location
Klamath County, OR
I find this whole discussion to be of interest. I can say that I really need to step up my self care, need to establish the habit of dental care right after supper, until waiting for bed time when I'm cross eyed. The more we are pro active regarding ALL health issues, the more independent we will be of a broken health care system, especially as we are heading into socialism.
Might want to look into these too https://www.amazon.com/HOKIN-Remove...s=teeth+cleaning+tools&qid=1619456095&sr=8-45

and this: https://store.hesperian.org/prod/Where_There_Is_No_Dentist.html
 
Top