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Sink Your Teeth into Natural Oral Care
1-29-12

What’s the best way to achieve a healthy smile? Regular use of toothpaste, floss and mouthwash, of course! But, there’s a lot to learn about how natural ingredients support healthy gums and teeth, as well as some alternative ways to achieve long-term oral health.

Toothpaste Ingredients
Let’s take a closer look inside your toothpaste.

Xylitol is a natural sweetener found in many fruits and vegetables, and though it may be new to some, it has been used for over a century (1). Its unique chemical makeup differs from artificial sweeteners like sorbitol, which have been known to negatively affect the body over long periods of use (1). When xylitol mixes with saliva, the sweetener raises pH levels and activates calcium and phosphate salts, which harden the tooth enamel. Reversing damage that has already been inflicted on the teeth is a slow process, but some scientists feel it may be possible with xylitol (2). This natural ingredient also discourages bacterial adhesion to the teeth and gums. Because xylitol is found in so many different forms such as gum, candy, toothpaste and mouthwash, dental care providers normally recommend anywhere from four to 12 grams a day (but no more than 15 grams) to keep bacteria away and preserve a clean mouth (2). Experts believe higher intakes of xylitol diminish its dental benefits.

While tea has a reputation for staining teeth, green tea is believed to support healthy gums. In a green tea study conducted with 940 Japanese men in 2009, all participants experienced an overall decrease in periodontal pathogens in their mouths, which attack gums and teeth (3). Since green tea is known for its antioxidant capacities, it is thought that the main antioxidant, catechin, helps prevent gum inflammation that causes pain or bleeding.

Baking soda has made a comeback as an ingredient in some major-brand toothpastes, but the substance itself could also be used to clean your teeth as an alternative method. Its abrasive qualities are said to aid in polishing teeth. While studies have found that it is mostly inexpensive and neutralizes bad breath agents such as volatile sulfur compounds, it won’t necessarily prevent cavities and, in some cases, it might cause sensitive teeth (4).

Space doesn’t permit for a discussion of all natural agents that support oral care, but readers should know natural toothpastes also may contain silica (to polish and clean), calcium (for strengthening), aloe (for soothing), neem (an antiseptic) and antioxidants like CoQ10, pomegranate and cranberry.

Fluoridated vs. Non-fluoridated: The Facts
While some people would never dream of using a non-fluoridated toothpaste, others wouldn’t touch fluoride with a 10-foot pole.

One of the biggest issues surrounding fluoride is its overuse in young children. Since infants are developing at such a fast pace, many makers of formula, toothpastes and supplements include fluoride to help keep teeth strong. Ironically, this overexposure could lead to dental fluorosis, a condition in which newly formed teeth possess white or dark spots over the enamel (5). Fluoride can also be toxic when ingested in large quantities.

Conversely, using fluoridated toothpaste has shown strong evidence of preventing tooth decay and is recommended for everyday use by the American Dental Association (6). Overall, fluoride in its many forms has been found to prevent tooth decay by 20-40% and has been one of the cheapest ways to preserve oral health.

Both fluoridating and non-fluoridating products are available in natural products stores so you can decide which is better for your needs.
(See information on fluoride below.)

Supplemental Help
Vitamin C is instrumental in forming collagen and dentin, and it is also one of the best ways of preventing gingivitis (7). Aside from the lack of brushing, gums crack and bleed when the body starts to become deficient in this vitamin. While supplements are available, staples like orange juice and pineapples and even exotic fruits like guava can boost vitamin C levels—one half-cup of raw guava fruit alone contains 188 mg (7).

Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant agent that, like green tea, is known for its anti-inflammatory capabilities. Also known as CoQ10, it helps prevent and sometimes repair receding gum lines by eliminating and neutralizing free radicals in the body as well as the mouth (8). And, a form of CoQ10 called ubiquinol taken in a 150 mg/day dose was found to decrease plaque and gum bleeding after two months (9). In a separate study, dry mouth improved, too. WF

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Fluoride
People get confused about fluoride and hear conflicting stories. The information below will help to make things clearer. As a side note, when using toothpaste use the ones which contain calcium fluoride, naturally found in foods, and not sodium fluoride a toxic by-product that is deadly to the body as brought out below. Or, you can use a toothpaste that has no fluoride.

Sodium Fluoride (See www.fluoridealert.org)
All of the research about fluoride for decay-prevention was actually from calcium fluoride, not sodium fluoride. Depending on the mineral content of the water source calcium fluoride can form when there is an adequate amount of calcium present, and may be of some benefit. It is interesting to note that research shows that fluoride, whether calcium or sodium, is one of the major aging factors.

Sodium Fluoride - Toxic Waste
The form of fluoride put into the drinking water and used by dentists is sodium fluoride, a toxic poison from the aluminum and fertilizer industries and was used primarily as a rat poison before city municipalities were duped into thinking it was necessary to add to water supplies to fight tooth decay. By having city municipalities buy their leftover sodium fluoride to put into their water supplies the aluminum and fertilizer industries not only do not have to pay to legally dispose of this toxic waste but they also make money, especially since the price to purchase it went up over 1,000%.

Sodium Fluoride Banned and Not Used In Other Countries
Researchers in Europe who studied the effects of sodium fluoride on humans found that it was not safe for consumption resulting in its ban and illegal use in Denmark, Holland, Sweden, Belgium and Germany. However, countries such as France and Norway never used sodium fluoride because they never found a sound scientific reason to use it.

The Negative Effects of Sodium Fluoride
In his book titled, “Fluoride, The Aging Factor” written by Dr. John Yiamouyianni there is hard scientific information he provides about the damaging effects of sodium fluoride.

Brown Decaying Teeth

Disrupts and blocks cellular enzyme activity (required for metabolic processes)

DNA Damage

Collagen Destruction

Genetic Damage

Immune System Damage

Accelerated, or premature aging

Serious disorders - such as lupus, sclera derma, rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis.

Cancer and other degenerative conditions

Weakened bones

Osteoporosis

Arthritic pain

Skeletal fluorosis - A condition where there is too much fluoride in the bone.

Skeletal fluorosis - 1st Stage - Symptoms can include pain in the bones and joints, burning, pricking, and tingling in the limbs, muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, reduced appetite and disorders of the digestive system. During this stage x-rays can detect that the bone has a more prominent and blurred structure and that there are changes in the pelvis and spinal column.

Skeletal fluorosis - 2nd Stage - If left unchanged the condition can worsen to where there is constant pain in the bones and some of the ligaments start to calcify. The long bones, such as in the legs, may become osteoporotic, or lose bone tissue, and osteosclerosis ( this is when the bones become more dense and develop an abnormal crystalline structure that can more easily fracture and break) may be present. Bone spurs may begin to appear around the arm and leg bones especially around the knee, elbow, and on the surface of the tibia and ulna.

In 3rd Stage of Skeletal fluorosis, or extreme skeletal fluorosis, also referred to as crippling skeletal fluorosis, the arms and legs become weak and movement is difficult, while the vertebrae become fused together, crippling the individual.

Disrupts healthy thyroid function
The thyroid gland is involved with many functions of the body such as temperature control, basal metabolic rate (oxygen consumption), carbohydrate/fat/protein metabolism, nervous system function, cardiovascular system (normal functioning of the heart), muscular system, skeletal system (promotes normal growth and maturation of the skeleton for developing children and in adults assists in the demineralization of the skeleton), gastrointestinal system (promotes healthy bowel tone, GI motility or movement, and digestive enzymes), reproductive system (promotes normal female reproductive ability and lactation), and promotes normal hydration and secretory activity of the skin.

NOTE: One can see that if the thyroid is disrupted it can be difficult to maintain a healthy body weight and can explain one reason why so many people are gaining abnormal weight, especially fat, and having a difficult time in losing it. Many also feel that the sodium fluoride is contributing to the abnormal height of some people and to broad bottoms.

Sodium Fluoride is A Poison
In his book “Fluoride, The Aging Factor” Dr. John Yiamouyiannis warns "Fluoride is a poison!"
“The 1984 issue of Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products lists fluoride as more poisonous than lead and just slightly less poisonous than arsenic. It has been used as a pesticide for mice, rats and other small pests. A 10-pound infant could be killed by 1/100 of an ounce and a 100-pound adult could be killed by 1/10 of an ounce of fluoride. The Akron Regional Poison Center indicates that a 7-ounce tube of toothpaste contains 199 mg. of fluoride, more than enough to kill a 25-pound child."

Dr. John Yiamouyiannis also says in his book, "Fluoride interacts with the bonds which maintain the normal shape of proteins. With distorted protein, the immune system attacks it's own protein, the body's own tissue."

The visual and physical effects from prolonged exposure to fluoride include nausea, bloody vomit, faintness, stomach cramps, tremors, constipation, aching bones, stiffness, skin rash, weight loss and brown or black discoloration of the teeth.

Natural Fluorine in Food
It is healthier, more efficient, and safer to get our fluorine from foods rather than taking inorganic and chemically produced fluorides. Obtaining organic fluorine from foods along with organic calcium form foods and in combination with high quality calcium and other minerals such as magnesium and zinc in supplements will assist the body in building a strong healthy surface on the teeth and bones. Also, the natural fluorine protects the body from germs and viruses.

Natural Sources of Fluorine
Good sources of natural fluorine include foods such as avocado, garlic, goat milk, goat cheese, and goat butter, greens, parsley, brown rice, spinach, tomatoes, dates, cauliflower, cabbage, organic egg yolks, cod liver oil, brussels sprouts, and black eye peas. It is best to eat organically grown foods as much as possible.

Elimination of Sodium Fluoride for Good Health
Obviously if we want to have healthy bones and joints, as well as good overall health, we have to eliminate sodium fluoride from our drinking water. And while natural fluorine in foods is easily removed as it evaporates during cooking, water containing sodium fluoride does not. That being the case we should not cook with water containing sodium fluoride in addition to not drinking it. If you plan on using a filter for your water, or are presently using one, make sure from the manufacturer that it does remove sodium fluoride.

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