Natural Dental Health

When the Americas were being explored in the early 1500s, many explorers noted that the “Indians” had “perfect rows of teeth, like the keys on a piano.”  This was unusual for the Europeans to see at that time, because they expected to lose most of their teeth in their 30s.

Centuries later, in the 1930s, a dentist named Westin Price set out to study teeth in various areas of the world.  He went to Europe, Africa, Asia, North, and South America to look at the teeth of indigenous people.  He was shocked by what he found.  He came to the conclusion that dental health was intricately intertwined with the health of the body, and especially the diet.  Where people ate whole, unprocessed foods they had good dentition, but where processed foods were eaten they had poor dentition – even among the same populations.

Today, we are told that we need “dental hygiene” to have good teeth.  We go to the dentist regularly to have them look for decay and inflammation.  We get braces put on our teeth to straighten them.  While it is important to practice keeping the teeth clean, it is more important to keep the body naturally healthy.  Multiple studies now show that poor dentition, gum disease, and poor oral health even contribute to heart disease.

A good dentist should be able to look in your mouth and tell you some of the nutrients you may be lacking.  For example, gingivitis is more tied to Co-Q10 and folic acid levels than to brushing and flossing.  The salivary pH will help to know if the diet is good for maintaining good teeth, as well.

Feed the good, starve the bad

Bacteria growing in your mouth are a very important part of dental health.  One common bacterium, Streptococcus mutans, uses sucrose (sugar) to make the plaque that builds up on the teeth, allowing acids to disintegrate the enamel.  If you feed those bacteria, you get more of them, more plaque, and more tooth decay.  This is why avoiding processed sugars is essential.

On the other hand, the good, natural and healthy bacteria in your mouth live on inulin, fructooligosaccharide, and other soluble fiber found in fruit and vegetables.

Normalize the pH

It is also important for the saliva to be in a neutral or slightly basic pH.  If the saliva is acid, calcium will be leached out of the teeth over time and contribute to tooth decay.  When the cause of scurvy was discovered in the 1700’s, the British navy required all ships to have lime juice on board and all sailors were given some every day.  While this practice prevented thousands of deaths from vitamin C deficiency, it had the side-effect of leaching the calcium out of the sailors’ teeth and promoting tooth decay.  Acid is not friendly to teeth.

Eating to improve your dental health

Based on the findings of Dr. Price, the Westin Price Foundation has promoted the idea of natural healthy eating in order to create and promote good dental health.  It begins in the womb, before a child is even conceived.  A mother who eats a healthy diet will allow her baby to develop normal bone structure which brings in its wake healthy, straight teeth.

Moreover, those who are already born, and even older people who have lost their teeth will benefit from these guidelines, both in a healthier mouth and a healthier body.  The list is long, but should be studied and implemented gradually over time.  The following are taken from the Westin Price Foundation.

Dietary Guidelines – Foods to Eat

1. Eat natural, whole, unprocessed foods.
2. Eat only grass-fed meats.
3. Eat wild fish (not farm-raised) and shellfish from unpolluted waters.
4. Eat full-fat milk products from pasture-fed cows, preferably raw.
5. Use traditional vegetable oils only–extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil.
6. Take cod liver oil, 1 tablespoon per day.
7. Eat organic fresh fruit.
8. Eat fresh vegetables–preferably organic–in salads and soups, or lightly steamed with butter.
9. Use whole grains, legumes and nuts that have been prepared by soaking, sprouting or sour leavening to neutralize phytic acid, enzyme inhibitors and other anti-nutrients.
10. Include fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages and condiments.
11. Prepare homemade meat stocks from the bones of chicken, beef, lamb and fish and use liberally in soups, stews, gravies and sauces.
12. Use filtered water for cooking and drinking.
13. Use unrefined salt and a variety of herbs and spices for food interest and appetite stimulation.
14. Make your own salad dressing using raw vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and a small amount of expeller-expressed flax oil.
15. Use natural sweeteners occasionally (not every day), such as raw honey, maple syrup, maple sugar, date sugar, dehydrated cane sugar juice (sold as Rapadura) and stevia powder.
16. Use only unpasteurized wine or beer in strict moderation with meals.
17. Cook only in stainless steel, cast iron, glass or good quality enamel.
18. Use only natural, food-based supplements.
19. Get plenty of sleep, exercise and natural light.
20. Think positive thoughts and practice forgiveness.

Dietary Dangers – Foods to Avoid

1. Do not eat commercially processed foods.
2. Avoid all refined sweeteners such as sugar, dextrose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup and fruit juices.
3. Avoid white flour, white flour products and white rice.
4. Avoid all hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats and oils.
5. Avoid all refined liquid vegetable oils made from soy, corn, safflower, canola or cottonseed.
6. Avoid foods fried in polyunsaturated oils or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
7. Avoid products containing protein powders as they usually contain carcinogens formed during processing.
8. Avoid processed, pasteurized milk; do not consume ultra pasteurized milk products, low-fat milk, skim milk, powdered milk or imitation milk products.
9. 

   • Pinterest
   Avoid factory-farmed eggs, meats and fish.
10. Avoid luncheon meats and sausage.
11. Avoid breakfast cereals, as they block mineral absorption and cause intestinal distress.
12. Avoid canned, sprayed, waxed and irradiated fruits and vegetables.
13. Avoid genetically modified foods (found in most soy, canola and corn products).
14. Avoid artificial food additives, especially MSG, hydrolyzed vegetable protein and aspartame, which are neurotoxins. Most soups, sauce and broth mixes and most commercial condiments contain MSG, even if not indicated on the label.
15. Individuals sensitive to caffeine and related substances should avoid coffee, tea and chocolate.
16. Avoid aluminum-containing foods such as commercial salt, baking powder and antacids. Do not use aluminum cookware or deodorants containing aluminum.
17. Do not drink fluoridated water.
18. Avoid synthetic vitamins and foods containing them.
19. Avoid distilled liquors.

By following these guidelines, the need for interventional dentistry and physicians would decrease dramatically, because people will maintain better teeth and better overall body health, naturally.

The benefits of this diet extend from infancy to old age.  The developing fetus would have normal bones and good teeth developed in the first place, and if you have dentures, the jaw bones will hold your dentures better.  It assures that you have adequate calcium, and you will have a more alkaline pH to maintain your teeth, and prevent other illnesses such as cancer and arthritis.

The mouth will grow healthy bacteria that do not promote tooth decay, and your digestion will improve.  It is a far-reaching program to improve your overall health, wellness, energy – AND dentition.

It’s not the dentist who is responsible for your dental health, it’s all in your power.  Knowledge is power.