There are also some articles on the history of Fluoride. One has to do with it being used during the Holocaust, to make people complacent and obey. Another is about some tooth discoloration in Colorado and other places, caused by excess Fluoride in the water from the chemical residue from aluminum factories. Still another shows a relationship between the atomic bomb and Fluoride. 

The bottom line is that Fluoride is a chemical and a drug; our opinion is that it should be subject to drug testing and approval, just as other drugs are, and should require a prescription. Even if it's OTC, one should have the choice whether to take it or not (cost is just $13/year for a family). It shouldn't be forced on those who don't want it.

We all need to drink more water, as well as, we use water for coffee, tea, and other beverages; it's used to make beer, cook many of our meals, and more, so if it's fluoridated, we are likely to be overdosed.

So how do we keep your teeth and gums healthy when all our lives we've been told Fluoride is good for us? We have some ideas!

* Select a toothpaste, not only without Fluoride, but without Triclosan and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). Triclosan is a non-biodegradable toxin in many products at supposedly safe level, but they add up to a toxic level for us and our environment. SLS is a foaming agent, which we totally do NOT need in our toothpaste. David Suzuki, http://www.davidsuzuki.org/david/ has interesting information about Triclosan and SLS, regarding our health, as well as that
our environment:
On Triclosan: http://davidsuzuki.org/blogs/docs-talk/2012/06/sinking-your-teeth-into-the-topic-of-toxins/
On SLS: http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics---sodium-laureth-sulfate/

* Brush with a soft toothbrush or electric toothbrush (don't press hard) twice a day, for 2 minutes. Brush each quadrant 30 seconds (many electric toothbrushes have timers and buzz every 30 seconds). Don't forget the back of your teeth.

* Wait at least 30 minutes after eating. There is some evidence that shows that right after eating, the teeth are slightly acidic, making the enamel temporarily softer.

* Try an ionic toothbrush next time you replace yours - recent studies show that the ions reverse the polarity of the tooth surface from negative to positive, which attracts more bacteria to the toothbrush head.

* Replace your brush or brush head at least every 3 months.

* Floss your teeth.
* Brush or scrape your tongue.
Flossing and tongue brushing help get bacteria out of your mouth.

Some ingredients that may help whiten the teeth, as well as help kill bacteria are:
* Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)
* Peroxide
Baking soda can help fight tooth decay and peroxide can help fight off certain bacteria. On the downside, you need to mix peroxide with water to weaken it. If you use it at full strength, you might burn your gums.
* Green Tea
There are a few studies regarding green tea. One study suggests that rinsing with green tea extract may help keep your teeth from getting eroded. Another shows it might stop starchy foods, such as crackers or cake, from causing tooth decay. And a third shows that people who regularly drink green tea have healthier gums than those who don't. Note that green tea that you drink is different from green tea extract.
* Eucalyptol, menthol, and tea tree oil
Oils such as eucalyptol, menthol, and tea tree, can help kill bacteria in your mouth. This keeps your gums from getting inflamed. Many natural toothpastes have these ingredients. Try a Tea Tree Oil floss, as well. These oils are NOT meant to be used alone at full strength; they need to be in another substance or carrier oil.
* Neem Oil
Acting as an antibacterial, neem oil can be used to keep the bad oral bacteria from taking over and proliferating. Clinical studies have shown neem to be effective in lowering levels of plaque and tartar, while reducing inflammation, bleeding gums and dental infections. You can use drops or a toothpaste with Neem Oil in it.
* Camu Camu
Camu Camu contains 250mg of Vitamin C per teaspoon, containing more Vitamin C than any other known botanical source. Vitamin C is needed for healthy gums, reducing the incidence of bleeding gums, gingivitis, and even periodontitis. The good news is that the effects of Camu Camu go far beyond a healthy gum line, helping to improve immunity and the texture of the skin, while repairing and maintaining cartilage, bones, and teeth.
* Vitamin D
It seems like every week, more and more evidence is found for the things Vitamin D helps in the body. While there's no proof yet that Vitamin D helps prevent tooth decay, it may be good for your mouth by helping your body kill bacteria. Studies show you may be more likely to get gum disease if you don't have enough of it. In fact, many vitamins and minerals are important to oral health. If you have a healthy diet, you're likely getting most of what you need.
* Probiotics
Yes, the same ones we almost always recommend for gut health, will also help mouth health. The more good bacteria you have, the more of a defense you have against the bad bacteria, reducing the incidence of inflammation and infection.
* Oil pulling
Oil pulling is the act of swishing oil (usually Sesame, Sunflower or Coconut) in the mouth for up to 20 minutes to improve oral health. Some believe this helps remineralize damaged enamel. This link has a good explanation of this ancient Ayurvedic practice. https://wellnessmama.com/7866/oil-pulling/

*Diet No-No's and limitations
* Sugar is the worst culprit for tooth decay. It leaves acid on the teeth, which wears away the enamel. It also causes the pH of the body to be too acidic. The body balances this by pulling calcium and phosphate out of the bones and teeth.
* Limit desserts, avoid sodas, limit juice to 1 glass per day, and avoid sugary teas and coffees.
* Sugar is a hidden ingredient even in foods you don't think of as sweet. It's in salad dressings, ketchup, milk, and many recipes for sauces, beans, and coleslaw. It replaces fat in fat-free foods.
* Other foods, such as starches, grains, fruit, nuts and seeds can also harm teeth. The ingredient causing the problem is phytic acid. Nuts, seeds, and beans can be soaked before cooking and/or consuming to reduce the phytic acid. However, if you have teeth problems, it's best to avoid these foods. Even when foods have healthy benefits for our bodies, moderation is the key.
*

Diet Suggestions

* Proteins

* Healthy fats - (there's a whole blog on this topic) are healthy for the teeth and gums, as well, with the
exclusion of nuts and seeds, as mentioned above. Include one serving at every meal.

* Bone broth - high in a LOT of minerals

* As with all health concerns, a healthy diet high in fresh vegetables, with moderate amounts of fresh fruit, whole grains, organic, grass-fed, free-range beef and chicken, fresh fish, and monounsaturated fats, gives our bodies what they need to heal and maintain good health. The above suggestions will actually help de-tox your mouth

Bad Breath or Halitosis - With these suggestions, you shouldn't need a mouthwash. Breath freshening after meals at work, for example, can be accomplished with a rinse, (there are many recipes for homemade ones that are easy to make and help you avoid harmful chemicals) or mints or gum sweetened only with xylitol. Mouthwashes typically have ingredients you wouldn't want in your system. Even if you don't swallow (and it's difficult not to swallow a little bit), the ingredients enter the bloodstream through your mouth tissue. If you have bad breath, it could be a symptom of something else.

If you feel you want some natural help with teeth and gum health or have bad breath, please feel free to come in and speak to Dr. Peter Ford, Dr. Taylor White, or our nurse Sharon Rose-Couturier, please contact Cheryl at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 506-384-5236. For more information or references regarding this blog, please contact Ellen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

And remember - Probably one of the most important things you can do if you're a parent or grandparent of young children is to set a good example and teach them proper oral hygiene.

The following article is a great read
http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/heal-cavities-gum-disease-naturally-with-organic-oral-care-toothpaste-recipes-included

Information from David Suzuki's website:

On Triclosan: http://davidsuzuki.org/blogs/docs-talk/2012/06/sinking-your-teeth-into-the-topic-of-toxins/
Interview with Dan Kingsbury, a retired dentist in Roberts Creek, B.C.
On reading the small print about Colgate's "advanced protection", I found, "12 hour Antibacterial Protection — Triclosan 0.3%." I then looked up triclosan and found that it is a skin-permeable antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral that is suspected to interfere with hormone function (endocrine disruptor) and can irritate skin and eyes. Triclosan is also toxic to the aquatic environment where it remains for a long time, often forming chlorophenols, polychlorinated furans and
dioxins that bioaccumulate and become both carcinogenic and toxic.
On SLS: http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics---sodium-laureth-sulfate/
Depending on manufacturing processes, sodium laureth sulfate may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. i. The International Agency for Research on Cancer ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and 1,4 -dioxane as a possible human carcinogen. Ethylene oxide can also harm the nervous system ii. and the California Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as a possible developmental toxicant based on evidence that it may interfere with human development. iii. 1,4-dioxane is also persistent. In other words, it doesn't easily degrade and can remain in the environment long after it is rinsed down the shower drain. 1,4-dioxane can be removed from cosmetics during the manufacturing process by vacuum stripping, but there is no easy way for consumers to know whether products containing sodium laureth sulfate have undergone this process.

 Other References:

https://wellnessmama.com/5571/boost-oral-health/
http://davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/chemicals-in-your-cosmetics---sodium-laureth-sulfate/
http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Your-Teeth
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/teeth-and-gum-care#1
https://wellnessmama.com/3650/remineralize-teeth/
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/oral-health/six-foods-to-improve-your-dental-health/
http://thechalkboardmag.com/detox-your-mouth-9-holistic-oral-health-treatments
https://wellnessmama.com/7866/oil-pulling/