Several months ago, I found a small discolored spot on a back tooth. It looked similar to a cavity that a past dentist had repaired, and I was quite bummed at the thought that I may soon need another filling. Since I’m discovering so many new possibilities through the world of healthy eating and nutrition, I felt compelled to take a risk in my health and use myself as a guinea pig. Instead of making an appointment right away, I did what some dentists would have frowned upon. I chose to not go in to have this dark spot evaluated. Instead, I wanted to take 4 months to use all that I had learned about food to see if I could remineralize this area of my tooth, and keep it from needing a filling.
Before I continue, please know that this article is not meant to give you a reason to avoid the dentist. When I was much younger, I shied away from the dentist for fear of needles. I put off an important appointment for a filling when I was 11 years old. Unfortunately, that neglect means that one of my teeth is full of patches and trauma. If I could go back in time, I would have been more proactive in my dental care, and done what needed to be done.
Over the past couple months, I’ve made large changes in how I eat, and I’ve been motivated mostly by this one tooth with the dark spot.
1. I’ve continued to take out foods that cause my body and gumline to be inflamed. This helps to keep the gum tissue healthy, since the gums are less likely to recede and expose sensitive areas of the teeth that can become prone to decay. Gluten and pasteurized cows dairy disappeared from my kitchen a couple years ago.
2. I now barely eat sugar. When I do, it’s often a few bites of something unbelievably good (like a plated dessert from The Bearded Lady Baking Company, a nearby, European-style nook of deliciousness). I only stick honey in my iced tea once a week, instead of every time I head to a café. Having high amounts of refined sugar in your diet causes the body to leach nutrients from the bones, teeth and tissues to process the sugar. The discolored tooth motivated me to get off refined sweeteners.
3. I now consume raw goats dairy, in the form of milk and cheese. It’s a helpful addition to strengthen teeth.
4. I focus on keeping my saliva alkaline by consuming vegetables regularly, and by using a dental remineralization powder. Alkaline saliva keeps the teeth from being eaten away by acids from junk food.
I went to a new dental office yesterday, to experience a more holistic treatment. When the hygienist said that I might not need a filling on the tooth I was concerned about, I was thrilled. The dentist confirmed it, and I felt even more empowered. Cavities can repair, and you can halt decay! I’m happy that I chose to focus on my internal environment, and to upgrade what I eat. As I continue, I hope to never need a filling again.
© 2011 Ava Waits
