Remineralising teeth - any experiences?

[Jules-and-Boo]

I have a capvity, which is not very good news and I want to know if anyone has any experience of remineralising their teeth through diet etc - or if the only solution is the drill and fill.

[Robert Poste's Child]

I'm told you can use 1 teaspoon of food-grade coconut oil but haven't tried it myself so not sure if it actually works, but I imagine it would only help preserve already healthy teeth.

[Saffron]

Were you offered fluoride varnish? (Or are you trying to find fluoride alternatives?)

There is research to suggest that both fluoride varnish and xylitol are effective at treating early decay. It may depend on how advanced the decay is, as to whether you're successful.

I haven't seen any research on coconut oil and remineralisation. However, research does suggest that coconut oil can remove bacteria and plaque. If it also plays a role in buffering the pH of the mouth, then it hypothetically could act similar to saliva, which also helps to remineralise teeth in the presence of sufficient calcium ions.

Having tried coconut oil "pulling", it was both disgusting (and I love coconut!) and worsened my sensitive teeth. I have since heard other people say that it also made their sensitive teeth worse. I went back to Pronamel toothpaste.

Curious to hear how it goes for you. I'm strongly suspicious that dentists over-drill, though maybe not as much as they used to decades ago. Hope you find something that works. xx

[Sue]

If you've got a cavity, does that not mean there is decay, and that you'd at least have to have any decay drilled out before you could have the cavity filled (or try to not have it filled)? Or else the decay would spread?

Not that I know anything about it, I have a mouth full of fillings from the olden times :(

[Saffron]

Early stages of decay cause loss of calcium and softening of the decayed area. My understanding is that very early decay can be halted and the tooth remineralised if a full-on cavity has not yet formed.

It's probably worth seeking specialist advice from a dentist with experience in remineralising rather than drilling. If you try to remineralise decay that's past a certain point, you could end up with a worsening of the cavity.

[midivydale]

I read research by a swedish professor who insisted that probiotics could help with teeth health when i was worried about my son's enamel (he has reflux). Not sure if it would help with exisitng cavities though. Will see if I can find link to the paper he wrote.

[midivydale]

http://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12903-015-0096-5

[midivydale]

Sorry for all the posts. My son has weakened enamel due to reflux and as a result I use probiotics and fluoride tablets for him. He is 4 1/2 now and has needed no treatment despite his weak enamel. The dentist here is non committal as to what it is that I do that is working but keeps saying "whatever you do keep doing it".

Again, not sure about it if cavities are already present but worth a try?

[Jules-and-Boo]

thanks all.

The dentist got a bit excited and was pretty fast getting his drill out - it was a bit too over enthusiastic. I didn't stop to see if he would discuss something more holistic. He didn't offer any flouride varnish. Drilling was the only option.

midyvale - that would be great - thank you! I've done quite a bit of research now but I've not had any info on that before.

I'm starting with supplements (calcium, Vits A, D, K and cod liver fermented oil capsules) and going to be strict with my diet and see how it progresses. I'll go back in a couple of months and see if it's arrested or worse or better.

Actually, I don't know if I'd dare go back there. I'm booked for a drilling on Monday but want to give it a couple of months.. I might find a different dentist and see what they say.

Oil pulling, yes - have begun to do that, I've done it before and was ok with it, just not had it in an established routine before.

[Saffron]

Probably not much point going back to the same dentist for advice on avoiding drilling in this case. However, I think waiting a couple months will not improve the outcome.

In general terms, either the decay is suitable for remineralisation or not. Fluoride varnish is the treatment with the most weight of evidence, though dietary interventions may boost the effects of fluoride varnish. This treatment needs to be given under supervision. The longer you wait, the worse the decay may become, surely?

Good luck! :-) xx

[Jules-and-Boo]

just an update - cavities are gone!

Different dentist - xrays - all clear!!!!

So - it DOES work!

[Grok]

Drill 'n' fill.

[Saffron]

Jules-and-Boo Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> just an update - cavities are gone!

>

> Different dentist - xrays - all clear!!!!

>

> So - it DOES work!

Pleased to read that!

What method did you use in the end?

[Angelina]

.

[Sue]

Jules-and-Boo Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> just an update - cavities are gone!

>

> Different dentist - xrays - all clear!!!!

>

> So - it DOES work!

Did you completely trust your previous dentist?

They are paid for work done.

I knew someone who was told he needed twelve (yes, twelve!) fillings, and when he went elsewhere, in fact needed none :(

[Jules-and-Boo]

I saw both sets of x-rays so not doubting either of the dentists.

Used coconut oil, changed diet, added minerals and specific toothpaste from health food shop on LL.

Twelve fillings would be scary!

[Sue]

Jules-and-Boo Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I saw both sets of x-rays so not doubting either

> of the dentists.

>

> Used coconut oil, changed diet, added minerals and

> specific toothpaste from health food shop on LL.

>

> Twelve fillings would be scary!

That's really great you have sorted it, then!

[Saffron]

Jules-and-Boo Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I saw both sets of x-rays so not doubting either

> of the dentists.

>

> Used coconut oil, changed diet, added minerals and

> specific toothpaste from health food shop on LL.

>

Great result! Glad you found something that works. :) xx

[Jules-and-Boo]

thanks :-)

[Tanza]

I was given toothpaste with a very high fluoride content by my dentist who said it was "worth a try" to see if my tooth might remineralise because otherwise to get to the area where I was getting pain she'd have to take out a healthy tooth.

When I asked how likely it was to work she said, "not very likely, but you might as well try.". I did try and the pain went away.

A year or so later I was seen by another dentist. I related the story to him and he said it was unlikely to have remineralised - saying I couldn't have reached the spot with the toothpaste - and remineralisation is rare - he pretty much said it was a placebo effect I'd experienced.

[Nigello]

I e had good results with Sensodyne - the one that somehow repairs the damage and reduces the severity of the pain. It was on a tooth right at the back where it's hard to get to with the toothbrush.