[Michael8483]

Hello,

I'm a 29 year old male. In January of this year I started seeing a new dentist. After a check up he found that I needed 6 cavities. It surprised me because I take good care of my teeth - brush 3 times a day, use Crest & ACT (Crest daily, ACT 3 times a week), floss with Glide every night.

Before this visit in January my teeth never bothered me. After having the 6 fillings put in I started having all sorts of toothaces and annoyances, but in other teeth than the ones that had filings. Here we are 8 months later and I have had 2 Root canals (a first for me) and 4 more fillings since then. Total now is 10 fillings and 2 root canals in 8 months.

My diet is very bland and consistent - I eat yogurt w/ granola for breakfast (I am switching this to low sugar cereal and sugar free milk), have some form of a ham/turkey on wheat for lunch and grilled chicken for dinner. I only drink water, nothing else. It is tap water however with a Brita filter.

I've started seeing a different dentist to do this second root canal. Both dentists are telling me it's just genetics. The first dentist even told me not having my first root canal until 29 is really good. The second root canal is half way done and I'm having pains in other teeth still that I fear will be even more root canals. It's worth noting that the 2 root canals are in my bottom 1st molars. The pains I am having now are in my top 1st molars.

I've been researching this a lot and I have a couple of ideas to what could be causing this:

1) Vitamin D - the last time I had my Vitamin D levels checked in 2011 they were low and I started taking Vitamin D3 daiily (1000 IU). I am going to get my levels checked again in the next few weeks by my primary doctor.

2) Grinding teeth at night - I do wake up with headaches fairly often but I think this is something a dentist should notice during a checkup, right?

3) Seroquel - I have been taking 25mg of Seroquel a night since July 2008 for sleeping. I read it can cause dry mouth although I am taking the lowest dosage and I do not notice any signs of dry mouth. I am going to purchase a pH test strip kit to start testing my saliva in the morning.

Is there any one who has had a similar problem or can think of what else could be causing my teeth to be eroding so fast?

Thank you very much for any help!

[x3dgame123]

Originally Posted by Michael8483

Hello,

I'm a 29 year old male. In January of this year I started seeing a new dentist. After a check up he found that I needed 6 cavities. It surprised me because I take good care of my teeth - brush 3 times a day, use Crest & ACT (Crest daily, ACT 3 times a week), floss with Glide every night.

Before this visit in January my teeth never bothered me. After having the 6 fillings put in I started having all sorts of toothaces and annoyances, but in other teeth than the ones that had filings. Here we are 8 months later and I have had 2 Root canals (a first for me) and 4 more fillings since then. Total now is 10 fillings and 2 root canals in 8 months.

My diet is very bland and consistent - I eat yogurt w/ granola for breakfast (I am switching this to low sugar cereal and sugar free milk), have some form of a ham/turkey on wheat for lunch and grilled chicken for dinner. I only drink water, nothing else. It is tap water however with a Brita filter.

I've started seeing a different dentist to do this second root canal. Both dentists are telling me it's just genetics. The first dentist even told me not having my first root canal until 29 is really good. The second root canal is half way done and I'm having pains in other teeth still that I fear will be even more root canals. It's worth noting that the 2 root canals are in my bottom 1st molars. The pains I am having now are in my top 1st molars.

I've been researching this a lot and I have a couple of ideas to what could be causing this:

1) Vitamin D - the last time I had my Vitamin D levels checked in 2011 they were low and I started taking Vitamin D3 daiily (1000 IU). I am going to get my levels checked again in the next few weeks by my primary doctor.

2) Grinding teeth at night - I do wake up with headaches fairly often but I think this is something a dentist should notice during a checkup, right?

3) Seroquel - I have been taking 25mg of Seroquel a night since July 2008 for sleeping. I read it can cause dry mouth although I am taking the lowest dosage and I do not notice any signs of dry mouth. I am going to purchase a pH test strip kit to start testing my saliva in the morning.

Is there any one who has had a similar problem or can think of what else could be causing my teeth to be eroding so fast?

Thank you very much for any help!

I had 4 root canals done within half a year at a very young age. It was just all genetic, there was pretty much nothing I can do about. I don't know whether you have the same problem. According to my dentist, there is a group of people where their teeth doesn't form right. It has a bubble in their teeth, once the top of that bubble get grind off, the bubble become a shortcut to the root of your teeth, bacteria can pass right through, and cause painful infection. This happen more in Asian and African American than White.

[Bryanna]

Hi Michael,

I am in the dental field and can offer you some help here.

First of all you need to know that your oral hygiene regimen may be contributing to your tooth decay. Here's why.....
All mouthwashes that contain alcohol, other chemicals, dyes, and preservatives cannot differentiate between good and bad bacteria in the mouth so they tend to kill off everything which is not what you want to do. They also reduce the output of saliva and cause dry mouth which predisposes you to tooth decay and gum disease. So it is best to stop using any mouthwashes. Crest tooth paste and others similar to it also contain nothing but chemicals, preservatives, harsh additives and artificial sweeteners .... all of which reduce the salivary flow and irritate the gums and weaken the enamel on the teeth.

Some of the most effective and non toxic forms of tooth paste are herbal based such as Tom's of Maine and Jason products. In between using an herbal paste you can also use a sprinkle of non aluminum baking soda on a wet tooth brush to brush your teeth with about 3-4 times a week. It is effective in removing plaque, stains and bad bacteria in a non toxic way.

Had it been a long time since you went to the dentist? How is the health of your gums? Do you get any bleeding when you brush or floss?

Eating a bland diet may or may not be necessarily nutritious. It really depends on whether or not the food is fresh or processed.
For example.... store bought yogurt is loaded with sugar or a sugar substitute and the live bacteria that may have been present at the time of processing is basically dead by the time the product hits the shelf. Home made fresh kefir is where you will find the most nutrients and live bacteria. Most boxed cereals are basically refined carbohydrates and have little to no nutritional value. Any form of a "cold cut" is highly processed, loaded with additives and high in sugar. No nutritional value there at all. Wheat is also a highly processed grain and most often it has been genetically modified. Milk.... unfortunately contains an assortment of hormones that the cows were given to produce more milk and antibiotics that the cows were given to reduce the rate of infection acquired from unsanitary living and milking conditions.

It is best to stick with only fresh food (organic and non gmo is ideal), nothing in a box or a can or a pre packaged container. That is the only way to be sure of what you are actually eating. Avoid sugar in all forms other than what naturally occurs in fresh food and fruit. Drink plenty of filtered water throughout the day, herbal teas (organic), fresh made smoothies, avoid soda and other sugar drinks. Stick with whole grain bread with no additives or sugar. Of course these foods will not have a long shelf life... so it's best to only purchase what you need for a short time period.

I am going to post your numbered concerns and reply in bold type.

<<<1) Vitamin D - the last time I had my Vitamin D levels checked in 2011 they were low and I started taking Vitamin D3 daiily (1000 IU). I am going to get my levels checked again in the next few weeks by my primary doctor. >>>

VITAMIN D IS A HORMONE THAT GETS STORED IN THE TISSUES SO THE BODY CAN UTILIZE IT WHEN NEEDED. IF YOU ARE DEFICIENT, THAT MEANS THERE IS NO RESERVE OR STORED AMOUNT. TO BUILD UP A RESERVE, YOU MUST TAKE LARGE DOSES OF VITAMIN D3 FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (USUALLY ABOUT 3 MONTHS) AND THEN ADJUST THE DOSAGE ACCORDING TO THE NEW TEST RESULTS. THE PROPER BLOOD TEST TO CHECK THE CIRCULATING VITAMIN D IS CALLED "25 HYDROXY VITAMIN D". THE OTHER VIT D SERUM TESTS CHECK FOR WHAT HAS ALREADY BE UTILIZED WHICH IS USELESS WHEN TRYING TO DETECT A DEFICIENCY. I PERSONALLY HAVE FOUND A GREAT VITAMIN D3 PRODUCT MADE BY BIOTICS RESEARCH CALLED BIO D MULSION FORTE. IT IS AN EMULSIFIED LIQUID FORM THAT IS EASY TO TAKE AND READILY ABSORBED.

<<<2) Grinding teeth at night - I do wake up with headaches fairly often but I think this is something a dentist should notice during a checkup, right?

NOT NECESSARILY. YOU NEED TO BRING THIS UP TO YOUR DENTIST SO HE CAN CHECK SPECIFIC AREAS OF YOUR TEETH FOR WEAR.

<<<3) Seroquel - I have been taking 25mg of Seroquel a night since July 2008 for sleeping. I read it can cause dry mouth although I am taking the lowest dosage and I do not notice any signs of dry mouth. I am going to purchase a pH test strip kit to start testing my saliva in the morning.>>>

SEROQUEL MOST DEFINITELY REDUCES THE OUTPUT OF SALIVA IRRELEVANT OF THE DOSAGE. THIS CAN BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO YOUR DENTAL DECAY. HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TAKING VALERIAN ROOT OR PASSION FLOWER TO HELP YOU SLEEP? I WOULD NOT MIX EITHER OF THESE HERBS WITH SEROQUEL.

Bryanna

Originally Posted by Michael8483

Hello,

I'm a 29 year old male. In January of this year I started seeing a new dentist. After a check up he found that I needed 6 cavities. It surprised me because I take good care of my teeth - brush 3 times a day, use Crest & ACT (Crest daily, ACT 3 times a week), floss with Glide every night.

Before this visit in January my teeth never bothered me. After having the 6 fillings put in I started having all sorts of toothaces and annoyances, but in other teeth than the ones that had filings. Here we are 8 months later and I have had 2 Root canals (a first for me) and 4 more fillings since then. Total now is 10 fillings and 2 root canals in 8 months.

My diet is very bland and consistent - I eat yogurt w/ granola for breakfast (I am switching this to low sugar cereal and sugar free milk), have some form of a ham/turkey on wheat for lunch and grilled chicken for dinner. I only drink water, nothing else. It is tap water however with a Brita filter.

I've started seeing a different dentist to do this second root canal. Both dentists are telling me it's just genetics. The first dentist even told me not having my first root canal until 29 is really good. The second root canal is half way done and I'm having pains in other teeth still that I fear will be even more root canals. It's worth noting that the 2 root canals are in my bottom 1st molars. The pains I am having now are in my top 1st molars.

I've been researching this a lot and I have a couple of ideas to what could be causing this:

1) Vitamin D - the last time I had my Vitamin D levels checked in 2011 they were low and I started taking Vitamin D3 daiily (1000 IU). I am going to get my levels checked again in the next few weeks by my primary doctor.

2) Grinding teeth at night - I do wake up with headaches fairly often but I think this is something a dentist should notice during a checkup, right?

3) Seroquel - I have been taking 25mg of Seroquel a night since July 2008 for sleeping. I read it can cause dry mouth although I am taking the lowest dosage and I do not notice any signs of dry mouth. I am going to purchase a pH test strip kit to start testing my saliva in the morning.

Is there any one who has had a similar problem or can think of what else could be causing my teeth to be eroding so fast?

Thank you very much for any help!

[Michael8483]

Hi Bryanna,

Thank you so much for your detailed response.

I went back to my dentist this week for the next phase of my current root canal and spoke to him a little about this.

My gums are healthy according to my dentist and I do not bleed when I floss. I go for checkups/cleanings every 6 months. I had him check my mouth for signs of dry mouth or decay and he did not see any signs of it.

He prescribed me sodium fluoride 5000 plus toothpaste and gave me some samples of Biotene mouthwash. I did some research on the Biotene and came across Zellies site selling 100% Xylitol mints. I'm considering using those instead of the Biotene.

Everything you said about the food I am eating makes sense. I'm going to make those diet changes you recommended and also see my doctor about getting tested again for Vitamin D levels and also getting off Seroquel.

A few questions if you don't mind:

1) What is your opinion of brushing twice a day with sodium fluoride 5000 plus?
2) Biotene or Xylitol mints?
3) You said to discontinue using the mouthwashes. Even ACT anticavity fluoride rinse? I am using that now at the recommendation of my dentist as well.

Thanks so much again for your help.

[Bryanna]

Hi Michael,

I will re-post your questions and answer in bold type.

<<<1) What is your opinion of brushing twice a day with sodium fluoride 5000 plus?>>>

I AM NOT A FAN OF FLUORIDE AS IT IS A BY PRODUCT OF TOXIC WASTE. SORRY TO BE SO BLUNT BUT THAT IS WHAT IT IS. FLUORIDE IS HIGHLY TOXIC TO LIVING THINGS AND EVEN USING IT TOPICALLY IS RISKY. ANYTIME YOU USE ANYTHING TOPICALLY ON YOUR TEETH, YOU ARE DIGESTING AT LEAST SOME OF WHAT YOU USE. FLUORIDE CANNOT BE METABOLIZED BY THE BODY THEREFORE IT ACCUMULATES IN THE TISSUE THAT IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH. SO I AM NOT A PROPONENT OF FLUORIDE. CONVENTIONAL MINDED DENTISTS ARE CLUELESS ABOUT THE TOXICITY OF FLUORIDE AND BASICALLY RECOMMEND PRODUCTS THAT ARE ENDORSED BY THE ADA ... WHO JUST HAPPENS TO HAVE A HUGE FINANCIAL INTEREST IN MANY OTC PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN FLUORIDE.

2) Biotene or Xylitol mints?
I DEFINITELY FAVOR XYLITOL OVER BIOTENE.

BIOTENE CONTAINS A BUNCH OF CHEMICALS THAT ARE NOT MEANT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. JUST BECAUSE IT CLAIMS TO BE ALCOHOL FREE, IS IRRELEVANT WHEN YOU FACTOR IN THE OTHER HARMFUL INGREDIENTS. ALSO WHEN SOMETHING SAYS "NATURAL FLAVORING" IT SIMPLY MEANS DERIVED FROM A CHEMICAL SOURCE AND THERE IS NOTHING NATURAL ABOUT IT.

THERE ARE MAJOR DIFFERENCES IN ONE XYLITOL PRODUCT OVER ANOTHER. I THINK XYLITOL HAS THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS AND IS BASICALLY HARMLESS TO MOST PEOPLE. HOWEVER IT IS IMPORTANT TO BUY A PRODUCT THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY UNNECESSARY AND HARSH INGREDIENTS. THE BRAND "XLEAR SPRY" XYLITOL MINTS HAVE QUALITY INGREDIENTS.

<<<3) You said to discontinue using the mouthwashes. Even ACT anticavity fluoride rinse? I am using that now at the recommendation of my dentist as well.>>>

HE RECOMMENDS IT SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS ENDORSED BY THE ADA AND HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE TIME TO LOOK AT THE NEGATIVE SIDES TO USING IT OR WHAT SAFER ALTERNATIVES ARE AVAILABLE. HE BELIEVES IN FLUORIDE... AGAIN BECAUSE HE IS CLUELESS ABOUT THE HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
YOU ARE NOT GETTING ANY HEALTHFUL BENEFIT FROM USING THESE PRODUCTS. HOWEVER, MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THEY SEE A BENEFIT WHEN THEY USE THEM SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOW PAYING MORE CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE DETAIL OF TOOTH BRUSHING~~ FLOSSING~~.

Bryanna

Originally Posted by Michael8483

Hi Bryanna,

Thank you so much for your detailed response.

I went back to my dentist this week for the next phase of my current root canal and spoke to him a little about this.

My gums are healthy according to my dentist and I do not bleed when I floss. I go for checkups/cleanings every 6 months. I had him check my mouth for signs of dry mouth or decay and he did not see any signs of it.

He prescribed me sodium fluoride 5000 plus toothpaste and gave me some samples of Biotene mouthwash. I did some research on the Biotene and came across Zellies site selling 100% Xylitol mints. I'm considering using those instead of the Biotene.

Everything you said about the food I am eating makes sense. I'm going to make those diet changes you recommended and also see my doctor about getting tested again for Vitamin D levels and also getting off Seroquel.

A few questions if you don't mind:

1) What is your opinion of brushing twice a day with sodium fluoride 5000 plus?
2) Biotene or Xylitol mints?
3) You said to discontinue using the mouthwashes. Even ACT anticavity fluoride rinse? I am using that now at the recommendation of my dentist as well.

Thanks so much again for your help.

[youngatart]

hi Michael,

There is some debate over the 2 types of xylitol, the kind made from birch wood or corn husk. The birch wood kind is a bit more expensive. Buying it in a granulated form is always a option to add to tea or coffee or to put a little on your tooth brush. Make sure to keep it away from pets if you have any.

J

[Bryanna]

Jay!

Yes, this is so true!

The xylitol that is derived from corn can also cause some food sensitivities in some people. So in my opinion the xylitol derived from birch is the best way to go!

You can buy this in bulk, add a tsp to a cup of water and rinse before bedtime. That will topically cover your teeth as you sleep and may be advantageous in breaking down the bio film that covers the teeth during sleep.

Bryanna

Originally Posted by youngatart

hi Michael,

There is some debate over the 2 types of xylitol, the kind made from birch wood or corn husk. The birch wood kind is a bit more expensive. Buying it in a granulated form is always a option to add to tea or coffee or to put a little on your tooth brush. Make sure to keep it away from pets if you have any.

J