How I Take Care of My Teeth Without A Dentist (My Holistic Oral Care Routine)

It’s been a few years since my last visit to the dentist, when I went for a routine cleaning. The hygienist explained that they required new X-rays to proceed with the cleansing and dental exam.

So I open my mouth, and as the hygienist crams it full of the x-ray film, I think, Why am I complying with this? I have debunked and disinvested from other harmful forms of medical screenings, so why am still participating in dental exams? Plus, I’m not about to take advice from the dentist if something was wrong with my teeth or gums… just like doctors, they are only taught how to band-aid symptoms, rather than help the body heal.

Before the hygienist began cleaning my teeth, I requested a fluoride-free cleaning treatment. The hygienist gave me a condescending raise of her eyebrow, as if to say, “Oh, you’re one of those people. You think you know more about fluoride than me.”

Yes, I do, I thought to myself. (1, 2, 3.)

After the cleaning, I walked out of the dentist’s office thinking, I’ve already learned I can take better care of my body than a doctor, and how to listen to my body’s needs better than any screening machine. What if I apply the same approach to my oral care?

So, I embarked on researching holistic self-dentistry. Have I written off dentists completely? If I can find a way to get an occasional teeth cleaning without x-rays, I’m open to that. For now, I’m taking care of my teeth from the inside-out and with a holistic oral care routine.

A HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE ON ORAL HEALTH

Conventional dentistry treats only the teeth and gums, as if the mouth is separate from the rest of the body. Many people don’t question this approach, because we’ve been taught to see the body as a collection of disconnected organs and systems. 

As a result of this thinking, we visit “specialists” like gastroenterologists, gynecologists, oncologists, dermatologists, and dentists. What if it’s backwards to break the body apart and treat symptoms, instead of addressing the body as an integrated being? What if oral health is inextricably tied to the health of our whole body?

Let’s explore that perspective.

Teeth are living tissue, with an intelligent repair and maintenance process. This partly consists of a dentinal fluid system. Dentinal fluid is a protective substance that flows from the intestinal area, then moves upward and outward through the tooth. It flushes toxins, replenishes minerals, and repeals undesired microbial growth.

In her empowering book, Holistic Dental Care, author Nadine Artemis compares this fluid to tree sap, which flows upward to nourish the tree.

When the body is out of balance, this dentinal fluid can reverse its flow. It sucks bacteria from the mouth into the teeth, which causes tooth decay and cavities. This process is governed by the hormonal system. It’s regulated by a hormone secreted by the hypothalamus.

So, oral health is inextricably tied to gut health and hormonal balance. Does it make sense to treat teeth/gum problems as separate from the whole body? No way!

“You can avoid the dentist without ignoring your teeth. You can bypass the dentist’s office, not because you are afraid to go, but because you understand your oral ecology, and you are free of decay. All you need is a little more wisdom, and you can keep your teeth strong and beautiful, and avoid dental stress. It is a matter of learning a few new habits and a new daily maintenance routine that involves some simple at-home procedures that your childhood dentist knew nothing about.” – Nadine Artemis, in Holistic Dental Care

Now let’s look at other factors behind teeth and gum health.

Enamel is the hard, protective coating on your teeth – like tightly packed cardboard boxes. The minerals calcium and phosphorous fill the boxes, making them strong. When the boxes are not filled with these minerals, the enamel weakens and wears away. This is called demineralization, and precedes tooth decay and cavity formation.

What contributes to demineralization?

• Inadequate mineral intake
• Consuming foods that deplete your body’s mineral stores (such as grains high in phytic acid)
• High consumption of sugars and refined carbohydrates, which contributes to acidic saliva (increased acid levels in the mouth = demineralization)
• Lack of fat-soluble vitamins required to absorb minerals

Interestingly, when we’re consuming a healthful diet, oral hygiene isn’t even necessary for healthy teeth… only for cosmetic purposes. This was shown by the groundbreaking work of dentist Dr. Weston Price.

In the early 1930’s, Dr. Price traveled the world to discover the secrets of healthy people and found that nutrient-rich diets dictated oral health. Cultures adhering to the traditional, local diets of their ancestors had almost no tooth decay, even though they didn’t practice any oral hygiene.

When their ancestors consumed a nutrient-rich diet, and the children themselves consumed nutrient-dense foods from birth, children were physically strong, mentally healthy, had strikingly beautiful bone structure, and indiscernible levels of tooth decay:

However, when parents strayed from the traditional diets of their tribes and when children grew up consuming refined foods, it led to poor bone structure and tooth decay:

Dr. Price studied the ancestral diets of communities across the globe, from the Alaskan Inuit to Masai in Kenya, to the indigenous Polynesian Islanders. He measured the nutrient profiles of these traditional diets. These tribes ate wildly different foods based on geographic influences. Yet when Dr. Price measured nutrient levels, he found incredible similarities, including high levels of fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.

How did these indigenous communities know how to best nourish their bodies, and their teeth? Perhaps because they were intuitively connected to their own bodies, and the nourishment in nature.

Dr. Price outlined his findings in his landmark book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. After his travels, he began treating his dental patients through dietary recommendations before dental work. He stated,

This form of nutritional control of dental caries is so satisfactory that I can recommend it with confidence as adequate to control well over 95% of dental caries [cavities].

MY HOLISTIC ORAL CARE ROUTINE

1. Mineral-Rich Diet

First and foremost, I support my dental health by consuming food-based minerals and the co-factors (nutrients) required to absorb those minerals. This includes:

• Homemade bone broth, which is rich in minerals. Each week, I roast a whole chicken then make broth in the crockpot.
• Plenty of grass-fed butter, ghee, and pastured egg yolks, which contain the co-factors required to absorb minerals. In particular, these foods contain vitamin K2, which acts as a shuttle to transport calcium into your cells (Source: Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox.)
• Sunlight exposure (without sunscreen) to ensure adequate vitamin D levels, another co-factor required for the body to utilize minerals.
• Carbohydrates low in phytic acid. Phytic acid, found in grains, is anti-nutrient which blocks the absorption of minerals. The indigenous practice of soaking and fermenting grains almost eliminates phytic acid. For many years, I followed a grain-free diet to address autoimmunity. Now, I’ve re-incorporated grains low in phytic acid, such as white rice. If you’re on a journey to reverse tooth decay or cavities, however, I recommend a grain-free diet until healing is achieved.
• Pearl powder… freshwater pearls, ground into a fine powder! Pearls are concentrated mineral deposits. Pearl powder contains various minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, in a readily-absorbed form. It’s been used in Chinese medicine for centuries, for both health and beauty applications. It doesn’t add any flavor to beverages, so I put 1/4 tsp. into my beverages (including morning coffee) twice a day. My new favorite source is Cultivate Elevate Pearl Powder.

2. oil pulling

I credit oil pulling as the most significant piece in my oral care — more important than brushing. Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic process of swishing oil in the mouth, on an empty stomach, to support oral health and full-body detoxification.

The process is simple: put 2 to 3 tsp. oil in your mouth in the morning, before consuming anything other than water, and swish for 10 – 15 minutes. Then, spit the oil into a trash can (not the toilet or sink, as oil can clog plumbing). Notice how much cleaner your mouth feels.

Traditionally, Ayurvedic medicine prescribes swishing with sesame oil. I exclusively use this oil pulling blend from PureO3, a blend of oxygen-infused sesame oil and coconut, flavored with peppermint essential oil. The high oxygen content supports gum health.

3. Tooth cleansing powder with minerals

Instead of using conventional toothpaste, I use the Pure O3 tooth cleansing powder. It contains minerals and oxygenated coconut oil… and no toxic ingredients!

4. Tongue scraping

After brushing, I scrape my tongue with a stainless steel tongue scraper. This freshens breath and reduces bacterial load in the mouth.

5. Flossing

Conventional dental floss contains a class of toxic chemicals called PFAS. I like the natural Desert Essence brand, which is waxed with beeswax.

6. Salt Water Rinse

Nadine Artemis recommends making a simple salt water rinse, by dissolving unrefined salt and filtered water in a glass jar. Use this to vigorously rinse the mouth ideally after every meal, then spit it out. The salt neutralizes acidic saliva.

While I’m not religious about using it after every meal, I’ll reach for the rinse if I’m having gum sensitivity.

7. Neem and mastic oil for gum health

When I have a sensitive area or sore spot on my gums, I’ll use a dab of Yogi Tooth Serum, an essential oil blend from Living Libations. It’s very effective!

Please note, it has a little kick as it contains cayenne and cinnamon oil.

8. Charcoal as a natural teeth whitener

Teeth whitening is not a top priority for me, but I’ve noncommittally experimented with various natural whitening agents.

For example, I tried using 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse after brushing. This is a very low concentration of hydrogen peroxide, compared to conventional whitening strips that contain up to 15% hydrogen peroxide. However, some research shows that hydrogen peroxide can damage the living tissue (dentin) beneath the tooth enamel so I don’t use it anymore.

One natural and moderately effective whitening option I’ve tried is activated charcoal. Simply dip your tooth brush in activated charcoal (you can empty out a charcoal capsule into a little dish). Brush gently, and leave it on for 3 minutes. It will blacken your toothbrush and make your mouth look horrifyingly black during the brushing process, but don’t worry! It rinses right off your teeth. Find more details on charcoal as a teeth whitener here.

Update: One reader, a holistic dentist, shared two resources for those who desire non-toxic professional dentistry, and/or the removal of mercury fillings. Check out organizations like IAOMT.org and IABDM.org to find like minded professionals.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

Teeth are living tissue, interconnected and responsive to the health of your entire body. A holistic oral care routine starts with a nutrient dense diet and digestive health. Additional steps such as oil pulling, using a mineral-rich tooth powder, and rinsing with salt water support healthy teeth and gums.

Do you have any additional suggestions for holistic, dentist-free dental care?