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Veganism and rotting teeth :(
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Permalink Reply by Lauren Paskovich on -
Are you eating a lot of sugar? At first this happened to me, and once I cut out a lot of the sugar (not "natural" sugars like fruit) the problem resolved itself. I've always taken good care of my teeth and getting rid of the sugar was the only thing that helped to resolve my teeth issues. I floss once at night, use Tom's of Maine Complete Care toothpaste, and mouthwash. When I first went vegan I was too worried about cutting everything else out that I didn't realize how much sugar I was eating. You can still eat garbage and be vegan. Hope this helps. :o)
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Permalink Reply by Tracy G on
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The only sugar I consume is in it's natural state. I'm a recovering orthorexic so "garbage" is def outta the question lol
Lauren Paskovich said:Are you eating a lot of sugar? At first this happened to me, and once I cut out a lot of the sugar (not "natural" sugars like fruit) the problem resolved itself. I've always taken good care of my teeth and getting rid of the sugar was the only thing that helped to resolve my teeth issues. I floss once at night, use Tom's of Maine Complete Care toothpaste, and mouthwash. When I first went vegan I was too worried about cutting everything else out that I didn't realize how much sugar I was eating. You can still eat garbage and be vegan. Hope this helps. :o)
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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Park on -
Citrus is rough on enamel and so is coffee - never eat or drink these within 30 min of brushing and always rinse well after consuming .... lemons, limes and vinegars are especially harsh ....
Tracy G said:The only sugar I consume is in it's natural state. I'm a recovering orthorexic so "garbage" is def outta the question lol
Lauren Paskovich said:Are you eating a lot of sugar? At first this happened to me, and once I cut out a lot of the sugar (not "natural" sugars like fruit) the problem resolved itself. I've always taken good care of my teeth and getting rid of the sugar was the only thing that helped to resolve my teeth issues. I floss once at night, use Tom's of Maine Complete Care toothpaste, and mouthwash. When I first went vegan I was too worried about cutting everything else out that I didn't realize how much sugar I was eating. You can still eat garbage and be vegan. Hope this helps. :o)
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Permalink Reply by Tracy G on
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My diet was beyond healthy. Like I mentioned, I am recovering from orthorexia. In fact, I was too healthy--in the fact that I gave myself pancreatitis as a result from trying to make every meal as healthy as possible. God only knows the amount of things I would jam-pack into a smoothie... chia, hemp, kefir, raw kale, berries, you name it. Striving to be so "nutritious" at every possible second was just too much for my pancreas to handle. As a result, it became inflamed by trying to digest so much.
To make a long story short, I stopped everything... vitamins, nutrients, everything in an effort to overcome my disease. I feel as though my teeth rotted away from this and basically a calcium deficiency. I guess my question now is, how to I go about remineralizing them??
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Permalink Reply by Nicholas Udovicic on -
Going vegan will help your teeth, although there are other factors, like sugar, sleeping with your mouth open, ect., that may contribute to tooth decay. If you want to go all out with being green, make natural toothpaste! There are many recipes on the net. I had major tooth decay problems and my diet has always been pretty sugar free. Ever since I stopped using Fluoride (from toothpaste, mouth wash, and dental cleanings) I haven't had a problem. Not to get all esoteric here, but I'm just sharing my personal experience.
Stay Green!!
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Permalink Reply by Michael Holberton on -
Hi Pam,
Is it the Kyo-Dophilus® Vegetarian that you use?
Thank you, Michael.
Pam said:Hi Tracy-
I'm really empathetic to your situation. I hope that in my last post, it was evident that I was not judgmental - because what I was really trying to do was offer you encouragement. :)
There comes a point when we have to take responsibility for our health; take stock of what we are doing that is positive, as well as, what could be negative. So Tracy, if I may be completely honest with you... I'd like to let you know that I see a lot of contradictions in what you write. You say that you "always had great teeth" but you also say that you "brushed too much and wore down the enamel." Not good right? But you are acknowledging the physical damage caused and are trying to make amends. That sounds like you are on the right track!
But then you say that "you are beyond healthy." Is orthorexia healthy? No. (Good intentions aside.) Inflammation of the pancreas is a big red-flag. As we know, once we wear down tooth enamel we can't get it back... further dental problems (like sensitivity, pitting, exposed dentin...) can most certainly be attributed to the physical (brushing) damage. I'm not suggesting this is the sole explanation but to a professed "obsessed" with keeping your teeth clean, person ~ I think it warrants serious consideration. I just think it would be such a shame to jump to the conclusion that following a plant-based diet is directly responsible for, as you say, the "holes in my teeth..."
You asked for advice so if I may? I'd like to maintain my suggestion of looking into your acid/alkaline balance. Too much acid = inflammation. I'd also recommend taking digestive enzymes (I read on your page you have digestive complaints) before your meals. I take a veg-friendly formula of Kyolic which includes digestive enzymes, before lunch and dinner. Remember, you may be ingesting all these great nutrients from kale, hemp, etc but how much are you actually absorbing? For this reason and also to increase alkalinity I suggest you consider adding probiotics to your regimen. BioK is the one I use and recommend. They have two veg (soy or rice) options. Using these strategies may help get the minerals from the food you eat - right where you need them to go: your teeth! I would continue to eat the wide variety of healthful food you are currently including in your diet (along with the raw choices you can tolerate) and, I know you stopped taking supplements, but if you felt your diet w/enzymes, probiotics etc, was not enough you could consider taking a liquid (easier to digest) form of calcium.
I use special toothbrushes (the 'sensitive' ones you buy at the drug store are still too harsh) and I use all natural toothpastes like Lauren and Nicholas touched-on. Like Nicholas, I always refuse fluoride (an OPTIONAL extra that costs more money) at the dentist's office and learned, all over again, how to brush my teeth (to reduce sensitivity.)
Just my two cents,
Pam
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