How often should you get your teeth cleaned at the dentist's office?
Let's put it this way… Do you think people in traditional cultures ran off to their dentist for their twice-yearly cleanings?
I'm sure that if you asked our dentist, “How often should you get your teeth cleaned”, he'd definitely say twice a year. Thankfully, however, even though he's mostly conventionally-minded, he's really cool about us not coming in for cleanings as often as the “recommended schedule” suggests, and he doesn't bat an eye when I deny yet another set of x-rays for myself or especially for our kids. I appreciate that SO much. However, I know that in some offices if you don't follow their protocol, you're booted out.
Sadly, most of the real solutions to dental issues that many of us deal with are unknown to the vast majority of mainstream dentists.
Why is that? Especially when time and again, these alternative solutions WORK. When I posted, Can Cavities Really be *Healed*?, just on my little blog three people in the comments shared their stories of healing with real food, and I’ve heard many more from readers since.
Here's another dramatic tooth remineralization story: How to Save $2600 in Dental Bills.
Today I wanted to share an interesting blog comment from one of my faithful reader friends that illustrates all of this, as far as how often you should get your teeth cleaned…
First she quoted my story in yesterday's post about Kent's follow up appointment with our doc to check his blood pressure (we got him OFF the meds safely!):
I said to our doctor, “Hey guess what we eat a lot of? BUTTER.” He said, “I like butter.” I said, “Yeah good, but I’m talking about eating butter *liberally*, and other healthy fats, too, like coconut oil and beef tallow!”
Here are Jennifer's comments:
I'm laughing like crazy here after reading what you said to your doctor, because I just had a similar experience. Our beloved dentist passed away several years ago, and I'm not crazy about our new dentist. In fact, SO not crazy about him that back in 2012, when my boys had started competing in their homeschool speech and debate league, I “neglected” to reschedule a dental cleaning appointment that we had to cancel due to a tournament…and didn't get around to making new appointments for ANY of my 4 kids until we got back into things this fall. That's 2 1/2 years of no dental cleanings for all four kids and myself.
I went in first, a couple weeks ago, and the hygienist said, “Well, I can't really recommend going two-and-a-half years between getting your teeth cleaned, but in your case…it clearly hasn't caused any problems. I really didn't have anything to do here.”
Last week, I took my boys in to get their teeth cleaned and they both got asked if they'd been going somewhere else for dental cleanings, because there was “no way a teenage boy could go that long and have no build-up or problems”. Today it was my girls' turn for their dental cleanings. The hygienists BOTH were raving about how well-maintained the girls' teeth were – no plaque build-up, nothing for them to clean off.
After his final check (remember: one adult and 4 kids who've gone without cleanings for 2 and a half years that he's seen in the last 2 weeks with no plaque, no gum disease, no cavities, no problems) our dentist finally said to me, “I don't know what you're doing, but obviously it's working for you. I've never seen kids with such clean teeth and healthy mouths…even the ones that come in for regular cleanings!”
So I blurted out, “It must be their diet of whole foods and good fats, because they never floss, half the time I can't get them to brush their teeth even once a day, and they don't use fluoridated toothpaste either!”
I don't know if I planted a seed…or got a flag in my file as ‘weirdo mommy' but it was kind of fun.”
Pretty cool story, don't you think? Tell THAT to your friends or your dentist if the issue ever comes up about how often you should get your teeth cleaned and see what they say!
Now keep in mind that even if a healthy diet is KEY for most people (no processed foods, plenty of healthy fats, pastured healthy meats, cod liver oil, etc.), and also knowing that in some traditional cultures they didn't even brush, we may be tempted to just eat well and not take care of our teeth much at all. However, I'm all for continuing to keep up on our own and our kids' oral care so that we don't get scuzzy looking yellow teeth, atomic breath, and especially so we don't let a problem go that might need some attention. Cleaning every six months though? I wouldn't do that even if we did have dental insurance. We go yearly.
We also take this vitamin daily, and along with our diet, I'm sure that it also makes a huge difference in how good our teeth always are at our cleanings. (They always comment about how there's not much plaque at all, no cavities, etc.–thankfully!)
What do you think? How often should you get your teeth cleaned, how often do YOU go in for regular dental cleanings?
- Have you seen this book by Rami Nagel: How to Heal Tooth Decay?
Michele Riley Ohmer says
Receding gums have caused me so many problems
Kisha Armstrong says
I was referred to a periodontists who wanted to put braces on to straighten my teeth to THEN start an aggressive perio maintenance plan. My gums don’t bleed, I don’t have any teeth sensitivities and yes I have my bottom teeth that are slightly “crowded” and one tooth slightly behind but otherwise everything’s fine. I smelled the desire for my money. I wish there were more naturopathic dentists around. I switched to activated charcoal and clay tooth pastes and stopped using Listerine. If 85% of adults (who attend a dentist regularly) have gingivitis based off Dentist’s recommendations of certain toothpastes and mouthwashes…then shouldn’t we question whether or not we need to take another look at these “recommendations”?!?
Shelly Palmer says
Where do you purchase your tooth paste? Also does it help if someone has gingivitis or teeth that are starting to rot?
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
This is what we use: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/toothpaste

Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Barb Lawrence — it’s not that there’s anything wrong with them (although every 3 months seems like a lot), but they just aren’t necessary as often as some people think, especially if your diet is good.
Barb Lawrence says
What’s wrong with cleanings? I used to go every three months. Now because my insurance isn’t as good, I go every six months.
Katie Casey Whelan says
I was just at my dentist and refused X-rays and haven’t had them in 2 years and my dentist basically told me that I have to get them next time I have been going to this dentist since I was 5
I’m 41 now
Yikes I don’t know what to do!! But I feel like I want to go to another denstis
Jill-David Boman says
Maybe you can find a better, holistic dentist here: https://holisticdental.org/find-a-holistic-dentist

Sharon Roberts says
Our dentist insisted we needed X-rays before his hygienists could clean our teeth again (we had lost insurance 2 years prior)…so we went to a dental school at “finals time” and paid less than $100 for both of us, all X-rays, floride treatment and cleaning then six months later saw our regular hygienist with copies of our X-rays in hand and dentist walked in for less than a minute and we paid over $100 each for that cleaning….still cheaper than letting them do the X-rays.

Emily Steffans says
We went for cleanings after about 1 1/2 years and the dentist said our teeth were fine!
Corinne Spanelewski says
You posted this at the perfect time. Me and my sister were talking about how often she felt she needed to go. You have the best ever face book page. If I only could follow 1 page it would be yours. I have learned so much from your posts and avoided a dr visit for a uti as well thanks to you.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Corinne Spanelewski — I’m SO happy my posts help you, that’s why I’m here. 🙂 xoxo
Rose Lucht says
I’m so excited we sent away for Heal thy mouth blend. Thank you Kelly for sharing sooo many good things with us!!
Jodie Hagan says
I go to the dentist about every 3 or 4 years. Every time I’ve gone in the last 13 or so years I’ve been told I had a cavity. Each time it was in a different molar. Except for the last time I went and they said everything looked good. I never had any of my “cavities” drilled and filled. And somehow they just went away. We have been drinking raw milk off an on for the last 10 years or so. I’m hoping that the next time I go to the dentist the status quo will be maintained.
Dr. Luperon says
Hello! Interesting article. As dentists, we look out for the health of our patients’ teeth and gums. Some dentists might be “pushy” about certain procedures and that is not right. As long as the patient is informed about the consequences, then it can be up to them to decide what they do. But please leave dental work and major cosmetic procedures to the experiences professionals! 🙂
Leanne says
(Reposting for Leanne after a website glitch.)
I know this post is old, but I’ll comment anyway! Look into someone who does functional orthodontics. They address issues of poor oral posture that contribute to misaligned/crowded teeth. Appliances like myobrace and advanced light wire (ALF) might be of interest. Myobrace is silicone device, ALF a metal wire placed behind teeth like a retainer.
Carter Michaelson says
Luckily, my wife and I were blessed with kids that don’t mind going to the dentist and do a great job of taking care of their teeth. I’m glad we aren’t the only ones that don’t go to the dentist for the recommended appointments! We just moved to London, Ontario and I hope we will be able to find a great dentist for when we go in for cleanings.
Jessy Shaw says
Call me crazy, but I love going to the dentist. I have never once had a cavity in my 24 years! My sister was playing softball a few years back and took a ball to the mouth. She lost three teeth and had to get a cosmetic job done. She hates the dentist but swears by our dentist now. It pays to know someone who knows how to do their job well!
Robbie Hardy says
I have always been a guy that has gone to the dentist religiously every 6 months since I little. Sometimes, when I was younger, that felt like a waste because I tend to take pretty good care of my teeth. Now that I’m older I enjoy going to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned because they feel so much nicer afterwards.
jamie says
We began the WAPF lifestyle 12 years ago and my three children have not had a single dental appointment other than when my son knocked out half of his two front permanent teeth. We do have crowding in the youngest ones mouth but they are all in really good shape. We are considering braces on the youngest and would appreciate any alternative information on it.
Carrie Owens via Facebook says
I have a pretty bad cavity that came on during a severe illness 2 years ago. The dentist wanted to do a crown and a bunch of drilling, I didn’t feel well enough for major work at the time so I waited. I started oil pulling and homeopathic calcarea phosphorica and calcarea fluorica. It has gone from a black gaping hole to barely there and gray/white. I hope to eventually heal it completely.
Susana Sexauer via Facebook says
Hi, I would like to say that I have worked in public health, and in private dental offices. I have seen the worst and the best. Education is key, and as long as you’re educated on what’s best for yourself, you should not assume that the next person’s health is the same as yours. Some of my patients have been able to be seen once a year, while others need to come in four times a year because they may need to maintain their oral health in order to keep their bone and gums healthy. I have also seen patients who are healthy one visit, and wait years to return only to have terrible problems.
Also, along with preventing cavities, oral cancer, and gingivitis (which leads into periodontal disease or “gum disease”), oral health is also linked to other health problems such as diabetes, lung or heart disease, premature births, and strokes. I am only saying that in My profession I am trying to educate my patients individually in order to prevent the worst case scenarios, and to most importantly to keep them healthy.
Chett Fiat via Facebook says
If you’re Dentist isn’t satisfactory, ask questions, then perhaps, move on to the next Dentist until you’re satisfied. They are Doctors, some are cool, some aren’t…
Cynthia Averill Campbell via Facebook says
Baking Soda toothpaste!
Don Sutton via Facebook says
Helen, the “baby” teeth we all develop are designed to provide us with eating instruments to help in the digestion of our food during our early years. They are meant to be replaceable at the appropriate times in our lives so that fuller/larger teeth can fill the spaces left in our larger jaws. What we can assume, then, is that baby teeth are meant to be lost at the time they are no longer needed in order to guide their permanent replacements into their best position.
I have a computer program that can analyze X-rays of teeth and detect beginning cavities before they are visible to the human eye. I am therefore able to tell patients that they have cavities that have begun but do not require being restored because they decay has not broken through the dentin-enamel junction. This is excellent information for the patient to know because they then have the knowledge of where especially to clean to prevent cavities. And by the way I’ve seen such cavities disappear after proper homecare has been practiced.
It’s impossible to give all the reasons why one should go to the dentist; there are as many reasons as there are people. All I know is it’s better to go and know than to have a problem develop “out of the blue”.
By the way, I’ve had 39 years of experience and I know what I’m talking about.
Helen Vacchiano via Facebook says
We go to a holistic dentist, but on our last visit they pointed out 3 areas involving 6 of my 5 year old’s baby teeth that are showing cavity growth in between the teeth. We drink raw milk, use real butter, and coconut oil also. It’s not just the cost that is staggering ($300+ per composite!), but that these are his baby teeth and will be falling out. I am skeptical about why they are so eager to get us in “right away” if the “cavities” are in the early stages? Any advice or suggestions?
Jennifer says
First of all, if you don’t have a history with this dentist I’d go for a second opinion. However, decay is decay and infection isn’t healthy for your body so you definitely don’t want it to go that far. It is true that very small cavities that are still within the enamel layer can be reversed by very diligent home care but once decay has broken through that very hard thin layer it can move quickly in the softer layers of teeth causing pain and infection. Just because ‘baby’ teeth fall out anyway doesn’t mean they have no purpose. They help your child chew his food properly and learn to speak properly and they also help the jaw to grow in order that the permanent teeth can come in straight. If there is actually decay it’s much less invasive to get small fillings than big ones.
Amanda Anderson via Facebook says
This should be renamed “It’s scary… What you *don’t* know”
Amanda Anderson via Facebook says
Hey Spencer, imagine how many boards patients we could find off this post
Spencer Lane Gilmore via Facebook says
Ooookay people calm down. As a hygienist, id like you to know, we dont REMOVE ANY ENAMEL. Are you serious. Thats exactly what were trying to preserve. You can take a holistic approach all you want but that wont take away the buildup (calculus) from your teeth that can cause gingival irritation. And children are So worh investing in. We not only clean teeth, we screen for oral cancers and other health concerns that can be identified in the mouth. Do what you will but dont bash the good things dental professionals do for the public. And you can look it up on the cdc website (the most credible thing you can find), fluoride DOES NOT CAUSE CANCER, DOES NOT HARM YOU (unless on lethal doses which is soooo muh its rediculous), it is scientifically proven to lessen the occurrence of decay. Dont trust what you randomly find on the internet. Always check the sources!!!
Ashleigh Blake via Facebook says
I am in the field and no I don’t agree with yearly check ups if you are in good habits however milestones in growth for your children I do believe are worth investing in
Ashleigh Blake via Facebook says
I love it when people who don’t understand the field and have no real education in the how and whys… Don’t get me wrong I oil pull myself but x-rays are needed and new technology makes it so your pretty much getting more radiation exposure from your alarm clock and cell phone. People with good oral habits are rare so don’t preach because your part of the select few
Larry says
Any tips on trying to rebuild the outer layer of enamel? -Thanks!
KitchenKop says
Larry,
Yes, read this:
https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2013/02/how-to-save-2600-in-dental-bills-another-real-food-success-story.html
Kelly
Larry says
Thank you so much KitchenKop!!!
Lorette L. Betcher via Facebook says
Every six months or sooner!
Kelly Murray Shelton via Facebook says
I’ve never had dental work in my life, not one cavity filled, and I’m 51. Funny thing is, I’ve been told thru the years by one dentist after another that I had a cavity that needs filling here, then there, then here, then there, but never the same tooth once. So I never had one filled and I’ve never had a problem.
Thea Steggall via Facebook says
I take my older dd twice a year, no fluoride. I pay nothing, it’s all covered by insurance. No cavities.
Sandrine Love via Facebook says
Thanks! I’ll share this one!
Sharon Jewel via Facebook says
The cleanings are more about removing plaque then preventing cavities. If you keep the plaque away it won’t get under your gumline to cause periodontal disease, which can make you lose your teeth. I didn’t go for my cleaning is for many years and because of that my teeth started becoming a loose, due to bone loss. I had to spend lots of money on bridges. I wish I had gone for my cleanings, all those years that I didn’t. Cleanings can prevent high dentist bills. My dentist is holistic, and not money hungry.
Misti Schroeter via Facebook says
LOVE IT!! I think people think I am a weirdo mommy too! Getting ready to schedule my 9yr olds first dental appt.
Cindy Landskron via Facebook says
Cleanings and X-rays are guaranteed income for the Drs. And then for the uninitiated mainstream population, this is where cavities are caught and usually filled. So it’s a win-win for dentists. DO NOT write LETTERS or call me names!! IM NOT SAYING THAT ALL or ANY DENTISTS ARE MONEY HUNGRY SHARKS. however they are taught in a mindset that says cleaning teeth is necessary to prevent cavities. And X-rays will expose cavities. And poisonous fluoride stengthens teeth. They are not taught that diet and nutrition will prove all of the above to be unnecessary.
They also have sky high insurance costs to pay as well as prime real estate. And they’ve got to eat too!
We have insurance and I tend to bring the kids twice a year. We pay for dental coverage and cleanings are free. They get an expensive toothbrush that I don’t have to pay for again (since I already paid for it with my premiums) and we refuse the fluoride and X-rays.
And our dentists have been good about minimal intervention–watching cavities, not pulling teeth (had to beg for a couple that were hanging but wouldn’t leave on its own) or even not pushing for orthodontics, and believe me I had a couple obvious cases!
So not everyone is looking for a buck. Our current dentist is a wonderful family man who treats my boys like his own.
I try to talk about my natural philosophy and lifestyle whole there but all I ever see is the hygienists, since we don’t have any issues! Then they’ll tell me, well I only let my child drink fruit juice! 😉 And I just smile. I can’t change the world but I can change mine.
The more we educate our own families, the more the word will be spread to others by our example.
Valerie Mathes Howells via Facebook says
We go to a holistic dentist who sometimes lectures at WAPF chapter meetings. She tells us that dental hygiene is more important than diet. We eat a lot of real food (though, far from perfect). Two of my kids each have one cavity in a permanent tooth. I’ve been trying to get them to stick with the program more but they resist. They refuse to drink the raw milk I buy. I think that is key. Unless the cod liver oil works a miracle, they will be getting fillings soon. Most people don’t even know that cavities can be healed. My husband kind of doubts it. I actually could use some help.
Dalana Cooper Squires via Facebook says
I brought my 15 and 13 year old boys to the dentist this year. It was their first visit ever to the dentist. Quotes from their dentist : “this is the first time I have ever told a 13 year old they didn’t need to floss!” And to my 15 year old — “you are a model for perfect teeth!” No cavities, no plaque. We use real butter and coconut oil. Drink whole milk, and eat real food! Oh, and we don’t use fluoride toothpaste either!
Great article! I love it! It is not natural or logical to go to the dentist twice a year to get your enamel polished off of your teeth! You need that enamel!!
Elizabeth says
The solution to no plaque buildup? It’s brushing with BAKING SODA after dipping your toothbrush in coconut oil!! I have been doing this daily for about two years, and it is AMAZING! Totally cleans your teeth and your whole mouth! Be sure to clean your tongue too! NO plaque buildup!
Michael says
Up until a couple months ago, the last time I went to a dentist for anything was July 1997. This visit was to check the root canal that had been done on the #7 tooth. Ironically, this tooth had to be extracted because the dentist that did it (USN) drilled through the back of the tooth and it abscessed on me and could not be sealed off. This was my first encounter with Dr. Price’s research in a clinical setting from a great dentist.
Last month I went to a Dentist because I had a problem with the #14 tooth and wanted it extracted. Needless to say the Dentist tried to get me to do a root canal on the tooth but as a subscriber to Dr. Weston Price’s research I convinced him to extract the tooth and read up a little on the research I provided from the Foundation on root canals and cancer. During the follow up appointment I asked if he had read some and he said he did. He probed around my mouth with his pick and magnified glasses and asked me again how long it had been since had seen a dentist.
Because it had been SEVENTEEN YEARS since I had insurance and seen a dentist, I reluctantly allowed a FULL check up and x-rays. Well the good news is, because of our diet and home care I had NO cavities, NO cracks and was only advised to get a deep cleaning because of the length of time between dental visits. I asked if it was NEEDED and was told no, but it was recommended.
There is a huge difference between recommended and needed. One is to keep the dentist in his nice office, going on nice vacations and living in his nice house. The other is to keep you healthy and pain free. Recommended or needed, that is the choice.
Angel says
Plaque is soft buildup formed on the teeth from eating. When plaque is left on the structures of the tooth and root surface it can become mineralized. This is now called calculus. It’s like lime on a sink. You clean the sink and a few days, weeks later the formation begins again. Like lime, calculus is a pourous deposit. Once the first layer is established its just going to keep building until the deposit is removed. Hence scaling it off the teeth is the way it’s removed. Saliva content, ie more minerals determine the amount and tenacity of said build up. Because this deposit is porous, bacteria accumulates and lives there in the honeycomb structure. It takes 24 hours for what we eat to turn into bacteria. It’s just like leaving food out on the counter, what does it look in a day? What does it look like in a week. Bleeding gums is a sign of an infection. Healthy tissue doesn’t bleed. Also, when tooth decay occurs in the outer enamel layer (not into the underlying structure of dentin) it can be reminerlized. I believe in educating the public, I’m an RDH, this is my job and passion. I believe everyone has the ability to never suffer from dental disease. This starts at home with good oral hygiene, and the education that hopefully you will be receiving as a patient in a professional capacity. Btw, if you are one without dental insurance look into getting your check ups at a dental hygiene school, it’s very cheap, 10 to15$. Usually any type of cleaning you need. Also dental schools is a cost effective way of getting treatment as well. All of us should have the opportunity to live healthy and with out dental pain.
Michelle says
I’ve never had my teeth cleaned. I am 45 and my dentist just “doesn’t believe in it.” He even had an incident where he was questioned by the ADA (?) when his licensing was due as to why he wasn’t following their protocol. He gave provided evidence on why he doesn’t do it and has not been questioned since. I have had 5 cavities in my life (3 filled prior to age 10 by this dentist), I’ve never had a root canal. I did break a tooth on a popcorn kernel last year and he just built the tooth back up for me vs capping it like most conventional dentists would have done.
My son is 24 and also has never had his teeth cleaned. He’s also only had a couple of fillings. My 3 year old also goes to our same family dentist. Did I mention he doesn’t use laughing gas and gives shots that you can’t feel.
I’ve been going to him since I was 4. I don’t know what I am going to do when he finally retires and I’m forced to find another dentist!!
Raluca Schachter says
Two years ago I made the big mistake of having a deep cleaning, which I don’t think I needed…Right after I had major plaque built up, and an overall bad feeling in my mouth…Then I discovered the calcium therapy promoted by dr Mark Manhart and so I switched to the calcium toothbrushes, eliminated toothpaste (I make my own now) and I’m very pleased with the results. Plaque decreased significantly and the overall oral health is also improved. According to dr Manhart flossing is actually not even necessary, and quite dangerous. So I stopped flossing as well.
Shelia says
Interesting article. We had not taken our kids to the dentist, not even once, until they were 14 and 13 years old. We finally did, expecting to hear about cavities and a huge lecture from the dentist. Well, they didn’t have any cavities but one of the kids had a lot of build up. Someone said it might be because of genetics but both my husband and I have had cavities and fillings. Lots of them- and had years and years of dentist visits and fluoride treatments while growing up. I think there’s something to that and am just now starting to research it.
We’re also not very strict about food. We eat very little processed food for meals but the kids are allowed to eat candy and drink juice and sodas. They don’t go crazy over either of them, but do have them. I don’t think I’ll be taking them to the dentist twice a year, even though it was suggested now that we have dental insurance.
Cheree Wheaton says
I’m an Oral Health Therapist and while I recommend a change of diet to my patients and I practice minimal intervention dentistry (reversing/remineralising early decay etc), I also treat patients with periodontal (gum/jaw bone) disease. The bacteria that causes this is different to decay and you can still get tartar/calculus (hard plaque) build up regardless of diet. Usually those with great, healthy ‘strong teeth’ are the ones who produce more build up because their mouths/saliva is more alkaline and containing more minerals…good for teeth but not so good for gums. If you don’t have your teeth cleaned regularly to remove the calculus (this varies from person to person), then your gum disease susceptibility increases…you don’t have to have a lot of plaque for this to happen either…it’s not the quantity but quality. Also, gum disease often goes unnoticed by patients because they don’t feel pain with it and can’t see it…its a silent condition, a bit like high cholesterol. If you do have gum disease, because of the chronic inflammation, you are more susceptible to systemic conditions like cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes…and this with have more of an impact on your health than having your teeth cleaned regularly.
I also might add that those with little tartar/calculus often have acidic saliva…not so good for teeth. So it’s not always a good sign.
It’s good to be questioning current practices in any health care setting but it’s also good to keep in mind scientific research/facts and not just solely basing your choices/decisions on people’s opinion/experiences.
Christine Johnson says
No one seems to have a clue what’s in their fillings! Don’t be shocked but “composite resin” = plastic. It contains bisphenol-G, and multiple different chemicals. Some of it also has “continuous release of fluoride.” Composite resin are not “sealed” with a blue light, they’re “cured” so they won’t be soft. They still remain porous and absorb all the bacteria in your mouth, which then release their toxins as long as the filling is in place. Just because mercury fillings are bad doesn’t mean plastic fillings are better. You might feel okay with a few medium-sized plastic fillings in your mouth, but you’ll have a few health problems that you won’t notice are related to them. But like Hg, the more you have, the sicker you’ll be. So-called “biological dentists” are the biggest idiots around because they’re married to plastic and other toxin materials. All I can say is stop eating sugar and find an old guy who only does gold restorations, and have everything done over in gold.
Susan says
I always did have a lot of plaque, even with 3 cleanings a year. But that changed completely when I started eating lots of fermented food! Things like kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut and pickles. My hygienist now barely has anything to do and is just going through the motions. It made me realize how profitable cleanings must be for them. This year I plan on going only once.
Chris Chef says
Adding naturally fermented foods to my diet has drastically reduced the remarkable amount of plaque I was getting on my teeth. I can’t describe how much of my life I have spent in the dentists chair. This ongoing nightmare all came to an end a few years ago when I started taking super-mega doses of Vitamin D3, in the form of something called D drops. Where 1 drop a day is recomended I was taking up to between 10 and 20, for weeks at a time. No more cavities on a monthly basis. I also began adding more and more hig quality animal protein to my diet like eggs, butter, beef, milk, cream and yogurt. I figure my diet changed the quality and type of my oral chemistry, which in turn facilitated a ‘friendlier’ type of saliva better able to protect the surface of my teeth. The many dentists I went to see about my complex and extensive history of dental cavities were utterly useless in providing any wisdom, insight or help, beyond their “dril & fill” regimen.
Jane britton says
I had terrible recurrent UTI in the early days of my marriage.
My husband had terrible gum disease and not a single cavity.
The dentist said, the bacteria that cause gum disease are different to those that cause cavities.
He added Asian counties have gum disease, western have cavities.
This could be genetic OR diet and/or the type of bacteria one cultivates within.
I’ll leave it to the discerning reader to guess the link to my UTI!
My dr said my theory was entirely plausible. We removed this activity, my issue abated. We added it back in, I would be unwell!
Amy says
There is no genetic component or ” inherited bad teeth or gums”. Tooth decay and periodontal disease come from the bacteria in an individual’s mouth. It extremely simple, the bacteria in your mouth metabolize carbohydrates which in turn produce acid and enzymes which cause tooth decay and destruction of the adjacent structures ( gingiva, alveolar bone), if not removed by proper brushing and flossing. Of course someone could need professional cleanings less than every 6 months if their oral hygiene if impeccable . However in my 30 years practicing as a licensed dental professional, I have rarely if ever seen a patient with this type of homecare regimen. Dental caries CANNOT be healed . Once decay enters the dentin the process in irreversible and must be treated by a dentist or the decay will eventually travel to pulp chamber of the tooth, which will then require root canal therapy or extraction of the tooth.
DJ says
Amy, my husbands oral hygiene is far from “impeccable” yet he goes to the dentist only every 5 years or so and has NO problems, ever, whereas my hygiene is quite impeccable and i DO get plaque and have to have my teeth cleaned every six months. My children do a very mediocre job with their hygiene yet have never had a cavity and have little plaque. i respectfully disagree that there is NO genetic component to it.
Rebecca c. says
i am a dental hygienist and will be the first to admit that not every single person I see absolutely should come in every 6 months. I have definitely had people come in that hadn’t in years and I had no complaints for them. On the other hand, I have seen so many people with problems that could be prevented with a simple cleaning and checkup every 6 months. So yes genetics I believe plays a big role as well as your devotion at home. Fortunately I work for a dentist that is not a liar or money hungry person. He’s very good at just telling you what you need because you actually do need it and he’s not recommending all kinds of expensive treatment or taking advantage of patients who don’t know any better than to just do as he says. There are more greedy quacks out there than there are good honest dentists. So I don’t blame anyone for skipping out or being scared of going in!
Rhianna says
I certainly have had very little build-up on my teeth since being on a real food diet.
I had my teeth cleaned after a five year lapse in any dental care. The hygienist was dreading this cleaning because she thought it would be difficult and lengthy because of this time lapse. However, it went very quickly and she expressed her surprise over the ease of this cleaning despite a five year lapse.
However, this past year, I needed two extractions, one of which was an old root canal and the other an infected tooth that was causing me pain for years, as well as cavitation surgery for the four wisdom teeth extraction sites. Despite an awful and lengthy recovery, I am feeling much better than I did before. Let’s hope this is last dental work I need for years and years.
I don’t understand why the build-up on my teeth is minimal yet the underlying health of my jaw and teeth is not as good. I have been on GAPS for almost 2 1/2 years and am hoping that gut healing with help with this. Ironically, I needed to clean up my mouth so that my gut and immunity could heal.
stevie says
I have always been known for having extremely white teeth, the thing I’ve been most complimented on in life. However, regretfully I decided to involve myself of a free teeth cleaning offered to the public. A few months later I have had problems with yellowing, especially when I drink grape juice or dark colored drinks. I never had this problem previously. Ive been told that the cleaning removed my enamel and its probably the dentin showing. Im not sure. But in any case, do you have any advice. I’m extremely disappointed. Please Help!!
Manjitsingh Bhalla says
Certainly, it is a true recommended dentist’s visits that if performed within the suitable numbers will leave good effects on an oral health; there is also a natural way out for some dental problems like cavities that can be healed with some preventive and organic steps. Teeth health with no more problems like plaque deposition or sort of filth on is all the way fine to be left like it is; should only be cared with better oral hygiene; making sure there are no actual threats formed in oral area; isn’t it an advice one would ever seek from their dentist?
E says
I have always had good teeth despite a bad diet and never had a cavity. A few years ago I did GAPS, improved my diet, started oil pulling, switched to fluoride free tooth paste, and stopped going to the dentist. I just went to the dentist recently for some tooth pain and I have 6(!!!) cavities. Diet’s certainly not everything.
Vikki K says
My children (8 and 10) have been to the dentist once in their lives. Both had perfect teeth. Now that the adult teeth are coming in, my oldest has an overbite that means I have to keep reminding him to close his lips, and of course his mouth stays open all night while he is asleep, making him snore!… But as we are living in Chile at the moment, I’m reluctant to do braces or plates, even though I want to do *something* before his bone structure is finished forming… I guess we will try to find cod liver oil, but we haven’t been able to find any raw dairy so far.
Cynthia says
I 100% agree that plaque build up has a genetic subseptibility. I’ve never had a cavity, but I have to have my teeth cleaned every 4 months and I have a wonderful dentist…and I avoid the SAD and consume a largely paleo diet with my family and have seen no difference in plaque. Going off oral contraceptives years ago made a huge difference in gum tissue, but overall I think I’m just genetically programmed this way. Not all people can safely avoid the dentist and have healthy teeth, mouth and gums 🙂
Kristal Sweet-Kyle via Facebook says
I don’t use any fluoride but honestly never thought about what was in my fillings once they started using the white stuff.
Amy Stafford via Facebook says
I asked our new dentist what the white fillings were made of, since they were offering a choice for my oldest daughter’s filling. No one in the office knew. I told them I’d Google it, then, and let them know when we returned for the filling which kind we wanted. The receptionist got a very weird look on her face, and told me to be very careful when looking online, and only to look at the ADA website, because there are lots of “kooks” online writing all kinds of misinformation about fillings. I thought it was pretty misinformed for an entire practice to be unaware of what they were putting in people’s mouths!
KitchenKop says
Yes, I’ve found that too, anytime I tell a “professional” that I’m going to do some research, they always feel the need to inform me which sites they suggest in order to find the proper advice. Of course it’s always their politically correct, mainstream, conventional sites that have kept so many sick for decades now. And like you said, they didn’t even know what was IN their fillings, that shows how much research THEY do! They’re all a bunch of sheeple, blindly following misguided and out-dated information. It’s sad, but I used to be the same way!
Megan Loukota via Facebook says
White fillings are a resin based composite/plastic filling sealed with a blue light. Glass ionomer fillings have slow release fluoride.
KitchenKop says
Slow release Fluoride. No thanks! Here’s my post on Fluoride: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/dental-fluorosis-look-what-i-did-to-our-son.html
Rachel says
Just went for a cleaning. They suggested I get my old cavities replaced. What are the options? I asked. As I called the dark ones, “mercury fillings” they conquered and said mercury and white. What is in the white ones? He sheepishly replied, “fluoride and the other is a plastic composite”. Wow!!! Have you heard of this??? Fluoride as a filling??????????????????
KitchenKop says
Wow, no, I’ve never heard that one, and Fl is bad enough, but also PLASTIC? Who wants plastic in their mouth 24/7??
I’ll ask around on FB and see if anyone has heard this…
Kelly
Joanna says
You need to really research safe amalgam removal or you could have a host of health problems on your hands. Look at the work of Hal Huggins and Andrew Cutler. Just because a dentist says they can do it doesn’t mean they know how to do it properly. It’s hazmat!
Liz Mace says
Hi again
Meant to comment that we all take skate and cod liver oil daily.That is a must.
Liz Mace says
Hi Kelly
I read your posts everyday and thought I’d comment here.
My family and I have been eating WAPF for the last seven or eight years. I have taken my kids to so-called holistic dentists who wanted to suggest braces and root canals so quite frankly I’ve stayed away. My oldest son has all wisdom teeth and a complete set of adult teeth already. So far no braces for him. He has no crowding. My middle child has teeth crowding but just cannot afford treatment for her at this point. Neither my husband and I have dental insurance. My last child who was born 7 years ago and who had a WAPF diet from young is fearing better than my middle daughter in terms of his teeth coming in. His teeth are not as crowded. All of us so far are cavity-free but not plaque free (I get a lot of plaque and so does my youngest child.
What I would remind your readers is the Vitamin K issue. Vitamin K is very necessary in order to widen the jaw. Liver has it and also the raw dairy. With my oldest son I gave him tons of raw grass-fed dairy from a co-op I frequented. My daughter hates raw butter but will drink raw dairy. My youngest son now I am really trying to get as much raw butter into him as possible. So there is hope. Everyone in the house consumes raw dairy in some form. Also good teeth need lots of magnesium so broth everyday is a must.Remember by the time children reach the age of 17 their bone structure and development is complete so anytime before that time there is still hope for your children to have straight teeth.
My oldest child adopted a WAPF diet at age six and now has healthy straight teeth so I know it can be done!
Good luck to you all
KitchenKop says
This is a great reminder for all of us, myself included, thanks Liz!
Kelly
Amanda Y says
I think there is a lot of great things we can do, as mentioned, but I would say you have to factor in the plaque/soft enamel genetic piece! My poor husband does everything right, barring the occasional sweet tea, and still struggles with cavities and weakened enamel. FCLO, oil pulling, plus brushing 1-2 times a day and flossing plus a water pik have helped tons, but it’s a drastic intense routine–not just diet, to make up for harsh genetics.
Tina Thorson via Facebook says
If I don’t go every six months, I get cavities.
Susan Butler Waibel via Facebook says
I went last year for the first time in 12 years. They were amazed by the health of my teeth and gums and eager to hear about my diet 🙂 I brought my kids in 6 months later and they all remembered me: “THAT’s the woman with great teeth after 12 years!” (Also – I did have a small cavity drilled when in high school. The porcelain filling long since fell out and my body remineralized the hole. No dentist – even with X-ray can identify where the cavity was. I also had gum disease on a whole foods – but lower fat diet in my 20’s. Now eating WAPF? No issues.)
Cassie says
Holy cow. That’s amazing! Makes me want to go drink a gallon of raw milk STAT. lol! 🙂
Sheri Puckette via Facebook says
I hate, hate getting my teeth cleaned. So have stopped making appointments. This makes me feel better! If I had problem teeth I might go more- but I’ve made it 50+ years without a single cavity so not too worried.
Kris Bell Slager via Facebook says
Love this article! I believe every individual should go as they feel they need to. I, personally, don’t get plaque and I go maybe every 5 years just to make sure nothing is going on that I can’t see. My husband, on the other hand, needs to go at least once a year and preferably more often because he is genetically prone to very bad plaque build up. My kids haven’t gone at all. 😀 I guess I look at dentistry like I do the doctor – only go if you need help beyond what you can handle yourself.
Dalana Cooper Squires via Facebook says
I took my boys to the dentist for the first time a few months ago. Ages 15 and 13. They told me my 15 yr old had the best teeth they’ve seen, and the hygienist told my 13 yr old, that he was her first teen that they didn’t recommend flossing. (He has space between. every. tooth.). They had no cavities, and no build up. 15 years and 13 years…what do you know! Because I believe not sanding your enamel off every six months is a good thing!
Cassie says
Oh my! I didn’t think of it that way (“Sanding your enamel off every six months…”) I skipped the dentist from age 17 or so to age 23 or 24 (it was about 5 years or maybe more between a check up!) and the holistic dentist said “Dang, your enamel is spectacular!” It makes sense now because I had just started eating real food maybe a year before…not much longer than that…and hadn’t been to the dentist in over 5 years. (I’m giving credit to the enamel not being sanded off, not the real food diet) I’m totally going to prolong the next visit now. I have a 10 month old baby that I’m terrified to bring to the dentist someday. Maybe I’ll wait until he’s a teenager like you, Dalana? 😉 I’m all up for that!!!
Jenn Wolf via Facebook says
When I start feeling guilty about it. I think I’ve been about 10 times in 43 years. Thank god for solid Norwegian farm stock and hippie parents?
Nancy Gardner via Facebook says
Oil pulling has really helped with the plaque in my teeth
Lynn Tarasek Minney via Facebook says
every 6 mos. i get a lot of tartar on my front teeth.
Jennifer says
Try dry-brushing which really means without toothpaste. Use the tip of your toothbrush to brush the inside of your front teeth. When everything feels ‘glassy-smooth’ then go back with toothpaste if you want. If you do this daily or twice daily (tartar takes about 20 hours to start calcifying) you will have little to no tartar for your hygienist to scale. The strong flavored toothpastes numbs your tongue just enough that you don’t feel the little bit you’re leaving behind each time you brush. And as far as flossing goes you need to do it as often as it takes to keep your tissue healthy. That is NO BLEEDING. Bleeding is inflammation and isn’t limited to your mouth. If you have inflammation in your mouth you have it in the rest of your body too. Every body is different. Pay attention to yours!
Jennifer says
Thanks for sharing my story Kelly!
I wonder about the genetic component and how much it plays into our dental health. For some reason, I got a “good” set of teeth like my dad has (no cavities, fairly straight teeth), while 4 of my 5 siblings have a mouth full of fillings like my mom. She grew up eating what we’d consider a SAD diet – lots of junk food and candy, even in the late 40’s. She changed her eating pretty radically when she married: I grew up drinking raw milk, eating homemade yogurt and bread, and everything on our table was made from ingredients (nothing pre-made or pre-packaged beyond the occasional frozen vegetable). We had a huge garden. My mom was feeding us Weston A Price style before I even knew what it was!
Unfortunately, my younger siblings came along almost a decade after my older brother and I, and by then mom was working 30-40 hours a week teaching private lessons as well as homeschooling us, and gradually things like Country Crock, Velveeta and bagged bread appeared in our refrigerator and canned “cream of ____ soup” casseroles replaced the traditional meat-veggie-veggie-salad meals I’d grown up eating. My younger siblings definitely had a different diet than I grew up on! And despite my teen and early adult years where I lived on nothing BUT processed food, I still have no dental health issues.
My next-younger sister eats probably better than we do, and has for longer than we have. The only dietary difference I can pinpoint is that she is dairy intolerant and doesn’t want to invest in raw dairy to see if she can tolerate it, so does not consume any dairy at all. She definitely grew up eating worse than I did, but has eaten very well for the last 20 or so years. But she is one who has to brush and floss after every meal – and then some – and she still has problems with plaque build-up. She is one that already has a mouth full of amalgam fillings, so I wonder if just having the fillings is part of the problem? Definitely a complex issue that can’t be entirely solved by diet, I guess. We all have different histories and genetics, and probably even different ideas of what constitutes “good” eating within this smaller community of like-minded people. Like anything else, dental health is going to be a “YMMV” (your mileage may vary) issue.
I also want to point out that my kids do, unfortunately, have a LOT of crowding. (Ramiel Nagel needs to write a follow-up: “Solve Dental Overcrowding Naturally and Quickly”). Having read Nutrition and Physical Degeneration multiple times, it seems to me that is most likely an issue that may only be corrected over the span of multiple generations eating the right way. My oldest has already gone the braces route (before we knew to even look for anything different), and we’re most likely going to have to do something about his wisdom teeth very soon, as they’re aggressively coming in sideways and beginning to twist the molars in front of them and push his teeth back out of place. Looking at my daughters’ teeth, they’re going to be facing similar problems. I’ve been researching other options, so if you have any input or ideas on avoiding braces, I’d love to hear about them. Somehow, it’s hard to believe that sticking a BPA-leeching plastic appliance in their mouths for 12+ hours every day is better than artificial straightening. If it were simply a cosmetic (the “my teeth aren’t perfectly straight”) issue, I wouldn’t even worry about it, but it’s significant bite problems as well, so I can’t just leave it. Thoughts?
KitchenKop says
Jennifer,
I also wish Rami would write that book!
My kids all have crowding too, and it seems like there was a guy in CA who did some other type of method for changing jaw structure (I’m fuzzy on it now but he spoke at a WAPF conference one year) but it was probably expensive & obviously too far for us.
We eat far from perfect around here but I do wonder if like you said, maybe generations before make more of a difference than we know.
Kelly p.s. I looooove our orthodontist. He’s from our hometown, goes to our church, and is totally okay with how I refuse almost all x-Rays, plus he’s just the neatest guy.
Trina Holden says
The book Deep Nutrition gives hope that we can change genetics within one generation with epigenics, turning on the right genes with proper nutrition.
I think birth order and the mother’s health has a lot to do with teeth strength and palette width. I’m one of seven children. The younger kids have cavities and needed braces. My older brother and I haven’t had either.
I haven’t had a cleaning in ten years. Oil pulling caused plaque to fall of my teeth in chunks, they’re way cleaner than when I used to go to the dentist.
We also healed my husband’s cavity with oil pulling and a WAPF diet (story on my blog). It really does work!
I love that you’re continuing to post about alternative dental care, Kelly — you helped us start our journey three years ago now!
Alina says
Maybe look into finding a dentist that uses A.L.F. appliance. The dentist that developed it is from California I think. The cost of getting this appliance is comparable to getting braces but is much less painful. My 6year old daughter just got hers( we are hoping it helps her with her extreme teeth grinding at night, she has no teeth crowding yet).
Ann says
Great article, Kelly! Well, my hubby & the kids & I go for cleanings every six months, but we go to a holistic, mercury free dentist. She doesn’t use any fluoride on us & I never allow any x-rays on any of us, unless there’s an issue, which there never is! We left our last conventional dentist when I told them we only wanted fluoride-free cleanings & the receptionist read me the riot act about how I don’t know how to care for my children & how I would not be able to go without more than one fluoride treatment a year or we would have to leave their practice! So, we just left right then & there! No cavities yet & the kids are 8 & 9!
Cecilia Long says
There is an important benefit to having an xray done at least every couple of years in kids whose mouths are changing. Even adults whose mouths change. No one like or wants to think about it, but dental xrays are very important and vital in determining identity from accidents or murder.
We dont want to stop and think that something may happen to us or one of ours, but then who plans to be in accidents or at the wrong end of a maniac.
And I agree with one of the above posters that I dont believe it is all real food. Myself and several other people I know eat real food diets such as the author stated and still have build up.
DJ says
I absolutely believe the plaque build up thing is VERY much rooted in genetics. I brush twice a day faithfully and floss every night, and I always have plaque build up and MUST go for a cleaning every 6 months (and I have a very clean and healthy diet!) My husband on the other hand brushes once a day, rarely flosses, and goes to the dentist about every 5 years and he never has any plaque or cavities. Luckily for our 2 kids they inherited hubby’s oral genes because neither of them has ever had a cavity. That fact causes them to be lax about brushing and flossing, and that’s not a good thing because both of them had a little bit of bleeding in the gums last check up so the hygienist gave them a talking to about flossing. It’s not just about cavities, gum health is important too. We all pretty much eat the same diet at our house, so go figure.
Lyn says
Glad to see someone has the same problem. I do everything to maintain a healthy body and my husband does nothing. I get lectured every time I go to a dentist about not flossing, they treat me like a liar when I tell them I usually floss twice a day. I am 66 have 31 teeth and the ONLY health problem I have is plaque and bleeding gums. My daughter did switch to a holistic dentist and I might try him but he is twice as expensive as a regular dentist.
Wendy says
I’m convinced that the secret to living cavity-free is in the saliva. I used to have a very healthy mouth — absolutely no cavities whatsoever for the first 28 years of my life. But after my first child was born, I had postpartum depression and my doctor prescribed an antidepressant. The side-effect of that drug was dry mouth. Less than six months later, I had my first cavity. I developed 5 cavities in 3 years! As soon as I went off the anti-depressants, my salivation levels gradually returned to normal and I’ve only had one cavity since.
Seriously — the secret is in the spit.
Pam T. says
Also, after you have a child, your nutritional reserves are more depleted and take time to build back up. Drugs also are known to draw things from your body. Drug Muggers by Suzy Cohen RPh is a good one.
Julie says
We eat real food, brush our teeth with non-flouride toothpaste, go to the dentist once a year, etc. and still have plaque build-up. My kids don’t get a lot of cavities but they do get some. I don’t think just eating real food does the trick for all of us.
Jenny says
Haven’t had a cleaning in 5 years since I was fired from my dentist when I questioned him about statements and charges made to me and insurance company which led to my then queston on the possibility of fraud. Ummmm, doesn’t go over well. Husbands dentist wants to give him a root canal which will happen over my dead body! So he hasn’t been back either. My teeth normally don’t have much plaque but my husbands does. I’ve decided diet and fats are vital but I also believe our gut bacteria balance and health along with enzymes are just as vital. I have had cavities disappear and even my husband is having no trouble with the supposedly dead tooth that still will have a twinge if bit down on wrong. We think his bite is off since he still had his wisdom teeth. I don’t know when we will go back to the dentist. Probably off we have problems. Had more problems when we went to a dentist twice a year. That tells me bunches about the preventative aspect of yearly cleanings.
Lisa says
Find a biological dentist! We love ours. They still do root canals, but are very understanding when you raise concerns, and are never pressured. No fluoride either! The Weston Price Journal is in the waiting room, and the toothpaste sample they give after cleanings is Kiss My Face brand.