Fluorosis

Hi, Dr. Ellie,
I have been trying the system for some time now and I have noticed a gradual yellowing of my teeth. I did a little research and I am concerned that the ACT I am using is causing fluorosis. Is this normal? I don't want yellow teeth!
Thanks,
H

Hi H


I am going to assume that " trying the system" means you're using exactly the products that I recommend -- with exactly the method I recommend.

I often refer to this as a recipe, and changing ingredients or methods will affect the outcome!!

I am also assuming you have sufficient xylitol -- at least five exposures to xylitol during the day, everyday - preferably after meals.

The second thing that you mentioned is you have been using the system "for some time". I wonder if you mean days, weeks, or years. I will assume you have been using the system for months, and have been using it exactly as described.

The color of teeth.
Don't be fooled that teeth resemble little rocks, or ceramic pebbles in your mouth. It is better to imagine teeth as they really are -- a soft, yellowish-colored interior that contains cells -- and is alive. This delicate center of your tooth is covered with a clear, translucent, glass covering - we call enamel. This outer shell protects the inside of your tooth -- and the covering shell has no color. (Imagine a window - you see no color -- nothing -- just what is the other side).

So how does a tooth look white?
It is all about reflection of light off the surface. If glass is soft, rays of light travel through it -- and you see the yellowish color underneath. If this glass covering is strong and hard ( because it contains lots of minerals) then light rays will bounce off its surface. When light bounces off the surface of your tooth it will behave like a diamond - reflecting in many directions. This makes your tooth sparkle and appear white -- naturally.

Acidity and dry mouth
Acidity, and mouth dryness, are the two reasons that teeth look darker and more yellow. So anyone that tells me their teeth are getting darker are giving me information --that their teeth are being dissolved in acidity, or that their mouth is drier than usual. The acidity that dissolves teeth can be from your diet, soda, citrus or fruit ( acidic) drinks -- particularly lemonade, sports drinks, etc. Look closely at your summertime diet - particularly drinks. Are you sipping something acidic during the day -- or worse yet during the night?
Protect teeth with Xylitol - all day
The answer to acidity is protecting your teeth with xylitol. I have a friend who likes to eat grapefruits and lemons. She had ruined many teeth before she met me, but now she still enjoys grapefruit -- she just eats a fruit Zellie to protect her teeth immediately after the acidic attack. You see, xylitol is able to take away acidity, and help put minerals into the tooth surface -- to make it stronger.
Xylitol and ACT work together
It is also important to allow the final rinse --ACT -- to work on your teeth. The dilute fluoride in this rinse helps put minerals into teeth faster than any other way. The combination of using xylitol during the day and these mouth rinses at night will help mineralize, strengthen, and brighten your teeth.

The more you damage your teeth with acidity -- the more xylitol help you need!! The outcome is the balance between softening 9 by acidity ) and hardening ( with ACT and xylitol).

I hope I have explained this -- it is such an important piece of information. The marketing companies want you to see teeth in a different way. They want you to purchase whitening products.

Most of them are acidic, which is ironic!! The whitening products etch the outside of the glass and make your teeth "appear" whiter -- but of course your teeth will be softer, and look yellower in the end! Then of course, you'll need more whitening!
How long does my system take two whiten teeth? It does take some time. Mark eight weeks from now on your calendar.Stop peering at your teeth during this time!

Then check -- making sure you look at your teeth in daylight, and not fluorescent lights. Fluorescent lights will always make tooth enamel looked yellow -- that's another trick to make you buy whitening!


Hope this helps,

Best Wishes,
Ellie
Ellie Phillips DDS
www.CleanWhiteTeeth.com
http://www.zellies.com/
Dental Health for Everyone!
Author, Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye
26 Corporate Woods, Rochester NY 14623
585-272-1270
585-272-0705 (Fax)

Stevia vs. Xylitol

Hi Dr. Ellie,

I find that I am sensitive to Xylitol in that it can cause me diarrhea sometimes. What do you think of gum sweetened with stevia?

Thanks and regards,

S

Hi S:

Thanks for your message, and I appreciate your concern.

When people tell me they are sensitive to xylitol, my first question would be, "what kind of xylitol are you using?" I do not believe all xylitol is created exactly equal.

The effects of xylitol are good, no matter how it is consumed. This means you can eat Zellies mints, chewing gum, or granular xylitol and have benefits. On the other hand, I have discovered people who were sensitive to one BRAND of xylitol, but not Zellies.

Other people who appear sensitive to xylitol, are often nervous of xylitol.
Don't be afraid of xylitol -- Native Americans believed that birch trees were God's gift to man!

Xylitol appears to have many general health benefits and the amount necessary for oral health is tiny -- 1 teaspoon a day! It is extremely rare to find sensitivity at such a low amount -- even in small children.

I would look closely at the type of xylitol you are eating, and ensure that it is not a mix of sorbitol with xylitol. Sorbitol has sensitivity effects for many people at extremely low doses.

Truly, if you are eating Zellies gum and finding it upsets your stomach, my recommendation would be to start more slowly. Take a month to go from two pieces of gum a day to five pieces a day.

Make a plan -- week by week on your calendar -- add it slowly into your diet.
Xylitol behaves like fiber; and if you are not used to fiber, things will be different.

Stevia is popular in health food stores. I really do not have a reason to support Stevia, one way or the other. As far as I am aware it has no dental benefits, and although it may be sugarless, I think it may have a high G. I . ( glycemic index) -- which makes it a less healthy . Don't quote me on this -- I'm not a Stevia expert!

Thanks again for your message,
For oral health, I continue to suggest a little xylitol regularly, frequently, and in addition to my complete mouth care system!

Best wishes,
Ellie

www.zellies.com
26 Corporate Woods
Rochester, NY 14623

Xylitol and Dogs

It is important to know that xylitol can be dangerous to dogs. Keep your xylitol mints and gum away from your pets--all too often curious dogs get into a purse, or bag and are poisoned by well-meaning, or forgetful owners...also, there are other foods that are not healthy for dogs - chocolate, raisins and grapes for example.

Some good information about the effects of xylitol on dogs can be found here: