How I Care For My Teeth, Mouth and Gums The Crunchy Way

I have had a lot of issues with my teeth throughout the years.

When I was 14 I got a crown put on a tooth that I had to have a root canal on. (The cause of the root canal was just that my tooth was rotting away from the inside out -- it was not due to improper care, but looking back now I realize it probably was due to lack of necessary nutrients).
 

I remember eating a very chewy caramel candy at a friends house, and then that crown came off. I didn't know what to do so I just put it back on and bit down, hoping it would stay in place. It did. But not after all that contamination from my mouth got beneath the crown. What a crazy idiot (err, teenager) I was! I should have gone back to the dentist and had him clean and sterilize the area and re-bond the crown back on.

Oh well. Live and learn, right?

 So... years go by. My tooth slowly decays as a result of the exposure to that sticky caramel candy... which tasted good at the time but totally not worth all that it would put me through in the coming years. Around age 19/20 I start to have REAL problems. I go back to the dentist and he says there is no way to save that tooth -- that we have to pull it.

So we do.

To fill the gap I had to choose between a bridge and an implant. I chose an implant because that didn't ruin the perfectly good teeth next to it like a bridge would. I wish now that I had chosen differently. The implant was a horror story in and of itself. I went to a maxillofacial surgeon and he explained all about the 2-step process... first drill a hole in my jaw, and put a screw in. Then let that heal.

The next step would be to put a post in, and then get a fake tooth crown to screw onto that post. Except it didn't work that way. My jaw didn't heal and it didn't look good. I got to be the topic of discussion at one of those dental conventions that they go to each year. Finally the recommendation by all those good dentists was to do a gingival graft. They would cut open the roof of my mouth, and get some connective tissue out. They would graft that connective tissue to my lower jaw bone where it wasn't healing properly. So that is what they did. And it finally healed. I got the rest of the implant done.

And I went on my merry way. But... I have a metallic taste in my mouth all the time now in that area. The screw is made from titanium. I don't have any mercury fillings or anything else metal in my mouth, but that metallic taste will not go away. So that worries me. And I am extra vigilant now about taking care of my mouth.

I always brushed... at least 2x a day if not more. I hate the taste of my mouth when it isn't clean. I can't sleep at night without brushing my teeth. Seriously, I think maybe there have been less than 5 days in my adult life where I didn't brush my teeth before bed. I am 38 now so that is more than 20 years!

So, I have found a regiment that works for me, and I want to share it with you.

When I first wake up in the morning I take my thyroid medication. I can't eat for an hour after this, so I wait about 45 minutes and then get a teaspoon of coconut oil and put 3 drops of essential oil on it (I don't like to name brands but it is similar to the Four Thieves Blend). Then, I swish it around my mouth and through my teeth for 15 minutes. It is VERY refreshing and feels awesome. My mouth feels clean the rest of the day as a result, and my teeth are so smooth. Some people claim it helps to whiten teeth, but I have pretty white teeth overall, and so I really don't notice a difference.

 I make my own toothpaste. I use bentonite clay, Himalayan pink salt, hot water, stevia and essential oils (I usually use peppermint but sometimes I make a batch of cinnamon and cloves). I don't follow a specific recipe but just make it to my taste and desired consistency.

I love to floss as well. Because I have the implant, food often gets stuck under that tooth and that is something I cannot stand. So I floss frequently. Sometimes 3x a day if required.

Even though I have pretty white teeth, sometimes they do seem a little dull. So that is where activated charcoal comes in. If you have never heard of this before, or have never tried it, you HAVE to try it to believe it. It is AMAZNG. There are so many wonderful uses for activated charcoal (the most important one is that of neutralizing poisons). A couple times a month I put some activated charcoal powder on my toothpaste (it is black and makes a HUGE MESS). It looks scary because it is so pitch black. But it works great. So you will want to brush your teeth with this. It attracts anything that stains your teeth and pulls it off your teeth. It works about a million times better than baking soda and peroxide.

 I don't use mouthwash because of all the bad chemicals in it. But when I need a breath freshener, I will use a few drops of peppermint essential oil and swish it around in my mouth with my saliva, and then spit it out. Essential oils should very rarely be taken internally, and one drop of peppermint essential oil is equivalent to 75 cups of peppermint tea. I don't think it is a good idea to ingest. I know some is getting into my system from the lining in my mouth, but a small portion of 1 small drop of peppermint oil is all I am willing to allow.

 And last of all, for the health of my mouth and overall, I take fermented cod liver oil every day. Because it is hard for me to swallow gross things, I take it in capsule form. It is more expensive that way, but worth it to me. That is one thing that I have read works to improve the health of your teeth via supplementing. I have read articles that have before and after pictures of horrible teeth, and after doing some of these same protocols, have their teeth do a total about face and become healthy without any dentist intervention.

Since many people don't have dental insurance or don't go to get their teeth cleaned religiously, these methods may help you save money, save your teeth and save your health.


About Me: Hi! I am Rebecca :) I am the owner of Purify Your Body Detox Foot Pads. I love natural health and wellness, and I love to eat real food. :) 

I love my family, and my pets. I actually love all animals -- they are much nicer than most humans! I don't watch TV and haven't watched a movie in the theater for more than 6 months. I would much rather read a book!

I love to garden and make homemade products -- body butter, toothpaste, perfume, cheese, yogurt, etc. It tastes better when it's made from scratch!  Contact me here

Natural Remedies for RA

Natural Remedies for RA

By Leslie Vandever, a guest blogger

Rheumatoid arthritis is not your grandma’s arthritis.

Hers was probably osteoarthritis (OA), the type that breaks down the joint cartilage and the joint itself over time. It’s best known as the “wear-and-tear” arthritis. OA’s onset is usually during middle-age, but it’s associated more generally with the gray-haired set. It causes pain, swelling, and sometimes, loss of function in the affected joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), on the other hand, is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakes its own tissues for foreign invaders, like viruses or bacteria. It responds the way it’s supposed to: it attacks and tries to destroy them. RA mainly attacks the synovial capsule that protects the joints, but it can also affect the cartilage,   ligaments, and other soft tissues, like the heart, the lungs, the eyes and even the veins. Anyone, of any age—even small children—can get RA. It causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and disability. There is no cure.

If you are seeking medical remedies for RA there are the powerful medications prescribed by rheumatologists. These include non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS), and the new biologic DMARDs. None of these drugs can cure RA. Instead, they treat inflammation and pain, and slow the progress of the disease.

All that said, there are a number of natural, or complementary, treatments for RA. They include mind and body practices, such as:

·        Acupuncture: This ancient Chinese healing practice involves the insertion of hair-thin needles into the skin to correct and redirect the flow of “chi,” or life force, in the body. Some people have reported pain relief, along with an overall sense of well-being from acupuncture.

·        Tai Chi: This is a practice in Chinese traditional medicine that uses slow, gentle movements along with controlled breathing and meditation to improve physical function, balance and concentration, and reduce and relieve stress.

·        Mindfulness Meditation: This is a simple form of meditation that keeps the mind focused in the “present moment,” gently pushing away busy thoughts and distractions and, with practice, reducing and relieving stress. Mindfulness meditation can also gently distract the mind from pain and the distress it causes, allowing the practitioner to relax and rest.
·        Detox Foot Pads: The detox foot pads can help pull the toxins out of your body, allowing your body to focus its attention on healing.

Although no dietary supplements have shown clear benefits for RA,  preliminary studies have shown that a few of them may be helpful. They include:

·        Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, substances that the body needs to perform a number of vital functions. Clinical trials have shown that fish oil may have an anti-inflammatory affect, helping to relieve tender joints and morning stiffness. However, fish oil may also make blood clot more slowly, so people who take anticoagulant medications should talk with their doctor before taking fish oil supplements.

·        Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fatty acid that studies have shown may reduce inflammation, relieving joint pain and stiffness. It’s found in some plant seeds, including evening primrose, borage and black currant.

·         Ginger and turmeric have been shown in animal studies to have some properties which may help with the inflammation and pain RA causes.

·        Green tea also has substances in it that may help with RA, but studies haven’t been done on people haven’t been done.

Other natural treatments for RA include the use of warm and cold packs on the joints, compression gloves on the hands, and splints to protect and support flared, painful joints. Eating a healthy diet of fresh vegetables and fruit, lean protein and dairy, and whole grain breads and cereals can also be helpful in maintaining a healthy weight. Some foods have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect, as well. Information on other health issues is available here.

Note: Always check with your doctor before taking any natural supplement. They can interact or interfere with other medications you may be taking.

Leslie Vandever is a professional journalist and freelance writer. Under the pen-name “Wren,” she also writes a blog about living well with rheumatoid arthritis called RheumaBlog (www.rheumablog.wordpress.com). In her spare time, Vandever enjoys cooking, reading and working on the Great American Novel.

References:

·        Rheumatoid Arthritis and Complimentary Health Approaches. (2013, Aug. 22) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved on February 12, 2014 from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/RA/getthefacts.htm

·        Herbal Remedies, Supplements and Acupuncture for Rheumatoid Arthritis. (2012, May) American College of Rheumatology. Retrieved on February 14, 2014 from http://www.rheumatology.org/Practice/Clinical/Patients/Diseases_And_Conditions/Herbal_Remedies,_Supplements_and_Acupuncture_for_Arthritis/

Using Coconut Oil for Weight Loss? Does It Really Work?

I have thyroid and adrenal issues. As a result, I also a little more weight around my midsection than I would like. While I am not overweight, I do believe that my thyroid issues (which are getting better, thankfully!) have had something to do with this. Undetected for so many years, it was very frustrating when I was doing everything right and not losing a pound. And with my adrenal issues, they were shooting out excess cortisol -- AT NIGHT! -- so my body was constantly in "alert" mode instead of resting like it should be. (I took the 4x diurnal saliva cortisol test to get diagnosed).

 

So, everyone talks about coconut oil being a miraculous weight aid. The medium chain fatty acids in the coconut oil boost your metabolism. The healthy saturated fat provides satiety so you feel full quicker and for longer. And you don't overeat.

Well. It has been a little over a week now where I have eaten at least 2 Tablespoons of coconut oil in the morning. I want to report back to you after a month and see how things work out. I am hoping it will provide me some more energy, better sleep, and overall better health.

Here in Panama where my kitchen rarely gets to below 85 degrees F, the coconut oil is a liquid oil. It is MUCH easier to take as a liquid than a solid, so I do have that going for me. I will report on how that works in about a month.

I also will be starting a parasite cleanse that I will write about shortly. My detox foot pads unfortunately are not the best at taking out yeasts, fungi and parasites. They do pull out heavy metals, plastic by products, chemicals and toxins which are an overabundance in our bodies. And, they work amazing on children, too!

For a free sample of my detox foot pads, go to: http://www.purifyyourbody.com and visit the Contact Us page -- and send me your mailing address. (For U.S. addresses only).

Or visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/detoxfootpads and message me your mailing address. We have monthly giveaways of free detox foot pads, so be sure to like our page!