Neuroscientist "Toothpaste Is Damaging Your Teeth" How To Take Care of Your Teeth.
Summary
TLDRThis script discusses the true cause of cavities, which is not sugar but the bacteria Streptococcus mutans. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced pH in the mouth for remineralization, the benefits of xylitol, and the negative effects of alcohol, stimulants, and improper oral hygiene practices. It also highlights the role of fluoride in strengthening tooth enamel and the value of regular dental check-ups.
Takeaways
- 🦷 Cavity Formation: Cavities are not caused by specific foods or sugar alone, but by bacteria (strep mutans) that feed on sugar and produce acid, leading to demineralization of the teeth.
- 😷 Streptococcus Mutans: This bacteria is communicable and not innate, meaning it can be passed from person to person and is not present at birth.
- 🍯 Baking Soda Toothpaste: Baking soda and water can serve as an effective natural toothpaste, especially when commercial toothpaste is unavailable.
- 🌡 pH Balance: Maintaining the right pH balance in the mouth supports remineralization and prevents cavities by keeping the environment less acidic.
- 🍋 Acidic Foods: While acidic foods can contribute to a more acidic mouth environment, it's not just about avoiding them but managing the overall acidity over time.
- 🚫 Zero Carbohydrate Diet: A diet devoid of sugars and starches might reduce the opportunity for strep mutans to produce acid, but the bacteria can adapt to other food sources.
- 💧 Fluoride Benefits: Fluoride can replace some of the hydroxyapatite bonds in teeth, making them stronger and more resistant to acid attacks.
- 🍸 Alcohol and Stimulants: Both alcohol and stimulants can negatively affect oral health by disrupting the oral microbiome and increasing acidity in the mouth.
- 🚫 Avoid Mouth Breathing: Stimulants can cause mouth breathing, which dries out the mouth and shifts the oral environment from remineralization to demineralization.
- 🍽️ Intermittent Fasting: Taking breaks from eating and acidic beverages can help maintain a healthier oral pH, supporting tooth remineralization.
- 🪥 Proper Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing regularly with a soft toothbrush and correct technique is crucial for maintaining oral health and preventing gum disease.
Q & A
What is the primary cause of cavities according to the script?
-Cavities are primarily caused by bacteria, specifically Streptococcus mutans (strep mutans), which feeds on sugar and produces acid that demineralizes the tooth, creating cavities.
Is strep mutans a bacteria that we are born with?
-No, strep mutans is not something you are born with; it is a communicable bacteria that can be passed from person to person.
What is a potential homemade toothpaste alternative mentioned in the script?
-Baking soda and water is suggested as a pretty good toothpaste alternative if one chooses not to buy commercial toothpaste.
How does the pH balance of the mouth relate to tooth remineralization?
-Maintaining a balanced pH in the mouth supports remineralization of teeth. An acidic environment can lead to demineralization, thus increasing the risk of cavities.
What is the role of fluoride in tooth health?
-Fluoride can replace some of the hydroxyapatite bonds in teeth, making them super strong and helping to prevent demineralization and cavities.
Why are stimulants like Adderall and Vyvanse considered harmful to oral health?
-Stimulants can disrupt the oral microbiome and alter the pH of saliva, making the mouth more acidic and increasing the risk of cavities. They also encourage mouth breathing, which can dry out the mouth and further contribute to demineralization.
How does smoking affect oral health?
-Smoking is detrimental to oral health because it disrupts the microbiome, alters the pH of saliva, and dries out the mouth, all of which contribute to a demineralization state that is harmful to teeth.
What is the significance of intermittent fasting in relation to oral health?
-Intermittent fasting can create periods where the mouth is not exposed to food or acidic liquids, allowing for the production of saliva that supports remineralization and overall oral health.
What is the recommended brushing technique according to the script?
-It is recommended to use a soft toothbrush and brush gently to avoid disrupting the gum interface. Brushing should be done regularly, ideally after every meal, to break up the biofilm layer and promote oral health.
Why is flossing important and how should it be done correctly?
-Flossing is important to remove plaque between teeth and prevent gum disease. It should be done by gently gliding the floss down the side of the tooth, going slightly under the gum line, using a circular motion, and then lifting up from between the teeth.
What is unique about xylitol as a sweetener and how does it benefit oral health?
-Xylitol is unique because when bacteria like strep mutans consume it, they cannot produce acid that demineralizes teeth. Additionally, xylitol can inhibit the growth and proliferation of strep mutans, reducing the risk of cavities.
Why are most mouthwashes considered harmful to oral health?
-Most mouthwashes, especially those containing alcohol, can deplete components of the mucosal lining of the mouth and disrupt the healthy oral microbiome. It is recommended to use mouthwashes that are not alcohol-based and not strong antiseptic.
What is the recommended frequency for dental check-ups and why?
-Dental check-ups are generally recommended twice a year. While they help with routine cleanings and identifying cavities, they do not remineralize teeth. The focus should be on daily oral health protocols to maintain teeth health.
Outlines
🦷 Understanding Cavity Formation and Prevention
This paragraph discusses the misconception that specific foods, including sugar, directly cause cavities. Instead, it emphasizes that cavities are formed by the action of bacteria, particularly Streptococcus mutans (strep mutans), which feeds on sugar and produces acid that demineralizes teeth. The speaker suggests that maintaining a balanced pH in the mouth through saliva is crucial for remineralization and preventing cavities. They also highlight the role of fluoride in strengthening tooth enamel and the negative impact of alcohol and stimulants on oral health. The paragraph concludes by advising against constant snacking or sipping acidic beverages to allow the mouth to maintain a healthy pH and support tooth remineralization.
🌟 Oral Hygiene Practices and the Benefits of Xylitol
The second paragraph focuses on the importance of proper oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing, and the use of a soft toothbrush to avoid damaging the gum line. It also discusses the benefits of xylitol, a low-calorie sweetener that not only prevents the production of acid by strep mutans but also kills the bacteria, thus reducing the risk of cavities. The speaker recommends using xylitol-based toothpaste and avoiding mouthwashes with alcohol, which can disrupt the oral microbiome. Additionally, the paragraph suggests intermittent fasting or gaps between meals as a way to allow the teeth to remineralize in a less acidic environment.
🏥 Dentist Visits and the Role of High Salt Rinses
The final paragraph addresses the common recommendation of visiting the dentist every six months for routine cleanings. While these cleanings can remove tartar and identify cavities, they do not aid in the remineralization of teeth. The speaker suggests that promoting daily oral health protocols is more beneficial. They also mention the use of a high salt solution as a dental rinse to support the growth of healthy mouth bacteria, but caution against swallowing it. The paragraph concludes by reiterating the importance of daily oral care over relying solely on dental visits.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Streptococcus mutans
💡Remineralization
💡Demineralization
💡pH balance
💡Fluoride
💡Hydroxyapatite
💡Xylitol
💡Intermittent fasting
💡Oral microbiome
💡Baking soda
Highlights
Cavities are not caused by specific foods or sugar alone but by bacteria, specifically Streptococcus mutans, that produce acid from sugar.
Strep mutans is a communicable bacteria that is not innate but acquired, and is common in most people.
Baking soda and water can serve as an effective toothpaste alternative.
Maintaining the pH balance in the mouth is crucial for supporting remineralization and preventing cavities.
Stimulants like Adderall can negatively impact oral health by altering saliva pH and promoting mouth breathing.
Alcohol disrupts the oral microbiome and can lead to a demineralization state in the mouth.
Intermittent fasting or gaps between meals can provide opportunities for teeth remineralization.
Proper brushing and flossing techniques are essential for maintaining oral health.
Xylitol is a unique sweetener that not only inhibits acid production by strep mutans but also kills the bacteria.
Most mouthwashes, especially those with alcohol, are detrimental to oral health due to their disruptive effects on the oral microbiome.
Baking soda is relatively safe for tooth enamel and can be used as a toothpaste substitute.
Hydrogen peroxide should not be used in the oral cavity due to its abrasiveness.
A high salt solution used as a rinse can promote a healthy oral environment for bacteria.
Dentist visits every six months are recommended for cleaning and cavity detection but not for remineralization.
Daily oral health protocols are more effective in remineralizing teeth than routine dental cleanings.
Brushing gums lightly can increase circulation and benefit tooth sensitivity.
Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel by replacing hydroxyapatite bonds, making them more resistant to acid attack.
Transcripts
no specific food not even sugar causes
cavities strep mutans is not something
you're born with it's actually a
communicable bacteria it turns out that
baking soda and water is actually a
pretty good toothpaste if you're not
going to go buy a toothpaste let's talk
about how cavities form as I mentioned
before cavities are literally holes
they're fenestrations as the uh nerds
call them nerds like me if they make it
down to the Denton layer of the tooth
most likely do need to be drilled and
filled and presumably build all of our
goal is to try and keep our teeth in a
state of remineralization by keeping the
pH that is the relative acid alkaline
balance of the mouth such that the
saliva supports remineralization no
specific food not even sugar causes
cavities cavities are caused by bacteria
that feed on sugar that then produce
acid that burrows down through that
degrades that
demineralizes the tooth in this very
focal area that we call a cavity
bacteria while there are several of them
the major one is called streptococus
mutans or what I'll call strep mutans
for short strep mutans is not something
you're born with it's actually a
communicable bacteria that's right you
give it to one another most people in
the world have strep mutans or will get
strep mutans and it lives in the mouth
when there's sugar present it eats it
produces acid the acid produces cavities
taking teeth from a state of
remineralization to demineralization if
your mouth is already in a state that's
more demineralization mode it will
capitalize on that and it will cause
cavities much faster keep in mind that
acidity is bad for the mouth does that
mean that you should never consume a
lemon or drinking water with lemon in it
or carbonated drinks or anything that
has acidic flavor no does that mean that
if you were to have a zero carbohydrate
diet no sugars no starches Etc you would
reduce the opportunity for strep mutans
to consume sugar and release acid Maybe
however most people won't do that and
strep mutans is a very clever maybe even
diabolical bacteria and if you are on a
zeroc carbohydrate zero sugar diet
there's some evidence that strep mutans
will figure out ways to feed on other
components the key is to try and reduce
the amount of strp mutans and reduce the
amount of acid in the mouth those
minerals that form the crystals within
the enamel and some of the deeper layers
of your tooth those crystals form
through a specific type of bond and
those bonds are very strong they're not
indestructible but they're tough to pull
apart and the naturally occurring
mineral that's responsible for the
majority of these Bonds in the enamel
and teeth is called hydroxy appetite
fluoride is a substance that is not a
vitamin it's not a mineral it is not an
essential nutrient but can actually
replace some of the hydroxyapatite bonds
in teeth and actually make those bonds
hyper strong super physiologically
strong when we say alcohol is not good
for oral health and for tooth Health
what we're talking about about is the
disruption that alcohol creates to the
microbiome and the way that it Alters
the pH of your saliva and places the
mouth and the teeth into a
demineralization state the second thing
on the not good for us list for sake of
oral health are stimulants like adderal
viance Etc basically any drug that
increases epinephrine and norepinephrine
adrenaline and noradrenaline or the
other names for those are going to have
a negative effect on oral health why
would stimulants cause such disruption
in oral health well there really two
reasons there's a chemical reason and
there's a mechanical reason the chemical
reason is that stimulants change the pH
of your saliva making the mouth more
acidic which makes strep mutans and
other bacteria more capable of creating
cavities down into the teeth they take
your mouth and your teeth from that
remineralization state to that
demineralization demon mode demon mode
that's a way to remember it's bad demon
mode stimulants encourage mouth
breathing watch a meth addict or watch
somebody who's on a high dose of
stimulant and they tend to mouth breathe
because of the shifts in autonomic
nervous system function they tend to be
mouth breathers so it's the drying of
the mouth that also shifts the mouth
from that remineralization mode to
demineralization mode as long as you're
not speaking as long as you're not
eating try and breathe through your nose
if you're exercising and exercising
really hard like you're running really
hard fine mouth breath smoking
cigarettes and yes also cannabis and yes
vaping does this too it's so funny
anytime I talk about smoking being bad
people like well what about cannabis
then people ask what about vaping vaping
is not as bad as smoking right that's
what they say and the truth is that
vaping is terrible for your oral health
as well is it as bad as smoking probably
not but it's bad for a bunch of other
reasons after you eat anything it's a
good idea to try and clear as much of
that food product from your mouth and no
one's telling you not to eat acidic
Foods it's about limiting the amount of
time that the overall millu of the mouth
is
acidic having a stretch of time of maybe
2 4 6 hours or more where you're not
eating anything or ingesting anything
that's acidic in terms of liquids can be
very beneficial this is a vote in
support of so-called intermittent
fasting this is something that I
practice we have an amazing opportunity
during the day especially in the morning
and throughout the day to create a lot
of saliva that's the right pH to support
remineralization of the teeth provided
that there isn't a lot of food or acidic
liquids in the mouth at that time so at
least to my mind this is an interesting
opportunity to place intermittent
fasting which again or even just gaps
between meals not constantly snacking or
sipping on acidic beverages throughout
the day as an opportunity to create that
healthy milu during which the teeth can
remineralize and the overall oral health
can
improve the vast majority of dentists
out there all say the same thing you
need to brush you need to floss you need
to do it twice a day or more and you
need to do it correctly use a soft
toothbrush very vigorous brushing with
medium or hard bristles really disrupts
the interface between the teeth and the
gums in ways That's not healthy for the
gums and actually makes tenting of the
gums and those Pockets those recesses as
they're called far more likely to form
if you are regular with your brushing
and especially if you're brushing and
flossing regularly that a soft
toothbrush is going to be the best way
to break up that bofilm layer each and
every time and promote the best tooth
and overall oral health likewise if you
use an electric toothbrush it was
recommended that you not provide too
much pressure that you really try and
keep the tips of the bristles on the the
teeth and gums and yes it was also
suggested that people brush their gums
this is interesting for people out there
who have tooth sensitivity one of the
major suggestions from people in the
dental and periodontal field was to
actually brush your gums lightly to
increase circulation of blood and other
nutrients to the deeper portions of the
tooth that actually extend into the
bone you need to floss correctly you
can't just pull the floss down onto the
gum in between the tooth you need to
Glide down the side of the tooth get a
little bit underneath the gum and use a
circular motion and then lift up from
between the two teeth almost all of them
except for one felt that flossing is a
great idea for tooth health and that if
your gums bleed when you floss correctly
as I just described what correct
flossing is that your best strategy is
to floss at least twice a day between
all of your
teeth xylitol is a very low calorie
sweetener I can place it among the other
lowc calorie sweeteners like aspartame
sucros Stevia Etc but what's unique
about xylitol is that very much like
standard sugar or any kind of
carbohydrate sugar the bacteria
streptococus mutans loves to eat xylol
but when streptococus mutans eats
Xylitol cannot produce the acid that
normally would demineralize the teeth
and create cavities in addition to that
when streptococus mutans eats Xylitol it
kills streptococus mutans so what this
means is that if xylitol is present in
the oral cavity after a meal say in the
minutes and hours after a meal then any
strep mutans that happens to be there is
going to preferentially feed on the
Xylitol not other sugars and it won't be
able to release acid and because Xylitol
can actually inhibit the growth and that
is the proliferation of more strep
mutans we've got a twofer we've got a
situation where strep mutans can't
release acid to demineralize the teeth
and potentially cause cavities and the
total amount of strep mutans that can
grow that can proliferate in what are
called colonies literally the bacteria
colonizes on the teeth and that forming
that bofilm well then that can't happen
if you looking for the best toothpaste
cyol based check out the link in the
description most all mouthwashes
especially those containing alcohol are
terrible for oral health simply put they
deplete certain components of the
mucosal lining of the mouth and they
disrupt the healthy components of the
oral microbiome in addition there are
antiseptic mouthwashes some of which
contain alcohol some of which don't most
people however are using mouthwashes to
freshen their breath and to kill off
additional bacteria in the mouth that
they might believe they couldn't get
with brushing or flossing if you are
somebody who really wants to use a
mouthwash for that reason I encourage
you to try and find a mouthwash that is
not alcohol based and that is not a
strong antiseptic or that if it is an
antiseptic that it's not alcohol based
I talked to several dentists and they
told me that baking soda actually is
fairly low on the abrasiveness rating
scale it's actually considered quite
safe for the enamel of the teeth
especially if you're brushing with a
soft toothbrush and you're not like
really grinding the stuff against your
teeth it turns out that baking soda and
water is actually a pretty good
toothpaste if you're not going to go buy
a toothpaste it's pretty clear that
hydrogen peroxide unless there's a
specific medical recommendation to do so
is not something you want to introduce
to the oral cavity hydrogen peroxide is
just far too abrasive for the mouth
cavity it does seem that creating a high
salt solution okay so taking some salt
putting in water dissolving it and then
finding the point at which it won't
quite dissolve because the concentration
of sodium is just high enough and using
that as of course not something to
swallow but rather as a dental rinse so
putting your mouth and swishing it
around and then spitting it out and it's
going to taste very salty and then
taking a swig of water you know just
plain water and then swishing it around
and then and spitting it out that
actually provides a really nice milu for
the production of healthy mouth bacteria
but again I want to be very clear do not
do not swallow high salt concentration
fluid we're talking about a Swish and
then a spitting it
out every six months that's the general
recommendation this business of going to
the dentist twice a year makes sense
from the perspective of quote unquote
routine cleanings but everyone
acknowledged that those routine
cleanings while they can remove tarar
that's built up that would be very very
difficult for people to reverse or
eliminate at home and while they can
identify cavities and tell you how far a
cavity has developed into the tooth Etc
every one of those dentists agreed that
those routine cleanings are not actually
going to help remineralize your teeth
except to the extent that they remove
existing bacteria plaque and tartar and
so all of them said that they wish for
and that they really strive in their own
practices to promote more oral health
daily Protocols of the sort that we've
talked about today which I think is just
great it
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