teeth

[Marty]

Thank you.



Whether with graphics of the structure of the mouth, or your expressive emoticons, you often include lots of pictures of teeth--

I was just jiding!

[Oscar]

LOL

[superman]

Quick question regarding the Acne Sample Diet and its effect on teeth. I saw that some people have been on the diet for a long time, drinking a lot of OJ and eating a lot of fruit, does this stain the teeth or damage them in any way?

I only just started the ASD and am concerned about staining and damaging my teeth, I rinse my mouth with Volvic mineral water after I drink OJ or eat fruit, is this good practice?

I also read that leafy greens such as romaine lettuce and also cucumber contain calcium which balances with the acid from the fruits? So would it be beneficial after I'm clear to eat these foods daily? Anyone with more knowledge than me please contribute. Thanks.

Here is a quote from where I read about that:

http://www.pioneerthinking.com/fruitarian.html

"Tooth Trip

Are fruits bad for your teeth? The internal condition of the body is the best indicator as to the health of the teeth. If teeth are bad, there is an internal disruption in the body, and we need to bring in more calcium in the form of green-leafy salads and green juices, as Dr. Shelton has pointed out in his great book: "The Science And Fine Art Of Nutrition."

There is a great misconception that fruits are bad on the teeth. Why the myth of poor teeth on a fruitarian diet? The clue I picked up from Johnny Lovewisdom’s book: "Spiritualizing Dietetics: Vitarianism." He attacks nuts and seeds viciously as being the cause of teeth problems in fruitarians, not fruit. I’ve noticed that myself. Nuts leave an acid ash and are high in phosphorous which must be balanced with calcium (found abundantly and usable in greens). If you eat lots of nuts and seeds, you should also eat plenty of greens. If they are not balanced the phosphorous will eventually acidify the body and leech calcium from the bones, especially the jaw and teeth -- the body is signaling the mouth to stop taking in food, especially the nuts and seeds. Another important point appropriate here is that raw animal foods too leave an acid ash and are high in phosphorous, just like nuts and seeds. If they are not balanced off with greens (calcium) they’ll decalcify the teeth over the long term."

[RRM]

I saw that some people have been on the diet for a long time, drinking a lot of OJ and eating a lot of fruit, does this stain the teeth or damage them in any way?

Have been on the diet for 10 years now, drinking loads of OJ wit lots of sugar. So far no problems, even though I dont have strong teeth since my youth.
I dont know about the effect of rinsing, but Oscar knows.

I also read that leafy greens such as romaine lettuce and also cucumber contain calcium which balances with the acid from the fruits?

All fruits contain calcium. Check it out:
http://www.3.waisays.com/fruits/index.html

If teeth are bad, there is an internal disruption in the body, and we need to bring in more calcium

Thats a very bad over-simplification.
You can perfectly have all the calcium you need and very bad teeth.

If they are not balanced the phosphorous will eventually acidify the body and leech calcium from the bones

Thats also nonsense.
If your body needs more calcium, it simply increases the absorption rate for calcium.
If it needs less phosphorus, it simply decreases the absorption rate for phosphorus.
This system is very effective.

[van]

RRM, what's your thought as to why there are so many accounts of fruitarians having such problems with teeth, bone resorbtion in the jaw leading to receading gums and eventual loss of teeth? This question is written from curiousity rather than a fault finding demeanor. Thanks, Van

[RRM]

Fruitarians lack nutrients; specifically some omega-3 fats, vitamin B12 and cholesterol, and probably some minerals as well (zinc, iodide?), due to a lack of food from animal origin, so that doesnt surprise me.

[Oscar]

I think rinsing can't hurt. If it's actually beneficial, I'm not sure, it could be. It might be that teeth are weaker on a normal diet, so they might need to get stronger. In that sense being extra careful in the beginning would be advisable.

[Terence]

Have been on the diet for 10 years now, drinking loads of OJ wit lots of sugar. So far no problems, even though I dont have strong teeth since my youth.
...

RRM, what does "not strong teeth" mean? Do you have cavities? Are some teeth loose or yellow or transparent?

I´m a bit frustrated at the moment. After 4-5 weeks on this diet I got new caries!!
I eat only very ripe fruits, don´t drink juices and avoid citrus fruits.

The worst of all for my teeth are ripe bananas! So, it´s just the sugar, I guess.


Terence

[Terence]

The worst of all for my teeth are ripe bananas! So, it´s just the sugar, I guess.


Terence

Ups, this is the right:
Terence

[RRM]

RRM, what does "not strong teeth" mean? Do you have cavities? Are some teeth loose or yellow or transparent?

As a child I had lots of cavities, indeed.
Right now? No.
No loose teeth.
No yellow / transparent (or brown) teeth.
I forgot to mention one important cause of childhood cavities (besides poor dental hygiene in my youth) : years of grinding my teeth during sleep; it made my teeth a lot thinner (but they are still not nearly transparent though)

I´m a bit frustrated at the moment. After 4-5 weeks on this diet I got new caries!!

And you think that is caused by this diet?
It takes a while before cavities are formed, you know...

The worst of all for my teeth are ripe bananas!

And the proof is in....?

[Terence]

As a child I had lots of cavities, indeed.
Right now? No.
No loose teeth.
No yellow / transparent (or brown) teeth.
...

What kind of fillings do you have / do you recommend?
I think amalgam is the worst.. Porcelain?

How do your old cavities react to your diet? Was your diet able to heal caries/cavities?

RRM, I have to mention that I have been on a low carb diet for the past 2.5 years! I can remember that years ago (before my low carb phase) fruits have never been a problem for me regarding teeth, in sharp contrast to whole grain foods. Obviously my body has unlearnt to handle fruits that I have eaten only in tiny amounts for the last years. I stopped low carb because it makes me depressive sometimes, especially too much meat.

Could it be possible that my body needs time to "readjust" to fruits or more carbs in general? If so, what could be the underlying reasons? Enzymes? Different saliva?

Terence

[Oscar]

Avoid metal fillings (amalgam), use composite ones instead.

[RRM]

What kind of fillings do you have

I have both amalgam and composite fillings. Listen to Oscar for recommendations.

How do your old cavities react to your diet?

they dont.

Was your diet able to heal caries/cavities?

The cavities were filled by the dentist. Maybe diet cannot heal cavities.

Could it be possible that my body needs time to "readjust" to fruits or more carbs in general? If so, what could be the underlying reasons? Enzymes? Different saliva?

Yes, your digestive enzyme composition is adjusted to your diet. It just takes some time to re-adjust. Just take it slow.

[van]

Terence, you mentioned you were eating a low carb diet before switching to Wai. I'm curious, was it a raw low carb version, ie, were you eating raw meat, or cooked? thanks Van

[Terence]

Avoid metal fillings (amalgam), use composite ones instead.

Thanks for your recommendation! What do you think of porcelain fillings?
If I remember correctly you are a dentist (?).

What have been your personal experiences with wai´s diet, high in fruits, regarding teeth?
And what do you think about fruits and teeth in general?

Terence