Fowler Fitness
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Oral health protocol and strategies
🕑 Added 2024-05-28 16:39:49 +0000 UTC(I’m not done writing the bulk of the protocol yet. I will be adding more things likelt later today or tomorrow. But I figured I’d go ahead and release some of the big stuff since this was highly requested)
Oral health is crucial for overall health because the mouth serves as a gateway to the rest of the body. We know that our gut micrbiome is important, but we rarely consider the impact that oral micrbiome has on the gut biome and the rest of the body.
We know that poor oral hygiene can lead to the proliferation of harmful bacteria in the mouth. But many don’t realize that these bacteria don’t just stay in the mouth and cause gum disease and cavities — they also enter the bloodstream and affect other organs, including the heart and gut.
For example, streptococcus mutans commonly found in the mouth can enter the bloodstream through inflamed gums or dental procedures. Once in the bloodstream, it can adhere to damaged areas of the heart, leading to endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart.
Individuals with congenital mitral valve prolapse (an estimated 12-15% of the population) are at a great risk of endocarditis. Bacteria from the mouth may also contribute to the development of atherosclerosis via inflammation pathways which can restrict blood flow and lead to heart disease.
The mouth and gut are part of the same digestive tract and share a microbiome. Poor oral hygiene can lead to an imbalance in oral bacteria, and poor gut health cah also influence the oral micrbiome (bi-directional system). ‘Bad bugs ‘ can travel from the gut microbiome where they create dysbiosis and inflammation
As mentioned, fusobacterium nucleatum can adhere to and invade gut epithelial cells, promoting inflammation and potentially leading to cancerous lesions. Some recent papers have shown that fusobacterium can create a microenvironment that supports the growth of cancer cells in the colon by inhibiting a healthy immune response as well
Porphyromonas gingivalis
This pathogen is a major contributor to periodontitis (severe gum disease). It can enter the bloodstream through the gums and has been found in atherosclerotic plaques. It can also affect the gut by altering the local immune response and promoting a proinflammatory environment, which can possibly contribute to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease potentially colorectal cancer.
Treponema denticola
This is another bacteria associated with periodontal disease. It produces enzymes that can degrade proteins in the gum tissue, leading to inflammation and facilitating bacterial entry into the bloodstream. This bacteria has also been implicated in systemic inflammation that can affect the heart and gut.
Oral health protocol
Before we delve into specific ways to improve oral health, we need to consider the impact that the gut has. If the gut is unhealthy, it’s very unlikely that any supplements (or even topical treatments) will offer much benefit.
Remineralizing the teeth is a key component of improving oral health, and this simply won’t be possible if we’re deficient in essential fatty acids, fat soluble vitamins and minerals. Even if we’re supplementing with these, we may not be absorbing them well if the gut is leaky or dysbiotic.
For example, fungus like candida alibicans (the funus responsible for causing yeast infections, oral thrush and occasionally sinusitis) and SIBO causing bacteria can greatly inhibit nutrient absorption in the small intestine. For this reason, it’s important to first address the gut as well. While this article isn’t going to focus on ways to do that, I’d recommend checking out the fungal/yeast protocol listed bellow. This provides a bit of a more semi-comprehensive approach to clearing up common pathogens in the gut.
Listed bellow are a few different things you can do to tackle 3 common issues in the mouth 1. Oral dysbiosis (bad bacteria) 2. Periodontal disease 3. Cavities. We’ll also be covering some things you can do before and after routine dental work (or operations) to prevent bacterial migration as well as providing some resources for addressing issues caused by tooth extractions and root canals.
Oral health protocol/supplements and diet
Let’s cover some details. While these aren’t in perfect order, I have tried to include some of the most important things first. Namely the xylitol, theobromine, oil pulling, enzymes, probiotic and theobromine. I’ve intentionally left off brushing and flossing on here since that should hopefully be common sense. Before diving into these, let’s cover some basic nutritional and supplemental considerations. A diet that’s high in whole foods , low in refunded sugars, and high in essential fattys acid and protein is going to be a non-negotiable. If you haven’t moved past the ‘processed food phase’ in your health journey, this probably isn’t the article for you
1.Essential fatty acids— consuming enough healthy fats is important for oral health. Ensure plenty of foods fats like avacodo, omega-3’s (mainly from fish, not fish oil) olive oil, and a reasonable amount of saturated fats from dairy (sheeps, goats, and camels is best). These foods also contain lots of fat soluble vitamins discussed bellow
2.Fat solubles vitamins A, D, K
Fat-soluble vitamins A and D play crucial roles in maintaining dental health, and their impacts on teeth are numerous. For example vitamin A is essential for the formation of enamel, the hard outer covering of the teeth. Adequate levels of vitamin A are also necessary for maintaining healthy salivary glands. Saliva is crucial for oral health as it helps wash away food particles and bacteria, neutralizes acids, and provides minerals for remineralization. It’s best to get vitamin A from bio-avaliable animals foods like dairy, egg yolks, moderate (1x week) organ/liver consumption.
Vitamin D is also vital for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the diet. These minerals are crucial for the development and maintenance of strong teeth and bones. Because teeth are anchored in the jawbone, and vitamin D promotes the health and density of bones, including the jawbone. Vitamin D is also involved in the formation of dentin, the dense, bony tissue forming the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel. It also helps maintain the balance of calcium and phosphate in the body, which is essential for the remineralization process. As mentioned remineralization is the natural repair process for non-cavitated tooth lesions, where minerals are redeposited in the enamel layer of the tooth. Vitamim D is best obtained from moderate sun exposure (30min daily or 4-5x a week). But some may need to supplement. I only recommend using the grand D. Velop (the active storage form of vitamin D) for vitamin D supplementation. This form helps ensure you mitigate any potential side effects of high doses, portly overallly bioavaliable D supplementation.
Vitamin K is another extremely important fat soluble vitamin with a significant role in dental health. It works working synergistically with vitamins A and D. It’s a particularly important co-factor for vitamin D and magnesium. Matrix GLA protein prevents calcium from depositing in the wrong places, such as blood vessels and soft tissues. Vitamin K2 activates MGP, ensuring calcium is properly utilized. One area where GLA shuttles calcium is into the teeth, where it helps remineralize them. Vitamin K can be difficult to obtain from food, so I often like supplementing. Particularly with the MK7 form. I like the mitolife brand. 1 to half a capsule daily with a fat containing meal.
https://lddy.no/pp3a CODE: GRANTFOWLER15
3. Minerals — as mentioned, minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are important for remineralizing the teeth. adequate magnesium intake (400-600mg daily for most) is ideal along with a diet rich in calcium and phosphorus. Dairy foods are a great source of calcium, and you can also consider supplementing with pearl powder for additional calcium and phos. This is the only whole food calcium supplement I recommend. Pearl 1/2 tsp of pearl powder can also be added to xylitol and theorbromine swish. Shilajit is also a great source of bio-avaliable trace minerals that i typically recommend most people supplement with. I like the mitolife brand, and I use 4-5 tablets daily
https://fowlerfitness1.myshopify.com/ (mag)
CODE: SUBSCRIBER10
https://lddy.no/pp3a (Shilajit) CODE: GRANTFOWLER15
Just Thrive probiotic — probiotics are not only a foundational component of gut health, but they’re also extremely important for the health of the oral micrbiome. Many of the bacteria found in our colon (bifido strains especially) are also found in the mouth. Taking a good probiotic will help improve the health of the oral micrbiome systemically by modulating the thing it’s directly connected to (literally). Aka the gut. But it can also have some direct mechanisms of action in the mouth. I like opening the just thrive capsules and letting them sit in my mouth for 5min before swallowing (usually most of the powder dissolved anyway tbh). Be sure to coat all the teeth
You can use the code GRANRFOWLER15 for 10% off the probiotic
https://justthrivehealth.com/?rfsn=4153843.ed61ca
BioFresh oral enzyme & plaque remover
BioFresh is a lozenge formulated with naturally occurring enzymes that offer a proven solution for reducing and removing oral biofilm. This enzymatic bio-formula disrupts the biofilm matrix (a protective coating bacteria hide in) preventing harmful bacteria from attaching to tooth surfaces, and supporting a healthy oral microbiome. Clinical studies have shown that using three lozenges per day can enhance oral biofilm removal by 60% over regular toothbrushing within eight days and decrease biofilm buildup by 47% within 24 hours.
I would use this first before doing oil pulling to make pathogens more susceptible. Then after oil pulling, re-seed the oral microbiome with just thrive
https://shop.aliveandwell.health//products/
Oil ozone pulling — there are a lot of things that have been attributed to oil pulling that are slightly overblown. But what oil pulling does do well is kill off pathogenic micrbiome in the mouth. This can be a bit of a double edge sword though. Similar to antibiotics (which are sometimes necessary) oil pulling will also kill of good ‘bugs’ in the mouth as well. I recommend using the just thrive after oil pulling to restore them and also limiting your pulling to a 1-2 month phase. We just want to use initially almost as a bit of a ‘reset’. 10-20min daily with coconut oil first thing in the morning works well. You can also add 1-2 drops of food grade clove oil to this as well. Instead of oil pulling with coconut oil, I like oil pulling with ozonited olive oil. Ozone is one of the most powerful antimicrobials, and it can also help to heal and reoxygenate damaged gum tissue
https://www.amazon.com/PurO3-Ozonated-Olive-Oil-Fully/dp/B00BI1743Q/
Xylitol —xylitol is another great way to improve the health of the oral micrbiome. It not only serves as a good ‘selective’ food for the good bacteria, but it also prevents bad bacteria from adhering to the teeth and gums. Xylitol is also great to use after consuming acidic foods that erode the eneamal (like lemons and coffee). I always swish with xylitol after coffee and acidic foods for about 10min. I would initially recommend using xylitol after each meal for the first 2-3 months on an oral care routine to speed run some of the changes we want to see. You want to make sure you’re using xylitol sources from bitch only. Chew and then swish 1 tsp of the crystals until it’s mixed with saliva for 10min. Do not mix with water as this will dilute the minerals that are naturally present in your saliva and necessary for tooth remineralization
Theobromine — Theobromine is a stimulant found in foods like chocolate. Theobromine in some studies works just as well as flouride for rebuilding tooth enemal. It’s also a powerful way to remineralize the teeth and prevent decay. In some circumstances, it may also be able to reverse early tooth decay and cavities. Same with xylitol. You can add 1/2 tsp of theobromine along with xylitol and pearl powder as well into your swish once daily.
Important: theorbromine and xylitol are toxic to dogs, even at very low doses. He sure not to spill any of the powder or xylitol crystals. Because theorbromine is also a stimulant, you’ll want to avoid swallowing it while rinsing as 1/2 tsp is a relatively high dose of theorbromine if taken and swallowed.
Red light therapy — red light therapy is an underrated tool for oral care. Red lights powerful anti-inflammatory and cell stimulating properties make it great for treating perdontal disease and fighting inflammation. The device bellow is great to use as a standalone or in conciuction with the MB bellow
Methylene blue — MB is a great supplement to use for gum disease. You can combine it with red light therapy in order to create the photodynamic effect. Photodynamic therapy involves using a photo sensitizing agent or drug (like methylene blue) in combination with a light source (usually red or near infared light) to generate ROS that kill bacteria and even cancer. You can apply the MB liberally to the gums (be careful because it does stain) and then use the red light device attached above. Do not use Mb if you’re currently taking SSRI’s or other supplements/meds that impact serotonin production. This can cause lethal serotonin syndrome
Mastic chewing gum
To keep the teeth healthy, we also need strong bones and a strong jaw to anchor the teeth. Crowding of the teeth (malocclusions) can impact the health of our mouth and jaw. It can also constrict and narrow the airway, making it more difficult to nose breathe. Nose breathing is important because it helps us produce nitric oxide, which is a powerful anti microbial and anti-viral. A narrow airway can also predispose you to additional issues with breathing. Mastic gum is very hard chewing gum that helps train the jaw and stimulate new bone formation. Mastic gum itself also has some anti microbial benefits. It’s a little expensive, so I like to reuse the same piece of gum for a few days. Chew for 30-60min daily, either once or divided through out the day. If you get sore on your first day, try doing it 3-4x a week to start
Mouth taping
Nasal breathing helps maintain moisture inthe mouth and also helps with nitric oxide production as mentioned. Mouth breathing can cause dryness, which may lead to bad breath, increased risk of tooth decay, and gum disease. By promoting nasal breathing, mouth taping might help keep the oral cavity more hydrated. It can also boost saliva production, which is essential for oral health as it helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria, remineralizes teeth and washes away food particles, and provides disease fighting substances. It can reduce the risk of gum disease and cavities for this reason as well. Don’t sleep on mouth taping at night. No pun intended
Tooth remineralization powder
In addition to supporting the remineralization process internally with nutrients like fat soluble vitamins and minerals, you can also help remineralize the teeth with remineralization powder (calcium carbonate and hydroxpitate). You can add a small bit while brushing your teeth, or you can swish with it once in the evening after brushing your teeth for 5-10min.
Use a water pick
Using a water pick is ideal for cleaning the back of the teeth where floss often isn’t able to contour properly around the back molars
https://www.amazon.com/COSLUS-Water-Dental-Flosser-Teeth AG723TVX3WWFJ
Pro resolving mediators
SPMs create a conducive environment for tissue regeneration. This can help in the healing of gingival tissues and the underlying bone affected by periodontal disease.SPMs stimulate fibroblast activity, which is essential for the synthesis of collagen and other extracellular matrix components, aiding in the repair of periodontal tissues.
SPM’s can be use topically. Bite open 2-3 capsules and swish in mouth for 5min before swalloing
Brand: metagenics
Liquid chlorophyll for gum disease
Chlorophyll has been shown to have antimicrobial effects, which can help reduce the bacterial load in the mouth. By lowering the number of harmful bacteria, it may help prevent the progression of gum disease. Chlorophyll also anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce swelling and redness in the gums.
Some research suggests that chlorophyll can promote wound healing in damaged gum tissue as well. It’s also a photosensitiver, meaning you can swish with it for 3-5min before you do red light on the gums
https://www.amazon.com/HERBS-ETC-
PEMF therapy for gums dental infections
PEMF (when applied to the mouth or jaw) can help heal damaged gums. This is actually one of the benefits of low intensity PEMF in particular. The SOTA Biotuner can also kill bad bacteria in the mouth, so it can be used for infected and cavitated teeth
REMplenish™ Myo-Nozzle & Straw:
The myo-nozzle is something I’ve recently added into my routine. It’s a great tool to he’ll retrain proper tounge posture to help reinforce nasal breathing at night. As mentioned above, ‘mouth breathing tooth decay and gum disease. Nasal breathing boost saliva production, which is essential for oral health as it helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria, remineralizes teeth and washes away food particles, and provides disease fighting substances’
https://remasteredsleep.com/pages/remplenishmyonozzle
Dragons blood (gum repair)
Dragon's Blood is renowned for its wound healing capabilities. When applied topically, the resin forms a protective barrier over wounds, which can also be effective for oral ulcers or cuts in the gums. This barrier not only protects the area from infection but also promotes faster healing. The anti-inflammatory properties of taspine further support tissue repair, making it a valuable option for enhancing gum health. Some small studies have even demonstrated partial gum regrowth. You can buy any DB tincture online and wish for 10-20min along with xylitol and others. Just use a dropper full
Things to avoid or limit
phytic acic
Foods high in phyctic acid can be problematic since they can bind to minerals that are necessary for remineralizing the teeth. Both locale on the tooth surface and in the gut. You don’t need to entirely avoid foods like nuts, grains and seeds. These are healthy. But you may want to considering buying sprouted foods (I regularly consume sprouted pumpkin aeeds) which are easier to digest and or limiting yourself to one to two servings a day. Sprouted foods will help you extract more of the minerals present in these foods as well. You can also use the tooth mineralization protocol after consuming them. A little xylitol after meals can go a long way.
Acidic foods
Acidic foods like coffee, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, soda and sparkling water should be limited. Acidic foods can erode tooth enamel, which is the protective outer layer of the teeth, making them more susceptible to decay and sensitivity. The acid in these foods can weaken the enamel, leading to the demineralization of the teeth and potentially causing cavities over time.
I regularly consume AVC, lemon and coffee (these have other health benefits), but I always make sure to use xylitol after. Avoid brushing your teeth after consuming acidic foods as this can further strip the enamel. Instead, use xylitol (and or other options listed for mineralization) after acidic beverages. Wash out the mouth first with water, then do your remineralization to restore the alkaline micro-environment of the teeth
Toothpaste
Choosing the right toothpaste is important. While many conventional store bought brands are demonized, many ‘alternative’ or ‘natural’ toothpastes aren’t much better
Remember what we said about oil pulling: (If not, read through the entire oral health protocol bellow) Anything that is bactericidal isn’t something we want to use for prolonged periods. This is because we will kill both the bad bacteria and the beneficial microbes that maintain our oral health. The same principle that applies to oil pulling also applies to toothpaste. We don’t want to use toothpastes with a lot of strong essential oils and other bactericidals. While many of these products are touted as ‘healthier’ alternatives to the traditional ‘chemical-laden’ toothpastes at your local grocery store, they aren’t any better for oral health outcomes.
Key point: Preventing tooth decay isn’t just about removing pathogens or cavity-causing bacteria. We also need to promote the right bacteria. While there is a time and place for ‘killing’ (just as we might take a strong antibiotic for a serious infection), these phases need to be limited in time and only done when deemed appropriate. Just like our gut, we also want to use things like prebiotics for the oral microbiome that promote the right bacteria and dissuade the wrong ones.
This is why xylitol works particularly well. It feeds good oral bacteria (it’s a prebiotic? while creating an environment that’s unfavorable for pathogens by raising oral Ph. This is why I always recommend using it after acidic foods (coffee, tea, lemon juice, carbonated beverages) and carb of sugar heavy meals.
The brands I like
Reviton
The primary toothpaste I recommend to most people is Reviton. This is because it contains oral prebiotics and other ingridents that both 1. petburb the biofilms of pathogenic oral microbes while 2. Providing selective prebiotics that feed the good bacteria in the mouth.
I like to use it by brushing as normal, and then swishing the remaining toothpaste in the mouth for an extra 3-5min afterwards. Reviton also contains calcium carbonate (I like this over hydroxyapetite which actually appears to be rather abrasive and can cause excessive wear on the teeth when used in combination with brushing. Although oral swishing appears to be fine and effective ) for tooth and enemal remineralization, as well as some other vitamins and antioxidants for tissue and gum health.
Activated edathamil (LivFresh
Activated edathamil is a novel ingredient used in some dental products, particularly in LivFresh, which has been shown to significantly improve plaque removal and oral hygiene. Its mechanism of action is based on effectively altering the electrostatic interactions between teeth and bacteria, thereby reducing the adhesion of dental biofilm. This unique property allows it to act somewhat like a non-stick surface for teeth, preventing plaque from forming as easily as it would with traditional toothpastes.
Research indicates that activated edathamil is designed to target harmful bacteria in the oral cavity while being less detrimental to beneficial bacteria. The primary goal of this ingredient is to disrupt the formation of plaque and biofilm, which are primarily composed of pathogenic bacteria. By weakening the bond between these harmful bacteria and the tooth surface, activated edathamil will helps to maintain a healthier oral microbiome overall, and there’s some pretty good research demonstrating this
Note: buy the Mild Peppermint only, as the other flavors contain artificial colors.
Which one should I choose
I think that Reviton is likely the best all around toothpaste for everyday use. It’s gentle, doesn’t contain abrasives, and will slowly push the oral microbiome in the right direction. However, those with more severe oral health challenges may want to try using something like LivFresh (possibly in combination with Reviton) for a month or two in order to ‘retool’ the oral microbiome (along with the microbiome labs oral enzymes and other things listed in the dental health protocol)
What should I avoid?
Avoid popular brands containing fluoride, essentials oils with bactertocidal properties, artificial colorings, abrasives like hydroxyapatite (fine and beneficial for swishing though!) baking soda and charcoal; preservatives (parabens, triclosan, phthalates, SLS, artificial colors)
Warning on a popular ‘natural’ toothpaste (RiseWell)
RiseWell is a popular brand of ‘natural’ toothpaste you may be currently using. Many have reported getting strange, translucent like spots on their teeth after brushing with this brand for a couple weeks. I believe this may have something to do with the abrasive nature of the hydroxyapatite, although I haven’t seen this reported with other toothpastes containing it. It’s possible it may have an extremely high concentration of it. It’s difficult to say. I would simply stay away from this brand (it also contains lots of bactericidal essential oils) due to the absence of negative feedback from thousands of users with similar reports
Important information about getting cavities filled
The dental protocol is a great place to start for reversing early tooth decay. But it may not be sufficient for reversing more severe tooth decay. Getting cavities filled is important for many of the reasons mentioned above — If the teeth continue to rot, they will lead to progressive and systemic health issues. Intervene early is important. There are many issues (which we will discuss) related to tooth extractions (including wisdom teeth) and root canals. You want to intervene BEFORE these are necessary.
With that being said, not all dental materials are made the same. Amalgam and mercury fillings are confirmed to be toxic. Instead, you should look for a biological, health conscious dentists (the actual term for these kinds of dentists IS a biological dentist). Biological dentists use non toxic composites and materials for tooth fillings. If you have mercury or amalgam fillings, you should consider getting them removed properly by a biological dentist
Comments
scholar boxer
Hi can you please share the link again for mouth taping , the original link takes you to Amazon without the product. Thanks!
Fowler Fitness
It’s ideal
Josh
Thoughts on swishing xylitol right before bed after brushing your teeth?
Fowler Fitness
Nope
Andrew E
I was wondering are the MitoLife probiotics just as effective in this case?
Fowler Fitness
If you've alreeady done it for a month there's probably no need to do it again. The mouth cleaning enzymes are honestly a better option because they improve the overall diversity of the oral microbiome while preventing pathogens from proliferating where as oil kills everything
Arielle
How long should you wait to restart oil pulling after doing it for a month?
