> **[Bleeding gums]** It's usually a sign of stress, often from over-growth of bacteria in the upper intestine. A daily raw [[carrot]], shredded with a little vinegar and olive oil, can suppress bacteria. > **[Receding gums and sensitive teeth]** Melting a little coconut oil in the mouth frequently during the day can be effective, because it's antiseptic (and swallowing some at intervals during the day contributes to disinfecting the intestine). Vitamins D and K help some people. The problem usually involves endotoxin absorption, so small daily amounts of minocycline help some people. Putting bamboo shoots through a shredding food processor, so they don't take much chewing, might help to reduce endotoxin. Checking the [[thyroid]] is important. > **[Dental health]** Stress weakens teeth from the inside, drawing mineral from the dentine; the dentine is the part that can regenerate, not the enamel. [[thyroid]] function is the most important thing for limiting stress. > Stress typically causes [[calcium]] to be removed from the small channels in the dentine, and it tends to be unequal, resulting in spots of discoloration in some teeth, that can develop into cavities. [[thyroid]] is the most important antistress hormone as well as influencing the saliva and immunity. > Intestinal [[inflammation]] is often behind recurrent tooth infections, and a daily raw [[carrot]] can make a big difference (along with avoiding legumes, undercooked starches and raw or undercooked [[vegetables]]).  > I use [[baking soda]], and I rinse my mouth after having [[sugar]], orange juice, etc. The quality of the saliva, regulated mainly by the [[thyroid]] hormone, is the main factor in dental health. My newsletter on osteoporosis mentioned some of the studies on [[thyroid]], estrogen, and tooth decay.  > **[Tongue, teeth, gum problems]** There are some strong nervous and circulatory interactions between the intestine and the mouth, affecting surfaces and periodontal health, tooth sensitivity, etc. I knew a dentist who stopped doing periodontal [[surgery]] when he found that his patients were more easily cured with a laxative. Camphoric acid has been used as an intestinal disinfectant to remedy problems such as coated or sore tongue or bad breath. The tetracyclines have similar effects. Vitamins D and K are important. > **[Question about regenerating teeth with [[light]]]** [[Light]] can apparently activate part of the process; combining it with pressure and electrical and hormonal stimulation might increase the efficiency of regenerating dentine. [using a laser?] Just bright red [[light]] should do it.  > **[Effective stimulation?]** Chewing is the best stimulation. > **[Gingivitis]** Besides keeping phosphates low, getting a lot of [[vitamin K]], and maybe rubbing some onto the gums, might help; it's antiinflammatory. Some people have reverse gingivitis by "rinsing" with coconut oil twice a day, swishing it around for a couple of minutes.  > **[Removing wisdom tooth]** If it's decayed or inflamed, removing a wisdom tooth might be protective.  > **[Carrageenan in toothpaste]** No, it isn't likely to be a problem unless you are very sensitive to it.  > **[Root canals]** There's normally no need to replace root canals, and x-rays aren't necessary even when having a root canal done if the dentist is very competent. The Japanese are probably more aware than Americans of the damage done by diagnositic x-rays. Systemic toxic effects have been demonstrated from a single set of dental x-rays [(Reference)](https://archive.ph/o/OJZkW/https://raypeatforum.com/community/threads/ray-peat-email-advice-depository.1035/page-4%23post-17281) > [Mercury leaching from root canals continuously and replacing it with a metal / mercury-free alternative?] It depends on what the filling material was (my dentist used [[calcium]] oxide), but the amount absorbed from amalgam fillings and food is probably much more significant." > **[What is the best course of action for a decayed tooth?]** I think any obvious cavity should be cleaned out and filled. Extractions are usually done for economic reasons, when a good repair would require a lot of work. When a biting surface isn’t involved, a [[zinc]] oxide eugenol filling (temporary) is often good for a few years. I think composite fillings are better than amalgam, and the Sorel cements (oxy chloride) are ideal filling materials, though they aren’t popular with dentists. > **[Drilling and filling cavities and root canals]** I think filling a cavity soon is best, and with care the pulp can often be preserved, but a root filling is better than extraction; the material used for a root filling doesn't matter much, if [[calcium]] oxide is used at the end. [[Calcium]] oxide would be best for the whole thing, but the x-ray mania has discouraged that use. > **[Milk teeth]** I don’t think anesthesia should be combined with [[cyproheptadine]], but I think dentists are too aggressive in treating deciduous teeth; the important thing is to improve her digestion and hormones as her permanent teeth are developing. The so-called temporary fillings, made of [[zinc]] oxide and eugenol, are very easy to put in, and are antiseptic and mildly anesthetic topically. (I had them in wisdom teeth, and they lasted for years.) X-rays, anesthesia, and drilling into invisible cavities have their place in especially problematic adult teeth, but seem inappropriate for teeth that will soon be gone. **[Dental x-rays]** [Fun quotes](https://archive.ph/o/OJZkW/https://raypeatforum.com/community/threads/ray-peat-email-advice-depository.1035/page-9%23post-77651) [What do you think would be best for daily teeth cleaning? Do you think fluoride toothpastes are beneficial or harmful?] I think daily use of fluoride is likely to be harmful to the gums, but applying it occasionally to the teeth can harden the enamel, improving its resistance to cavities. I think the alkaline effect of baking soda is helpful for thorough cleaning. [Source](https://lowtoxinforum.com/threads/ray-peat-email-advice-depository.1035/post-265361)