Preventing and healing cavities doesn’t have to be done at the dentist. There are non-intrusive ways to care for your teeth. You can prevent and treat cavities naturally! ***This post has been updated as new events and information has come my way!
My Daughter’s Story
When my daughter turned three, I took her to the dentist for her first checkup. At that time I had already seen some dark spots on some of the lower back teeth, despite both my careful attention to her diet and her love of brushing her teeth (she would brush them about five to eight times a day!). The dentist confirmed that Lila, my daughter, had a brown spot on two molars, due to deep groves that she genetically had, allowing food to get stuck there easily. The dentist also told me that the only way to prevent them from turning into cavities was to use fluoride – both in her toothpaste and either in water or through a supplement.
Of course, I was not buying into the fluoride suggestion. I did take action though. I reread things I had come across on healing cavities naturally (I have these linked at the end of this post). Then, I added more coconut oil to her diet, introduced cod liver oil (put on toast with jelly) and ghee (I’d cook with it or put on toast with the cod liver oil and jelly). In addition, Lila did her own version of oil pulling whenever she saw me doing it. I also changed her toothpaste. We had been using Tom’s of Maine, but it’s not so natural and has some ingredients that I believe actually added to the spots. Instead, I switched to Happy Teeth Toothpaste. We went back to the dentist six months later and …. the brown spots were GONE!!!
Fast forward two years later. Once the spots were gone, I thought we could forgo some of what we had been doing when we healed the decay. We stopped oil pulling for lack of time now that Lila was going to school, and we stopped the cod liver oil, coconut and ghee. We did continue with the Happy Teeth toothpaste, but with so much going on these past two years (it’s been non-stop with all three kids), I didn’t monitor her teeth brushing – she did it herself every day, twice a day, but I didn’t realize that she wasn’t reaching the top back molars. In addition (and I feel this played the biggest role), she had been eating an organic lollypop once a day – ugh! My kids don’t eat the diet of a typical child and this was their one ‘like other kids’ treat. Thus, when I took her to her dental check-up six months ago, she had two teeth with cavities – different teeth than previously.
Our original dentist had retired, so I took her to a new one local to us for the check-up. They wanted to inject her with lidocaine and fill the cavities within the next month. My daughter has been struggling with some neurological issues and the last thing I was going to do was inject her with any sort of chemical, much less in the head area, so I did my research and found a great holistic dentist. I urge anyone dealing with cavities to do the same. From my discussions with Dr. Olga Isaeva, DDS, NMD, IBDM, along with what I did in the past, here’s a great protocol to follow when dealing with decay of the teeth.
Protocol for Healing Tooth Decay
Much of this protcol is great for prevention too!
- Use a clay based toothpaste as it provides minerals to remineralize teeth as well as being a detoxifier as its drawing properties draws out impurities. If for an adult, I recommend adding a toothpowder to your teeth brushing routine as well. I discuss this later in the post.
- Oil Pull – Oil pulling is an ancient practice that improves oral health by whitening teeth, improving gums, and tackling bad breath as it reduces bacteria, plaque, and infection in the mouth.
- Add a combination of butter oil and fermented cod liver oil to your diet. I would incorporate this on toast with jelly for my daughter. Some kids will just take it quick on a spoon. Green Pastures makes a combination of both. You can also get each separately (fermented cod liver oil & high vitamin butter oil). It needs to be of good quality that goes through minimal processing so as to maintain the vitamins in both. From the Weston A. Price Foundation: “Dr. Price always gave cod liver oil along with high-vitamin butter oil, extracted by centrifuge from good quality spring or fall butter. He found that cod liver oil on its own was relatively ineffective but combined with high vitamin butter oil produced excellent results.” It’s the fat soluble vitamins in these oils that are great for healing cavities and for your overall health. Green Pastures is the brand recommended by the Weston A. Price Foundation. They make it in both capsules, liquid and gel forms.
- Add powdered eggshells to your diet. I wash the egg shells after using the egg, gently bake them and then grind them into a powder using a coffee grinder. You can find my exact directions here. You can add the powder to smoothies, on toast with jelly, in pancakes, in oatmeal on top of french toast under the syrup, in chili… in most anything really. Egg shells are very high in natural calcium. Here’s more about it: Eggshells as a Calcium Rich Food.
- Add a homeopathic form of fluoride to your diet along with a homeopathic calcium phosphate for a child. Fluoride in its original form is toxic and I do not recommend fluoride treatments, fluoride in water nor fluoride in your toothpaste. However, you can get a homeopathic fluoride that is completely safe. Calc phos works on the formation of bone and teeth while Calc fluor is found in the surface of bones and in the enamel of teeth. These remedies can be taken three times daily for many months. Both are recommended for children, while for adults with unhealthy teeth, the Calc fluor by itself should be taken.
- Look into oxygen/ozone treatments. Many holistic dentists provide this treatment as a way to treat and eliminate infection while supporting healthy tissue. This is a simple treatment taking less than five minutes to complete. We tell my kids that the dentist is painting their teeth with magic water. You can also purchase it and apply it yourself once every other day – here’s a post on it: Ozone for Teeth
- Minimize or Eliminate Phytic Acid in Your Diet. Phytic acid, or phytate, is found in grains, nuts, seeds and some varieties of beans. When high amounts of phytic acid are consumed, the body will lose calcium and absorb other minerals at lower rates. You don’t have to totally eliminate foods containing phytic acid, but you should soak and/or ferment them first, in order to reduce the phytic acid content.
Why You Should Find a Holistic Dentist
A holistic dentist can work with you in checking in on the cavity and providing treatments, like oxygen/ozone therapy to help. In a case where intervention is needed, most times they can remove and fill a cavity without any drugs. For instance, our dentist uses air abrasion instead of a drill, eliminating the need for any numbing drugs as it is virtually pain free.
An Important NOTE on Dental Anesthesia
Should you need dental work, please read this first: What you NEED to know about MTHFR and Anesthesia
A Great Tooth Powder for Adults
Toothpowder is the original form of toothpaste. This particular one is especially good for healing gingivitis, pyorrhea, and other tooth and gum problems. It also might assist in tightening loose teeth. It’s excellent for normal brushing and can replace toothpastes. Children can use it as well, as long as they like a mint taste. I find younger children tend not to like this as the flavor is too strong. HAPPY TEETH TOOTHPOWDER – Cavity Fighting Toothpowder
- Organic Arrowroot Powder- used for thousands of years for overall mouth wellness
- Organic Erythritol- natural cavity fighter & sweetens tooth powder
- Organic Plantain Powder- tightens tissues and is soothing.
- Organic Peppermint Powder- antibacterial provides relief and relaxation.
- Organic Aloe Vera Powder-known for its ability to heal and to soothe
- Organic Dandelion Powder: helps to detox & heal, soothing
- Organic Cinnamon Powder- Freshens breath and prevents tooth and gum disintegration. Great for the immune system.
- Organic Menthol: great for breath freshening & antibacterial
- Organic Licorice Root- breath freshening, good for the entire system & tooth vitality
- Aluminum-Free Baking Soda- whitens & freshens
- Organic Essential Oils of Peppermint, Tea Tree & Spearmint- breath freshening & oral vitality
My husband laughs at me because every time I brush my teeth with the powder, I go on and on about how my mouth has never felt cleaner. A little bit of herbal tooth powder goes a long way towards a refreshing and revitalizing tooth cleaner. This FOUR ounce by volume jar of toothpowder contains AT LEAST a 6 month supply of tooth powder for one person. That’s only $3.33/month! (And I realize this sounds like a sales pitch, but I want my message to be clear – it rocks!)
For kids, I use the Happy Teeth Cherry Toddler Toothpaste.
Many people also recommend a book based on Dr. Weston Price’s diet for preventing cavities: Cure Tooth Decay
Related Links
Reversing Tooth Decay
How Egg Shells Can Help Heal Cavities
Author’s Note: I make a percentage from the sales of the toothpastes and power through the links. I joined the Poofy team after recommending their products for 5 years unaffiliated. It made sense to join an amazing team that puts out 100% organic and safe products. They are what they say, unlike so many other companies saying they are green or organic, when they are not. I share them because I love them first and foremost. I am also an amazon affiliate. Thank you for supporting Raising Natural Kids with your purchase.
This is a lovely, concise, summary of suggestions! I wish I’d found this post a year ago, these tips took me months to research and uncover!
The ozone piece is new to me though. Do you have any additional references regarding ozone? I’m trying to figure out basics like how much of it? how often? how long does it need to stay on the tooth to be effective (my little one hates the taste and wants to wash it down with something)? We’ve purchased the one listed in the Facebook post, just trying to figure out what to do with it!
I’ve had no success finding a holistic dentist in our area but am now searching surrounding cities – I feel it would be worth a day trip!
So glad you found this! I use it according to what my dentist suggests – twice a day, about half a pea size, you can get a little paintbrush to brush it on, I often use my finger. I have asked as well, about it coming off too soon with water washing it away, and the dentist wasn’t concerned. I think the consistency of it will hold up a bit on the tooth after water anyway since it is an oil. I would see if you can keep your finger pressed on it for about 20 seconds so you can be sure it gets on there and into any grooves.
Hi! My 3 year old went to the dentist yesterday, where we were told he has cavities. 🙁 they want to sedate him to fix them and I can’t bare the thought of doing that. I’ve read your page and was wondering about the ozone therapy. I called a holistic dentist this morning but they don’t do ozone on children. How did you do this for your child? Is it still possible to purchase some way for mine? Any guidance and help I am greatly appreciative for! I’m a momma bear on a mission!
Hello, my dentist does ozone therapy on children on a regular basis, but she also sells it so we can do it at home. I have a link to one on this post that she sells.
Hi i.ve looked up happy teeth toothpowder but only found happy tooth powder plus there are three versions xyletol, erythritol and other flavours which one do you use??
there’s only one: https://rnk.poofyorganics.com/products/1199-happy-teeth-tooth-powder-organic.aspx
Got it thx
How many of each of the homeopathic pellets should we be taking 3x a day?
follow the directions on the bottle that your purchase. typically 2 times a day, about 4 pellets…
I noticed that you probably did not eliminate grains entirely to heal your daughter’s cavities, as you mentioned that you served her cod liver oil on toast. I found this very interesting and wonder if it was more the cod liver oil, etc that healed her teeth. I’m interested in strengthening/preventing cavities/healing my children’s teeth but don’t see us going grain free or even getting into the whole soaking thing (we do already make sourdough bread). The debate over phytates and grain preparation is just too confusing and conflicting and I don’t want to waste my precious time on something that may or may not work! So I guess what I am really asking is how low phytate did you go and do you think that it was a main player in healing your daughter’s cavities? Thanks for your time.
I really didn’t concentrate on eliminating phytates so much. I prepare my grains when I can and i do try to do my best with the phytates, but I don’t think it played a major role.
Have you seen or experienced halting tooth decay of 14 month old? I’ve done the nagel protocol a for the past 3 months and have always had 99% of the time organic home fresh foods ETc etc but her decay will not stop. Holistic dentist now suggests silver nitrate! 🙁 I’m feeling desperate and sad. Suggestions?
did you try clay based toothpast with coconut oil?
I didn’t use them together.
I did I tried clay based toothpaste with coconut oil and essential oils. At this point I have given up the teeth has started to crumble. I keep up with the diet and the natural treatment ways but I can’t stop it.
Is babe nursing and have you had tongue and lip tye checked?
I was wondering for a 2 year old…how to oil pull. I just brush her teeth with the coconut oil and then use her toothpaste(flouride free) afterwards. I going to check out green pastures and try some clove oil. She can’t swish just yet so would brushing and flossing do the trick?
Right now you can just show her how to do it – model it for her and even if she gets it in her mouth and spits it right back out, she’s learning!
I am in desperate need of advice. I have a 2 year old with cavities. The first was diagnosed 3 months ago and is the result of a chipped tooth. The second was found today, it wasn’t there 3 months ago. The dentist advised me that he needs to taken to the OR soon to have it filled. I started giving him Green Pastures FCLO butter oil blend a little less than a month ago, I give him coconut oil in his silly cup of water at nap and bed and I’m waiting for Shine and Heal Thy Mouth from Ora Wellness to get here. I understand that diet plays a big role but am having trouble in that area. My son is a very picky eater and has always been underweight, there are days where the only things I can get him to eat are bread and applesauce. He also isn’t able to drink milk and can only have cheese and yogurt in moderation. I’m trying to encourage him to eat a wider variety but I’m not sure what else to do.
I would really try the tow homeopathic fluoride supplements mentioned in the post along with the egg shells AND consult a holistic dentist 🙂
I have been trying to find a holistic dentist in my area but so far have been unsuccessful. I’ve been researching calc fluor and calc phos, I have yet to come up with a definitive answer as to if its safe for me to give him the supplement without being under the care of a homeopath or holistic doctor. I know you can’t give medical advice but I was wondering if you have had any experience with this.
Try having your two year old help you make meals. The more you offer the foods they need, the likelier they are to come around. In my experience, my youngest (2.5 years) is a meat and potatoes kind of guy. Just last night for the first time he ate his entire bowl of kale, green beans, and brocolli…all things he didnt like when we started this journey a month ago…i just kept putting them on his plate in small doses and would offer him a special toy, time to play, or another thing he liked when he took a bite or two…thats helped me, but it didnt happen overnight and it took alot of work…but it is possible, and it seems to happen when you least expect it
About how much of the egg shells should you add to coffee or toast daily?
I do a pinch… too much and they’ll notice!
Thank you for this! I am curious to hear more about how your daughter oil pulled. I would like to have my kiddos 14, 8 and 6 start pulling. Any tips and suggestions would be great! Thanks
she was 4 at the time so she only did what she could do – with coconut oil for a few minutes…
Hi! Great post!!! I am having a hard time finding a natural dentist. Any suggestion would be awesome! We are in the twin cities area of mn.
Hi – We have a FB group for your state where you can ask RNK Minnesota
Is there one for MA or RI? I can’t find a holistic dentist near me.
Are you on Facebook? We have state groups there where you can ask. Like RNK Massachusetts…
HI! does this help only with brown spots on molars or similar?? My 2 yr and half old daughter has a long hole on one of her upper molars ( I brush her teeth regularly and she likes brushing too, but she has deep groves on her molars and apparently even if I’m constantly brushing her teeth the food still stays there) :/ she also has a brown spot on one of her lower molars but the upper one looks more like an ugly hole 🙁 would all this helps cure that hole type of cavity?? I wouldn’t like them to have her full sedated and have them fill in her molar because she’s only 2 yrs and half :/ thanks! And hope to hear back from you soon (:
Ps: I will definitely change to a holistic dentist as well.
It helps with brown spots and many cavities, but if the cavity is too far gone, there may not be time to heal it before it creates more damage.
Thanks for your reply! I’m looking at holistic dentists now!! I never saw that cavity before, she will have to be laying down in order to see it, I feel so bad about it I didn’t see it in time 🙁 … She had a dentist visit 6 months ago and she didn’t have any cavities 🙁 but I’m definitely gonna do what you did with your daughter for brown spots and to prevent cavities or small cavities 🙂
*You mentioned first you put cod liver oil and Ghee oil on the jelly, and then you also mentioned fermented cod liver oil and butter oil together, which one is better for brown spots, cavities prevention, and small cavities? Thanks again
where can i get fermented cod liver oil?
Any of the Green Pastures are great – they have it in capsules or liquid… http://amzn.to/2d70jcE
How long did it take until you saw a difference. My 6 1/2 year old just went to the dentist and she has a couple cavities and I don’t want to fill them. Been giving her coconut oil and cod liver oil and we eat grass fed butter all the time. I need to order butter oil. Was just wondering about how long until you saw results. Thx!
This is our first experience with cavities.
Hi – It was about 2 months… Make sure it’s fermented cod liver oil! Good luck! I have also recently learned about some holistic dentists using ozone treatments to help remineralize teeth as well. I really think the toothpaste helped a lot, though I think that if a child likes a mint flavor that the toothpowder is the best option.
It is fermented cod liver oil 🙂 I was going to make my own toothpaste. Coconut oil, baking soda, and orange essential oil. But you would say to use yours instead? She doesn’t mind peppermint.
Thank you for this information. My 3 year old’s dentist gave us the same recommendation, fluoride, and I was not about to start. I have actually tried to rub coconut oil on her teeth and gums but it seems to make her gag. We cook with coconut oil on a daily basis and I sneak it into smoothies as well. How do you get your young child to oil pull? I oil pull but unfortunately our daughter has not caught on. I will have to look into this toothpaste for her and the powder for myself. We were blessed with very deep grooves in our teeth as well 🙂
I got lucky – my daughter saw me doing it and mimicked me!!! She only does it for a couple of minutes though. I think that the toothpaste made the difference. If you get the toothpowder for yourself and get her to like it, even better! The powder tastes great to me (better than any paste), but it’s minty and some little ones don’t like mint…
I see that the recommended toddler toothpaste contains glycerin. I have read in the Cure Tooth Decay community that glycerin is not recommended because it coats the teeth and does not allow them to remineralize. On the other hand, it sounds like you’ve had success with it! Something for others to look into.
This is the single best article I’ve read on healthy teeth, point #7 is in regard to glycerin: “It can be suspected that the chemist Dr. Judd made his discovery based on applying pure glycerin to the teeth which very conceivably could indeed coat the teeth to the point of requiring multiple rinses for removal. By the same token, such a layer of pure glycerin might then prevent minerals from penetrating where they should penetrate. (On the other hand, such a barrier could actually work to equally prevent demineralization of the teeth, at least as long as it is not scrubbed off by chewing or possibly chemically changed by acidic foods, drinks or saliva.)
In the real world, in any case, glycerin in toothpastes occurs in relatively small amounts while being thoroughly mixed with frequently numerous additional ingredients. As such glycerin seems unlikely to be able to form any kind of thick or regular coating on the teeth.” : http://www.healingteethnaturally.com/
See this also: http://www.myfamilydentist.ca/glycerin-and-remineralization-of-teeth/