Vegan and Cavities
Posted by closeyoureyestosee on Feb 20, 2009 · Member since Jan 2007 · 1218 posts
I know this has been discussed before, but I wanted to bring this topic up again. I never had cavities when I was younger, but now I seem to be getting a lot. I think they coincided with my going vegan...
I've been using non-fluoridated Tom's of Maine toothpaste, but my dentist recommended that I switch to fluoride. I found a Tom's toothpaste with fluoride and I've been using that.
Other than that, I don't eat any sugar, don't drink coffee, I brush at least twice a day, floss at night...
I don't think I'm getting enough calcium, so I'm a little nervous that this might be a problem. My dietitian just recommended that I take a supplement.
Any ideas on why this might be happening and what I can do about it?
i've been getting cavities too! i brush at least twice a day and use listerine because i have permanent retainers that make flossing a pain. i asked my dentist what i can do to prevent cavities, and she said that some people just have teeth that are prone to cavities, like the shape of them makes it easier to get cavities.
maybe use a flouride mouthwash also? that's what i'm thinking of doing instead of the listerine.
I have NEVER EVER had a cavity in my life! Sorry to hear about the cavities.
I'm going into the dentist next week for a cleaning (has been over a year...) because a couple of my teeth have been sensitive. I don't think they are cavities (never had a cavity, but from what I've read, it doesn't sound like a cavity). I think I was using too hard of a toothbrush and brushing too hard and may have exposed my roots a bit because the sensitive parts are near my gums.
I just bought a Tom's of Maine sensitive toothpaste and a fluoride rinse from Natural Dentist and they seem to be less sensitive. I had been using a fluoride-free toothpaste as well, so I think that might be part of it, so I'm switching back to fluoride.
I don't think your body depletes itself of calcium that quickly if you are in fact not getting enough calcium, so that is likely not to blame. I would be more suspect of the lack of fluoride or I've also read that tooth sensitivity heightens in your mid-20s-30s, so maybe you're more prone to cavities then as well? I dunno...
I don't think I'm getting enough calcium, so I'm a little nervous that this might be a problem. My dietitian just recommended that I take a supplement.
I thought I remembered you saying in the past that you eat lots of greens? Don't you have green soup for dinner often? That's odd that you wouldn't be getting enough calcium...
???
I don't think I'm getting enough calcium, so I'm a little nervous that this might be a problem. My dietitian just recommended that I take a supplement.
I thought I remembered you saying in the past that you eat lots of greens? Don't you have green soup for dinner often? That's odd that you wouldn't be getting enough calcium...
???
Wow! I'm so surprised that you remember this! I'm not eating that soup anymore, but I still eat a pretty decent amount of spinach. My dietitian just told me that she doesn't count the calcium in vegetables toward daily intake. She said I can count the calcium in soy milk and yogurt. I don't know how much I would get through greens anyway. She said I should be getting between 900-1200mg per day. Soy yogurt and milk has 30 mg per serving.
Wow! I'm so surprised that you remember this! I'm not eating that soup anymore, but I still eat a pretty decent amount of spinach.
Yeah, I remember you saying something about eating green soup every day. Since you have a green shirt on in your avatar I made a mental note/connection with the 2.
My dietitian just told me that she doesn't count the calcium in vegetables toward daily intake. She said I can count the calcium in soy milk and yogurt. I don't know how much I would get through greens anyway. She said I should be getting between 900-1200mg per day. Soy yogurt and milk has 30 mg per serving.
:o
Calcium in whole foods doesn't count?? That's pretty crazy. Greens are loaded with calcium, and in my books are a better source than fortified foods. But spinach is actually a green food exception. Because of its high oxalate content, most of the calcium can't be absorbed. But most all other greens, like broccoli, kale, collards, etc, are chock-full of it!
I am 38 y.o. no cavities ever.
Have been using fluoride toothpaste for years with no problems.
You can google fluoride and see it is basically rat poison you are putting in your mouth
That is the reason why all fluoride products have a poison warning label on the back.
Fatal if a child ingests even a small amount.
Fluoride is a waste product and the government is good at disposing of things.
Just give it to some one to ingest.
isn't water flouridated though?
isn't water flouridated though?
Depends where you live.
That is the reason why all fluoride products have a poison warning label on the back.
Fatal if a child ingests even a small amount.
That's a bit of an overstatement. Fluoride isn't the best thing to be ingesting, but swallowing a small amount during brushing (which kids do) is not detrimental. You'd know if you were getting too much fluoride because you would get brown spots on your teeth before anything bad happened.
Lots of things are poisonous in large amounts--soap, vitamins, sunshine--but let's be realistic. ::)
I definately stay away from flouride as there seems to be enough evidence about the dangers. My dentist though questioned the dangers of some natural toothpastes as he said some use abrasive ingredients which may harm our teeth. I have not really checked this out. It is interesting to note that while my wife and I eat pretty well the same diets I have suffered from some cavities while she has not. I have some children who are in their late 20's who were brought up vegan and also have had no cavities. I think a well balanced vegan diet would not be the problem but maybe too many sweets might. I think that is my downfall as both my wife and my children do not eat many sweets while I do suffer from a sweet tooth, actually a few of them, some of which now are paying the price.
Well water here
Tested frequently and always nice and pure
If I am traveling I will bottle my own water.
Going by plane can not really do that.
isn't water flouridated though?