Dr. Ellie Phillips is a renowned dentist and oral health educator who has dedicated her career to empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to achieve optimal oral health. Her approach emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying causes of dental problems and adopting a proactive, preventative approach to oral care. Dr. Ellie's system, detailed in her book "Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye," focuses on simple, accessible strategies that can be implemented at home to improve gum health, prevent cavities, and naturally whiten teeth.
The Four Keys to Oral Health
Dr. Ellie Phillips' system revolves around four key areas that significantly impact oral health:
- Oral Care Routine: Establishing a consistent and effective oral care routine is the foundation of Dr. Ellie's system.
- Your Own Saliva: Understanding the crucial role of saliva in maintaining a healthy mouth ecology is essential.
- Lifestyle & Daily Habits: Recognizing how lifestyle choices and daily habits affect oral health is vital for making informed decisions.
- Repair & Regeneration: Supporting the mouth's natural ability to repair and regenerate is key to long-term oral health.
Understanding the Role of Saliva
Saliva plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy oral environment. It is a naturally balanced liquid super-saturated with calcium and phosphates, which are essential for repairing and replenishing minerals lost from teeth through a process called re-mineralization. Dr. Ellie emphasizes that nothing manufactured can replicate the ability of healthy natural saliva to deliver minerals to teeth.
Problems That Affect Saliva
Several factors can compromise the health and effectiveness of saliva:
- Dry Mouth: Medications, mouth breathing (due to colds, sinus issues, or allergies), and certain medical conditions can reduce saliva flow, leading to gum disease, cavities, tooth darkening, and sensitivity.
- Acidic Mouth: A healthy saliva pH is around 7.4. Prolonged periods of acidity promote harmful bacteria growth, leading to plaque buildup, tooth damage, and gum problems.
- Infected Mouth: Harmful bacteria thrive in acidic and dry mouth conditions, easily transferring to toothbrushes and other people through saliva droplets.
Solutions to Improve Saliva
Dr. Ellie recommends several solutions to improve saliva quality and address common problems:
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- Xylitol: Use pure xylitol gum and mints frequently to control mouth acidity and stimulate saliva flow. Xylitol is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts water and encourages the production of alkaline saliva.
- Complete Mouth Care System: Follow Dr. Ellie's Complete Mouth Care System to protect teeth and support a healthy mouth biofilm and ecosystem.
- Hydration: Stay hydrated, but avoid constant sipping to prevent diluting the healing power of saliva.
- Diet: Optimize saliva health with a diet rich in plants and vegetables. Consider a food-derived supplement if necessary, as well as a course of colon health probiotics.
- Oral Probiotics: A good oral probiotic (formulated with xylitol) may be helpful for people with dry mouth or acidic saliva.
Dr. Ellie's Complete Mouth Care System
Dr. Ellie's Complete Mouth Care System involves a specific sequence of products and techniques designed to optimize oral health. While the specific products may vary, the general routine includes:
- Brushing: Use a high-quality toothbrush, such as Dr. Plotka's toothbrush, which features soft, thin bristles for thorough cleaning and firmer bristles for gum massage. The user noted that these toothbrushes work effectively, even with bulbous curves and gum recession.
- Rinsing: Use a mouthwash like Closys Ultra Sensitive mouthwash, which helps reset mouth acidity and freshen breath.
- Toothpaste: Use a toothpaste like Crest, as specifically recommended by Dr. Ellie.
- Xylitol: Incorporate Zellies mints or gum, ensuring they do not contain citric acid or other harmful ingredients.
Specific Product Considerations
- Dr. Plotka's Toothbrushes: These toothbrushes are designed with soft, thin bristles that effectively clean between teeth and massage gums.
- Closys Mouthwash Ultra Sensitive: This mouthwash helps neutralize mouth acidity and eliminate bad breath.
- Zellies Mints: These mints contain xylitol, which promotes saliva flow and helps balance mouth pH.
- Crest Toothpaste: Dr. Ellie recommends a specific Crest toothpaste formula for optimal results.
Avoiding Harmful Products
Dr. Ellie advises against using products that can damage saliva proteins or cause allergic reactions in gum tissues, such as:
- Sensitive toothpastes
- Toothpastes with stannous fluoride
- Baking soda
- Peroxide
- Triclosan
The Importance of Nutritional Health
Nutrition plays a vital role in saliva quality and overall oral health. Dr. Ellie emphasizes that carbohydrates and sugar feed acid-producing bacteria in the mouth, leading to a cascade of dental problems.
Repairing Acidic Damage
Healthy saliva is essential for repairing acidic damage to teeth. It contains calcium and phosphates that help re-mineralize teeth and restore minerals lost due to acidity.
The Natural Power of Xylitol
Xylitol is a natural sweetener that offers unique benefits for teeth. It attracts water, stimulating saliva flow and helping to balance mouth pH. This process aids in replenishing minerals and repairing areas that have lost minerals due to acidic attacks.
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Avoiding Excessive Acidic Damage
To prevent excessive acidic damage, Dr. Ellie recommends:
- Limiting the Duration of Acidic Assault: Avoid constant snacking and sipping on acidic drinks.
- Supporting Saliva Production: Prioritize sleep, stress reduction, and digestive health.
- Avoiding Constant Sipping: Drink adequate amounts of liquid at meal times instead of sipping throughout the day.
- Being Aware of Harmful Drinks: Recognize that even "body-healthy" liquids like lemon water and cider vinegar can damage teeth if consumed over long periods.
Testimonials and Success Stories
Many individuals have reported significant improvements in their oral health after adopting Dr. Ellie's system:
- Reduced Gum Disease: Some users have experienced a reduction in gum pockets and inflammation after using Dr. Ellie's system.
- Whiter Teeth: Many users have noticed a natural whitening effect on their teeth after several weeks of using the system.
- Reduced Sensitivity: Users have reported a significant reduction in tooth sensitivity to cold and other stimuli.
- Prevention of Cavities: Some users have experienced a complete cessation of cavity formation after adopting Dr. Ellie's protocol.
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