How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy for Life?

As you get older, do you worry about your teeth? Today, we will share how to build strong dental and oral health from the root.

When it comes to maintaining healthy teeth, most people use very surface-level methods, like brushing twice a day, flossing, using mouthwash for better oral hygiene, getting regular cleanings, eating less sugar, and avoiding smoking and alcohol. These are all good practices, and I continue to use them. However, many people who follow these routines still end up with sudden toothaches or sensitivity. A visit to the dentist reveals problems with their teeth, gums, or nerves, leaving them frustrated and confused.

Maybe you don’t have any tooth problems now, but you worry about potential issues as you get older and don’t know how to effectively prevent them. Today’s content will reveal the root causes of tooth problems. By understanding these root issues and taking action, you can maintain oral health no matter your age.

Reconsidering Tooth Problems: A Holistic Health Perspective

First, most tooth and gum problems are the result of long-term overall body health issues affecting the teeth.

Let me emphasize this key concept again: most tooth problems are the result of long-term overall body health issues, not just oral problems. In other words, the real issue with teeth is not the mouth itself but the overall health of the body.

For example, eating a lot of sweets a few days ago and forgetting to brush your teeth is bad for your teeth, but such short-term behavior is not the root cause of tooth problems. If you know a bit about traditional Chinese medicine, you might know that each tooth corresponds to different organs. Think about it: if I ate a lot of candy one day, would the corresponding organ be severely damaged by these sweets, causing my teeth to fall out or need a root canal? Usually not.

So, tooth problems are not caused by short-term behaviors, nor are they just mouth problems. I categorize the root causes of tooth problems into three main types. When you address these three types of problems, you won’t have to worry about losing teeth, needing root canal treatments, or having inflamed gums, no matter how old you are.

First Type of Problem: Acidic Foods Causing Calcium Deficiency

The body's pH level must remain constant; too acidic or too alkaline can be fatal. When we consume acidic foods, such as coffee, meat, candy, processed foods, and high-protein foods, the body neutralizes these acids by drawing calcium from bones and teeth to maintain pH balance.

This loss of calcium cannot be replenished through milk or dairy products. You might want to read another article, " Dairy Products: The Delicious Health Trap," to understand how milk can lead to calcium deficiency rather than supplementing it. In fact, the more milk you drink, the more likely you are to lose teeth or develop other oral problems as you age.

Moreover, coffee or caffeinated drinks not only stain your teeth but are also very acidic. Regularly drinking coffee or tea will eventually cause various tooth problems over time.

So, how do you supplement calcium and balance the body's acidity? Through fresh fruits and vegetables. For example, drinking celery juice on an empty stomach in the morning and eating plenty of oranges, apricots, dates, watermelon, cantaloupe, raw organic leafy greens, and so on can help. These fruits and vegetables are alkaline foods and can replenish calcium.

If you think the sugar in fresh fruits is unhealthy, you might want to read another article titled " Cutting Out Sugar Wrongly: Missing Out on Healing Opportunities."

Second Type of Problem: Weak Overall Immune System

The body needs antioxidants and vitamin C from natural foods to keep gums strong and healthy. Teeth and gums especially need vitamin C and various minerals. However, when the body harbors various viruses and bacteria, the immune system uses vitamin C and minerals to fight off these infections. Chronic illnesses like colds, skin issues, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney problems, and digestive issues can deplete the body's vitamin C reserves, making it difficult for teeth and gums to stay healthy.

In addition to vitamin C, deficiencies in B12, zinc, magnesium, and other trace minerals can also lead to dental problems.

Furthermore, the immune system can be weakened not only by viruses and bacteria but also by modern high-protein and high-fat diets. Whether meat-based or plant-based, these diets can strain the liver and gallbladder, leading to incomplete processing of proteins and fats. This can result in the production of harmful substances that weaken the immune system of the teeth and gums, causing bad breath.

In short, any chronic disease or symptoms of a chronic disease over time—whether it’s a year, two years, or even ten years for some people—will eventually reflect in dental problems.

In other words, by building a strong immune system through various aspects of daily life, your teeth will also become healthier.

Third Type of Problem: Chemicals and Negative Emotions

Various chemicals, including different medications, antibiotics, and antidepressants, contain chemical substances and metals that are very acidic. The body needs time and resources to process these substances, often drawing resources from the teeth. For example, someone who takes antibiotics for a while and then stops may start to experience dental problems after one or two years because the body has taken resources from the teeth to deal with these substances.

Similarly, stress and negative emotions produce adrenaline, which is a very acidic chemical. The body uses calcium from the teeth to neutralize it.

Therefore, to prevent dental problems, it is important to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals and effectively manage stress and emotions.

By now, I hope you understand that dental health is not just about the mouth but reflects the overall health of the body.

======

Disclaimer: The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers with any medical condition. The author is not a licensed medical professional, and relying on the information provided in this article is at your own risk. Before making any significant changes to your lifestyle or treatment plan, please consult a medical professional.