What My Dentist Says About Whole Foods (and One Really Cool Testimonial)
I went to the dentist for a cleaning yesterday. My friend Craig is my dentist, and before he looked at my (perfect, cavity-free) x-rays, we chatted about life for a while. He is jealous that I can work from home with the freedom to do things with my kids. He said this to me:
“I would love to take a year off like you are doing at the university. And if I did, I’d start a business like what you’re doing with your books and GreenSmoothieGirl. Because people should know something important about their dental health. That is, it doesn’t matter how many carbs you eat. You can eat fruit all day long. It would not affect your teeth at all. What rots your teeth is REFINED carbohydrates. If people would stop eating sugar, they wouldn’t get cavities. But eat the whole grains, fruits, complex carbs–they’re great.”
So mull that over, as I have been. Someone in the dentistry community should be out front telling people that! And today I got this very eye-opening testimonial in an email. Remember my materials on oxalates in Chapter 1 of 12 Steps? This is interesting:
“I have medulary sponge kidney disease that causes me to make kidney stones. My urologist sees me every 6 months to keep an eye on things. I started drinking green smoothies about 5 weeks ago, having 2 a day most days. I lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks, and haven’t gained it back. About 10 days ago I had an ultrasound of my kidneys and 5 days ago I had the usual blood work done. I recently noticed my face (I’m always complimented on my youthful appearance) glowing–and my husband obviously thought so because he reached out to stroke my cheek with the back of his hand. I asked if I had food on my face and he said, “No.” And then he stroked my cheek again.
Back to today’s check-up with my urologist. He was very pleased, saying, “You always have many kidney stones in both kidneys–usually the left has more than the right, but they both have multiple stones. Your scan shows NO stones in the left, and a stone the size of a pin point in the right kidney.” He had to rock the wand forward and back to find it! He said, “You’ve lost weight. You look great! Whatever you’re doing, keep it up! I don’t need to see you for a year.”
Here’s the kicker: in the past he asked me to stay away from “high oxalate” foods such as kale and spinach since my kidney stones are calcium-oxalate stones. But, what greens have I put in my green smoothies? Kale, spinach and beet tops. And I’m better than I’ve been in YEARS AND YEARS, in terms of kidney health.
Go green smoothies!”
–Cindy
Posted in: 12 Steps To Whole Food, Dental Health, Green Smoothies, Whole Food
wow really really cool story about the kidney stuff–WOW!
I love that the dentist said that–why don’t they educate people? seriously–when I am eating this way–my teeth are so smooth and clean at the end of the day–(I still brush) but still–it’s really cool!
Ok I asked the dental assistant if people only ate fruits and veggies if they would get cavities and she said that since fruits are acidic, they would still cause cavities. So I didn’t know what to think of that. But I bet your dentist knows what he is talking about, so I am just going to forget about what that girl said. Whole foods diet is the best!
Hm, dental assistants.
My dentist did say if you sucked on lemons all day, well, that would be an exception!
Forgot to say that my dental hygienist always says I have zero plaque on my teeth. (Maybe I should save myself some money and quit going for the cleanings . . . !) They also always ask me why my teeth are so white, and I say I don’t know because I eat blueberries and beets pretty much every day. Honestly, I truly think it’s just because eating apples and carrots and lots of bran and fiber helps keep teeth strong as well as natural looking and white.
Sorry, I must contend with the “eat fruit all day” bit. My nephew was doing pretty much that, except with primarily apples. The acid in the apples actually rotted his teeth and he lost about 4 or 5 to rot. Luckily, he was about 6, so it was within a couple of years of his adult teeth took over, and he doesn’t gradually eat an apple or two all day long anymore.
Any diet taken to extremes can be harmful. I love green smoothies and have even turned a few friends (and their kids) onto them, but please remember to be sensible. 🙂
The fact that Smoothies contribute to healthy bacteria in mouths, I think, is also a factor in having healthy gums and teeth. I worked several years as a Dent. assistant. Soft, sticky foods are very plaque forming. You don’t advocate cheese or other dairy products other than yogurt and kefir. The latter promote healthy bacteria.
Acidic foods+refined sugars are the biggest culprits AND milk. (not including breast milk).
Also, this is just my opinion, you soak the nuts and seeds you and your family eats, so they aren’t hard like unsoaked nuts and seeds, even once dehydrated. Crunching ice and things like nuts can crack teeth though you might not be aware of it happening. The cracks are “food particle traps” that can contribute to decay.
By the way, foods like apples, carrots, celery…are like “nature’s little toothbrushes”. Helps keep plaque from forming….good for teeth and gum health.
More reasons to promote greensmoothies, salads and healthy whole foods. Drinking water throughout the day is excellent as well.
Just have to say that I really enjoy and need your blog! So encouraging. Love it!
WOW!! That was a GREAT testimony!!!
Somewhere I learned that it isn’t necessarily chewing the refined carbohydrates that gives you cavities – but what it does to your system that robs your teeth and causes cavities. But, no one has believed me.
I just wanted to comment on the white teeth thing. My 10yo son LOVES apples. He usually eats about three a day, some days more. His teeth are white and beautiful. His older sister was commenting on how white his teeth are and I jokingly said…”probably all those apples he eats!” Several days later, I read an article about how apples help keep teeth white. Pretty funny!