Dr Ellie Mouth Care System.... opinions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone on the flossing thread mentioned this dentist's web page and I checked it out.

http://www.drellie.com/

It seems sensible to me... and she doesn't seem like she is just trying to sell a bunch of her own special products or anything. She's recommending certain types of name brand products, mostly, except she does sell her own brand of xylitol gum and mints I guess.

I googled around to see if people think she is a quack but mostly all I can find is people complaining that she says flossing isn't really that necessary/backed in evidence...which now it turns out might be correct.

She seems to say that sometimes cavities can be healed/reverse themselves... which I'd think was quackery, except I had two small cavities once that I never got around to filling (as an adult) and a year later we did xrays and they weren't there anymore (or weren't big enough to need filling) -- same dentist. So I wonder about that too!

Anyhow, I was wondering if other people here besides the one poster who linked to her have tried or used her system, and what you think of it. Any reasons NOT to try it?

She says xylitol is SUPER useful in preventing cavities and I never even heard about it. My daughter gets cavities all the time despite pretty good attention to oral hygiene so I am looking for better ways to help her.

Dentist here.

The crown of a tooth is made up of 2 layers - the outer enamel, and under that, dentin. If the decay is still in the enamel, then yes, it can be reversed. Once the decay reaches the dentin, it's a done deal.

So no, not quackery at all.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

More research needed. Xylitol may be linked to cardiovascular events.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/article-low-calorie-sweeteners-health-risks/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More research needed. Xylitol may be linked to cardiovascular events.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/article-low-calorie-sweeteners-health-risks/

It is okay for gum in small amount.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She calls herself a fictional dentist, yet she recommends toxic commercial products that contain chemicals and fluoride. I would not consider her a holistic dentist in any way shape or form.

Firstly, none of what I say is an endorsement for Dr Ellie - I'm trying to find the truth about what she says just as much as the next person. All of what I'm about to say is coming from the position of trying to be rational while trying to find the truth. So... to my response...

I've never heard her claim to be a "fictional dentist." Did you mean "functional dentist?"

In one of her videos that explains what her system is and why she recommends the specific products she does, she addresses the topic of fluoride and other chemicals. I personally think her explanation about fluoride is hand-waving (saying "ten minutes per day using fluoride isn't much of the day" ignores the possibility that ten minutes per day could be ten minutes too many). However, she does say that we shouldn't have it in our drinking water (and she fought, unsuccessfully, to get it removed from water treatment in Texas). She also said that if she were in a position to make the ideal products for her system, there would be no SLS and certain other chemicals in them. Essentially, she's coming from the point of view that people won't swallow the products (which is why she has different recommendations for young children, who would swallow them). Sure, that isn't ideal for fluoride or SLS getting into the body, but which is worse, ingesting/absorbing small amounts of those compounds, or having rotten teeth, with all the associated health problems that scientists are finding are associated with it? Someone with very robust teeth might want to limit their exposure to the chemicals, while someone with a lot of tooth problems might want to make a compromise that will lead to better dental health. Perhaps the optimum solution might be to fix the dental problems, then generally use non-fluoride/non-SLS products, but occasionally use them for a maintenance booster?

Whatever the case, getting heaps of fillings, root canals, crowns, etc isn't exactly holistic either, so if Dr Ellie's method works (maybe it does, maybe it doesn't - and this might vary for different people) perhaps using some products with fluoride and SLS in them might be a less problematic option for some people than eliminating them. I don't know whether she claims to be holistic, but she does say about gut bacteria (which are negatively affected by bad mouth bacteria), and she does seem to like the idea of limiting the use of certain chemicals, so rejecting what she says purely on a holistic criterion might not be entirely logical. If you were to get a deep cut, would you reject stitches because they're unnatural for the body? Or would you accept the stitches, knowing that it's the best treatment available to help the body to heal in the circumstances? Presumably, you would accept the stitches if they're needed. For some people, using fluoride-containing products might be the dental equivalent of stitches for a deep muscular cut.

I hope this helps to show that the situation might be a bit more nuanced for some people than holistic/not holistic, and that the most holistic (or least un-holistic) option for some people might be to use the chemicals, at least for a period of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems easier just to floss.

OP here. I totally agree with you, but my daughter HAS been flossing. She's the most assiduous flosser in the house! Yet, she is still getting cavities. She doesn't constantly snack or sip sodas or juice either. I'd say she has a soda twice a week. Mainly she drinks milk and water. So, I'm looking for something helpful for her!

Xylitol gum definitely helps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She calls herself a fictional dentist, yet she recommends toxic commercial products that contain chemicals and fluoride. I would not consider her a holistic dentist in any way shape or form.

functional? Agree on chemicals