In this video, Dr. Ellie Phillips, a seasoned dentist and oral health expert, explains how to preserve your teeth' health through natural means. With over 50 years of dental experience across the UK, Switzerland, and the USA, Dr. Phillips' insights are rooted in proven practices for holistic oral care.

According to Dr. Phillips, dental health is a dynamic process of demineralization and remineralization of tooth enamel. While eating and drinking can weaken teeth, allowing saliva to naturally restore minerals can significantly bolster tooth strength without requiring expensive products or treatments.

“The secret to success is in your own mouth. It’s free, and if you use it properly, your own saliva can repair and remineralize.”

Maximizing saliva's benefits involves thoughtful timing when consuming acidic substances. Many people tend to sip acidic drinks throughout the day, which keeps teeth in a constant state of demineralization. Dr. Phillips recommends consuming drinks during meal times only, lending saliva the opportunity to naturally remineralize teeth.

• Limit between-meal sipping of acidic drinks.
• Drink water in intervals to prevent dilution of saliva.

Dr. Ellie Phillips champions xylitol—a natural sweetener found in many fruits—for its role in enhancing saliva production and reducing acidity post-meals. Products like xylitol-based mints and gums are formulated to stimulate healing saliva, improving the enamel's strength and appearance.

Xylitol use after meals not only reduces acidity but also nourishes beneficial oral bacteria that aid in combating plaque. A small daily dosage, like a teaspoon, is effective when used right after meals and before bedtime for optimal results.

An intriguing aspect of tooth care lies in ending meals with tooth-protective foods. These are non-acidic foods that don't encourage further demineralization. Options like cheese or select fruits—especially when coupled with a protocol of food pairing—maintain a healthier oral pH between eats.

• Consume a small piece of cheese after meals.
• Use whole milk as a dietary finish to help coat teeth.

Mouth-healthy meal concluents commonly involve minerals that reinforce enamel or improve gut health, which indirectly funds mineral richness in saliva itself.