Tooth/ Gum problems on the MC

[springysue]

Hi- I am on day 8 of my first cleanse. It seems that my gums are either receding quickly, or have become really sensitive in the last day or so. Has this happened to anyone else? I have no insurance and don't want to take any risks... Also, the lemonade is starting to taste metallic(sort of- I can't quite describe it) and not so good- and I am thinking of ending it today or tomorrow.
Any advice from master master cleansers?
Thanks

[mycroftxxx]

do you have fillings? perhaps those mercury ones? can that affect the taste?

well you aren't alone with the sore gum/teeth thing. seems like to be a topic that keeps coming back month after month.

people have been drinking lemonade through a straw bypassing the teeth. others have been rinsing out their mouth with water after drinking.

It seems like the lemonade is pretty hard on teeth in general and after drinking it non stop for days on end really messes with them.

[Malcolm]

My teeth became very sensitive about day 78 of the cleanse. I had to stop using my electric toothbrush because it hurt too much, particularly at the gum line. I'm wondering if the acid from the lemons is damaging them.

[Res]

Did you say, "Day 78?" :o No really, did you say Day 78? *gulp*....well anywayz....YES! It's the lemons among other things.... (... Day 78? ???)

SO, make sure you're "RINSING" your mouth out a lot with water. And by the way, could you elaborate on that Day 78 comment because suddenly I'm obcessed with it. Yikes! Was that a typo? Are you like past Day 78 now and do you have any meat on your bones currently? Was this...no, no I can't get over what you just typed. Details Malcolm, details!! ;)


~Don't make me come over there!!~

I'm Barbara Walters. And this is 20/20.

[Malcolm]

Oops. That was a typo.
I meant day 7 to day 8.
Sorry for the confusion.

[Res]

Whew! Thanks for clearing that up. I was getting ready to come over there and force feed you!! ;)

We have some marathon cleansers but Yowsa! That would have topped the record!

~Res :)

[LisaS]

That was happening to me, I started using a straw which helped. :)

[tmacd]

I am just finishing day 4 and the only thing besides totally gagging on the salt water every morning is that my teeth started hurting last night and again tonight. I don't have any cavities, but it feels like what it would feel like if I did. Make sense? Has anyone else had this or similar problem?? If so, what did you do?? I want to stay on the cleanse at least the full 10 days, but I want my teeth not to fall out even more!!

Thanks for any help.........

[donart]

I know the feeling. - You think its time to see the dentist.
Its actually the lemon juice working on the teeth.
Always have water next to your lemonaide. After having some lemonaide take a swig of water and rinse your teeth with it.
If you do this after each drink of lemonaide your teeth will feel normal.
It may take a few days for that sensitivity to fade away.

[tmacd]

Thank you!! I usually drink 24oz. worth of lemonade and it takes me about 20 min. then I fill up my lemonade brigade jug to the top with water and start drinking it imediately after. I will try your suggestion. I will let you know if it helps. Thanks again!

[Guest]

also try sippin thru a straw, that eliminated the tooth sensitivity problem for me. some lexan 32 ounce bottles come with a silicon straw.

[tmacd]

I tried drinking water with the lemonade and it helped alot. Thanks.

[darylslattery]

Just wanted to ask if anyone ever experienced extreme sensitivity in the gums and teeth while on the cleanse and afterwards?

[donart]

Yes - its very common due to the lemon juice.

To avoid it, always take a swig of water after having lemonaide, and swish it over your teeth before swallowing to rinse off the lemon.

[sopheetsa]

Just wanted to ask if anyone ever experienced extreme sensitivity in the gums and teeth while on the cleanse and afterwards?

darylslattery:

I'm one of the people who did-- and it literally is a PAIN. I will say- that it is more than just the lemonade. Peter, our Admin, talks about how those of us who have--a mineral deficiency may have a problem on the cleanse. I DID. He also says it might be a good idea to go off the cleanse (in cases of extreme discomfort) and to have a lot of GREENS which can replenish our minerals, before coming back on the cleasne again.

I didn't do that at the time-- which may have been foolish-- and I stayed on the cleanse a fairly long time despite the sensitive teeth (52 days cleanse 1 --call me masochistic :) .) As donart says, it is a good idea to drink water in between-- and also to observe good oral & dental hygiene-- which INCLUDES not only brushing your teeth-- but flossing and using a mouthwash ??? (hope that's not a no-no-- but I did--and rinsed it thoroughly...)

Another thing is to MAKE SURE you have grade B maple syrup, since part of the problem stems from the mineral imbalance-- and--- grade B has important minerals. The sea salt in the SWF-- can ALSO HELP WITH THAT-- even though for the most part-- it passes through the body-- sea salt is rich with vital minerals.

Best of luck on your journey to optimal help-- and keep us all posted! :)

[NYCleanse]

I spoke with someone who recently completed the cleanse, and has experienced receeding gum lines that he thinks were provoked by the cleanse. Is that possible?:

[Res]

Interesting question. I'm not sure of the answer. I can imagine the lemon juice doing things to the teeth but not the gums. This might be a good research project. :) Could also be coincidence.

Take care,
~Res

[peanutterb]

i was thinking about it too because the lemonade makes my gums and my teeth close to my gum feel fuzzy. i brush my teeth and gums twice a day but i don't like the feeling. but i donno what it is that's causing it. i figured it was regular because during my first three or four days my entire mouth felt like a sock.

[Res]

Oh yeah, that day 3 or 4 sock mouth. ;)

Usually I brush my teeth with just water and I do it a lot during the day at work. Also, I SWIG a lot of water right after taking even a small sip of lemonade. This alleviated a lot of teeth sensitivity. I experienced the teeth feeling the first few cleanses.

Swishing the water helped a lot. Hope this helps a bit. :o

Love,
~Res

[Dith-Eay]

I did a little research on this cause my teeth were starting to feel sensitive, and the lemon juice, over a long period of time, can actually erode and break down the protective enamel on your teeth... so it's really important to brush. The Maple syrup probably effects teeth too, similar to the way sugar does.
Brush-a, brusha- brusha!!:D

[Dith-Eay]

Also, if you use a straw you can bypass your teeth better. It has made quite a difference for me!

[mtmouse]

I wonder if it is actually receding gums. I get huge gum line sensitivity (so it's really painful to brush my teeth) whenever I eat organic sauerkraut, cranberries, Japanese umeboshi plums, and stuff like that. When I asked my dentist about it, he said it wasn't receding gums or exposed nerves at all and that I didn't have to worry about it. (Easy for him to say, LOL.)

It happened to me again with the MCF. Whether it's the SWF or the lemon I can't say. Possibly both. For a few days I actually used some Sensodyne toothpaste so I could stand it. It cleared up completely as soon as I was done with my cleanse.

[NYCleanse]

Thanks for the feedback!! I am on day 4... pressing in. . .!
I think my friend mentioned that he used a whole lemon for each glass, twice what burroughs recommends in the book. this may have been part of his problem. alas, I am doing my best to finish my ten days!

[Xstie]

I'm six days off my 1st MC. I went 11 days and expected the pain in my teeth and gums to subside when I started eating again, but it hasn't. My fillings all feel super sensitive to hot, cold and pressure, and my gums seem to significantly receded while on the MC. I didn't have this problem before and I'm a bit worried. Any other advice on this issue because I would like to do the cleanse again sometime? I'll try the Sensidine toothpaste, but I'm worried I've permanently damaged the enamel.

[jebbfcfm]

i just finished my 2nd MC, 10 days, and this time i used a straw the entire time for the lemonade, and it made a world of difference. My 1st MC was only 6 days and my teeth were very sensitive afterward and i could feel the ware on my enamel. My teeth feel great and happy this time and so do i!

[fancy1]

Wonderful, good for you.
I too use the straw for both my lemonade and my water.
I seem to be able to drink much more with at straw.
Just me...
congragts on your accomplishment.

[Xstie]

i just finished my 2nd MC, 10 days, and this time i used a straw the entire time for the lemonade, and it made a world of difference. My 1st MC was only 6 days and my teeth were very sensitive afterward and i could feel the ware on my enamel. My teeth feel great and happy this time and so do i!

Jebbfcfcfm,

After your first cleanse how long did it take for the sensitivity to subside? I finished my first MC 11/6/06 and am still feeling it. I have been drinking a lemonade or two every other day and will definitely try drinking it with a straw, but I’m hoping I haven’t done permanent damage.

[Dark Turban]

Hey Gang:

I too learned this lesson the hard way. I had been several weeks into the cleanse, yes weeks, when I realized that my teeth were getting very sensitive. At the time I didn't even think of it. After all I was brushing my teeth every day, but it didn't help.

This 'tacky' feeling of something betwixt my teeth didn't make me very happy either, kind of like some kind of sticky cement. And then I just happened to see an ad on tv for Sensodyne ProEnamel toothpaste. They warned about how excessive acids can actually eat/leech the enamel right outta your teeth. Permanently! If you see translucent parts of your teeth you know enamel has gone bye-bye.

Well this is not surpising after all lemon juice - acid, plus maple syrup - sugar!

So I bought the toothpaste and that seems to have helped a lot. Shoulda thought of a straw too. In future cleanses I won't make this mistake again!

:D

[Res]

I want to chime in on this one too! Last cleanse I used a straw and didn't have any sensitive teeth issues as I did on prior cleanses. I'm a straw advocate now. :)

Xstie: If you're still drinking lemonade you'll probably continue to have teeth issues until you stop. Start using a straw and make sure you're drinking water.

Love,
~Res

[Xiara]

I am on MC1 D3 and my teeth are very sensitive. Thank you for the suggestion! Also my breath smells like the dickens (this mint tea isn't helping). I had an interview today and I was so self-conscious!

[racketsgirl]

I am on my third day and doing well, but have noticed that my teeth and gums are tender and hurt when I brush. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms? I wonder if it is all the acid from the lemons.

[bayareababe]

I am on my third day and doing well, but have noticed that my teeth and gums are tender and hurt when I brush. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms? I wonder if it is all the acid from the lemons.

Hi Racket, one way to combat that is to drink water inbetween your drinks. Have one lemon drink , then a water. That way you get your water quota in too! And it rinses your mouth. Also drinking it with a straw helps.

Hope that helps.

[LMadrid]

You probably have sensitive teeth and should have water after each Lemonade. The acid in the lemons can take the enamel off of your teeth and leave them exposed, that is why they will hurt.

[kona_seashell]

ok...i'm on my 6th day...this is my first time...and my first post...

everything was fine until my 3rd day when my teeth started to ache...

the last time i went to the dentist was about 6 months ago...and everything was fine...i brush and floss on a regular basis and didn't notice any tooth pains before starting...

the pain in my teeth is NOT going away...it hurts when ever i drink anything and the liquid touches my teeth...it's the super sensitvie feeling like when you have a cavity...and sweet stuff hurts especially bad...when i measure out the maple syrup i licked the spoon and that made my teeth hurt so bad the pain was almost unbareable...

has anyone else experienced this before? is this normal? any recommendations? please help, i'm thinking about quitting...this is just too painful...

[donart]

kona_seashell,

On my first cleanse I experienced exactly what your experiencing now. I kept going thinking I would be going to the dentist for sure.
After the cleanse it gradually went away and my teeth were normal.

On my second and current cleanse I would take a swig of water after drinking lemonaide and swish it over my teeth and there is no sensitivity at all.

[nightowl]

I am on Day 5 and have done pretty well. Unfortunately I can now feel my fillings start to erode. They dissolve into crunchy little bits, usually when I am drinking peppermint tea. I freaked out, since I don't have dental insurance and decided to begin to come off of the fast. I was wondering if this is an isolated case or have others experienced the same thing? I probably should have swished around some water after each time I drank the lemonade to help reduce erosion. Perhaps next time. Oh, well. I've already begun to drink OJ.

[redkitty]

I dont remember it starting this early on last cleanse. My teeth are aching. :confused: Yesterday I felt like I drank to much (11 glasses) so today Ive done 1 glass of limeade, followed by 1 glass of water. Gonna try and do 8-9 glasses today. I'm hoping this helps.

Anyone else get this?

[bayareababe]

I dont remember it starting this early on last cleanse. My teeth are aching. :confused: Yesterday I felt like I drank to much (11 glasses) so today Ive done 1 glass of limeade, followed by 1 glass of water. Gonna try and do 8-9 glasses today. I'm hoping this helps.

Anyone else get this?

also Kitty, drink it through a straw. And yes, one glass water, one glass drink helps too. Keep up the great cleanse!

[redkitty]

Thanks babe! I'm doing the limade with a straw today followed by water and its made a big difference! :D

[Sirius108]

Hi all,

I did a MC several months ago and now I eat primarily raw foods. I remember during the MC that my teeth had begun to hurt really badly. After reading up on the raw lifestyle and doing it for a few months my teeth began to hurt, AGAIN.

I finally realized it was the lemons and sugar in the maple syrup/agave nectar when I was doing the MC and the fruit in the raw foods lifestyle. Presently, I brush in the morning and the evening, plus I rinse my mouth out with water throughout the day or specifically after eating fruit. I don't have any pain anymore. I'm sure this has come up on more than one occasion on this forum, but I wanted to say it again. The lemons and the sugar from the sweeteners will and can do a number on your teeth, so care is needed. I guess it never occurred to me.

Good luck in your present and future endeavors. :-)

[peanutterb]

yes this has been discussed many times on the board and is covered in the General Help for Newbies thread.
I'm going to merge all the related threads together so people can see all the info together at one time and not create new threads with repeat info.

from the Newbies thread:
Teeth Sensitivity
The lemon juice can cause people’s teeth to feel sensitive.
Drink your lemonades through a straw
Drink a glass of water after every glass of lemonade
Switch to a sensitive toothpaste

The sensitivity usually passes after you’ve finished your cleanse.

[redkitty]

I was hoping you'd merge all of these so more newbies can read it easily! Thanks for taking such great care of this forum, its much appreciated!! :D

[levous]

I searched for "lemon cleanse teeth" as my teeth have become extremely sensitive for the last 24 hours. I am on day 3. I've had enamel problems for years but have been working on better dental hygene to correct that. However, my acidic, sugary cleanse has definitely removed enamel from my teeth and exposed dentene. Unfortunately its undone all the progress I'd made over the last year. My teeth hurt quite badly, especially from anything sweet (like maple syrup). Finding out that this is common was frustrating, it should have been part of the overall direction for starting the cleanse. Make sure to brush more frequently, frequently rinse with water, and drink water in between lemon drinks.

I'm a believer in the benefits of the cleanse and support the statement that the body releases toxins as a result of the dramatic change in diet. I also think rest provided to the digestive organs during the cleanse, and everything affected by that process, is extraordinarily beneficial for overall health.

However, tooth pain is not from toxin release. Seriously, get real! Drinking extremely acidic, sugary fluids with no solid foods to help scrape the acid and sugar off has been objectively proven to remove tooth enamel. This exposes the dentene along the gumline and the nerves underneath.

don't be silly, listen to your body. Try to practice care when doing something so extreme and compensate for the down sides of the cleanse. Brush more frequently, rinse after each lemon drink. Drink more water.

[levous]

There is one thing positive about tooth problems during the cleanse...

All my life I thought I didn't brush enough or that I needed to floss more as my gums have been receeding and the dentene is exposed at the gumline. I now know that the sugar and acid in foods is what I need to worry about and should be more careful with what I allow to touchmy teeth. Of course, more brushing and flossing can't hurt. However, I may feel more compelled to keep a toothbrush and brush with water immediately after I eat and completely reject sugary and citrus based liquids.

Of course, during a cleanse, I ill rinse after each lemon drink rather than sip it.

[sopheetsa]

levous

What you say about sugar and acid foods is true, and I found because I had seriously sensitive teeth during 2 out of my first three cleanses that I also have to take extra care on dental hygiene when doing a cleanse. I make it my business to floss and clean my teeth, right after doing my swf every morning, and what you suggest about brushing is also good as well as PB's advice to drink the lemonade through a straw, drink water between lemonades, and switch to a sensitive teeth toothpaste!

But the issue of sensitive teeth goes deeper, part of what Peterhttp://therawfoodsite.com/forum/images/icons/icon6.gif says-- is that senstitive teeth on the cleanse may be due to needing to replenish your mineral reserves, which means having plenty of GREENS (when you are NOT cleansing.) The tough part about cleansing, is you need it to get your body into better shape, but you have to be in good enough shape to do it!http://www.therawfoodsite.com/forum/images/smilies/confused.gifhttp://www.therawfoodsite.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

Just to get an idea that anyone suffering from sensitive teeth is not alone, you can do a search on sensitive teeth" on this bb and you'll see there are LOTS of people who've had 'em on the cleanse, as well as more advice on what to do!

[jan776]

Luckily I have not had a problem with sensitive teeth on the mc which is good because in general I have sensitive teeth.

I have noticed that I have a HUGE amount of plaque on my teeth during the day no matter how much I drink. My teeth just constantly feel dirty and if I glide my nail accross or something there is tons of plaque! Has anyone else experienced this and know why? Maybe lemon juice makes the salivary glands over react? Humm?

[Chennie]

I have one sensitive spot, which the dentist has treated before. I haven't had any problems with it in over 6 months. But the pain came back the FIRST NIGHT of the MC! It keeps me up all night, and I'm scared I'll have to quit. I have been drinking with a straw, rinsing constantly with water, brushing 3 times a day... I even tried some over-the-counter pain relievers. I already use a sensitive toothpaste.

Does anyone have any great ideas for how to make this stop? If it doesn't, I don't think I'll last through the weekend. And it's such a shame... I was excited about MC and haven't been hungry even once.

Help!

[Res]

Chennie: Just what's already been posted. I had the same problem. The straw and rinsing my mouth after sipping resolved it for me although it took a few days.

Love,
~Res

[lolahead]

I have never had actual pain; however, my teeth feel "sticky" and soft after about three days of cleansing. It's a weird feeling and it drives me nuts. I think this time I will use the straw method. Maybe it's all the sugar in the syrup???

[Chennie]

Well, it turned out to be an infection in my root, not necessarily due to MC (though perhaps the pain was triggered by it). I had a root canal and re-started MC, and am now on Day 7 and feeling fine! Some sensitivity in my other teeth, but nothing out of hand. And my fancy new gold tooth feels not a thing. :D

[koukla2]

Wow!! Im glad I read about this because I'm on day 3 of the cleanse, and didn't think about the acidity of the lemons and their effect on my teeth at all!! from now on I'll use straws, and rinse my mouth out with water... thanks!! :)

[Monika]

Merry Meet Everyone,
Ok so I am on the 4th day of my MC and my teeth hurt and are grey????:confused: I don't understand why. I have switched to a straw and swish with water after each glass as of yest morn. Why are my teeth turning grey, I am concerned. Could someone please help me with this? Thank you
Blessed Be,
Gypsy Aurora (Monika)

[sassi36]

While brushing my teeth on Day 3 it felt like I was hitting a couple of nerves. The sensation continued along with some additional sensitivity so I started to rinse my mouth out with water or an herbal mouthwash after drinking the lemonade, but I didn't do it every time. On Day 7 I went to the dentist, and he discovered two cavities! I told him I was doing the Master Cleanse and he said, "That's why." He said the cavities were already there before the cleanse but not significant enough to require fillings. The master cleanse exacerbated the cavities and caused my gums to recede! My dentist is holistic and promotes cleansing the body but he said, "The master cleanse has its limitations." Ah yes...I was hoping the cleanse would help heal my sensitive gums! Instead it cost me $400 in dental bills! I wrapped up the MC on day 8 (which was my original intention) and I'm glad I did it. I've experienced many benefits on the cleanse, but agree with my dentist that it has its limitations: it's not helpful and potentially harmful to the teeth and gums. I wish this information was in the books...it really should be! I learned my lesson the hard way. If I do this cleanse again, I'll be sure to religiously rinse my mouth out with water after drinking the lemonade with a straw. :D

[Monika]

Merry Meet,
I don't understand why no one has responded or answered my question? I also agree that the harm to your gums and teeth should be in the book also how to prevent this from happening. Again, could someone please let me know what is going on or respond please. I could really use some advice and I am a little frustrated.
Blessed Be,
Monika:(

[ellenislucky]

I had done this cleanse eons ago and decided about a month ago I needed to cleanse. I always have had bad teeth but towards the 8th, 9th day and weeks after my teeth were highly sensitive and still are. I had no idea the lemon and the ,maple syrup would cause so much havoc in my moouth. Glad to know that others have gone thur it too. I will need to go to the dentist but I wanna do the cleanse again so I will drink thru a straw and use water after every glass. Thanks for the advice. Very very scary for those of us that are or were in pain, ouch! The MC is fabulous otherwise.

Ellen:
D

[joshzam]

I had the same terrible tooth/gum pain on my last cleanse. It started around day 6 and I couldn't take it any more by day 9 and had to stop. My dentist, too, told me that my gums had receded and that the loss of enamel is a permanent condition. I wish I could have continued/repeated the cleanse as I understand and appreciate all of the wonderful benefits. It is a shame that this possible consequence is not mentioned in any of the books/literature but I guess I can understand why they choose to ignore it. If they did the responsible thing and warned people, they would surely sell fewer books. And sippy cups. And probiotics and lemon squeezers and t-shirts and bumper stickers.

:(