If you ask most people whether or not you can heal a cavity, the answer you would get 99.9% of the time is that it is impossible.
Even conventional dentists would agree with this assessment. Ask a typical dentist at a routine cleaning whether you can heal a cavity on your own and he/she is likely to look at you like you’re crazy (I know this from experience).
In stark contrast to this current conventional “wisdom”, Dr. Weston A. Price DDS wrote of numerous situations in his dental practice back in the 1920s and 1930s where cavities healed with no need for drilling and filling. Dr. Price discovered through research that cavities are caused by nutritional deficiency and when this nutritional deficiency is corrected, the cavity heals.
Biological dentists also understand and teach their patients that teeth can remineralize naturally when the diet and microbial conditions in the mouth are conducive to the healing process.
If you think about this in an open-minded manner leaving all preconceived ideas about cavities behind, doesn’t this make sense? Shouldn’t the body be able to heal a cavity just like it heals a broken bone or a cut on your arm? Why would teeth be any different from a broken wrist after all?
Having read Dr. Price’s epic work Nutrition and Physical Degeneration some years ago, I’ve been of the school of thought that cavities can indeed be healed with proper nutrition for some time. But believing something intellectually and knowing it works from experience are two very different things, are they not?
For this reason, I am very excited to relay to you a recent story regarding one of my children. You see, my oldest child (12 years old at the time) developed a cavity in his top right lateral incisor. It was behind the tooth right on the gumline. My husband noticed it one night as he was checking his teeth to see if he was doing a good job brushing and flossing (he’s way too old for nightly brushing by Mom or Dad).
There was a definite hole in the tooth and not a small one either. My husband called me over to take a look and I was alarmed to see the hole and I used a rubber-tipped tooth probe that we have on hand to check how deep it was. The tip of the probe went way into the hole. There was no doubt that this was a cavity, and we both agreed that we needed to get it filled pronto.
Our reasoning was that the incisors are very prominent teeth and taking a chance that the nutritional approach would not work quickly enough to save the tooth was a big concern for us especially given that our soon to be teenager’s diet could likely not be controlled closely enough to ensure rapid success.
I called the dentist right away and made an appointment. In the meantime, I began insisting that my son take 3 butter oil capsules every morning along with his normal, daily teaspoon of fermented cod liver oil. I’ve always been pretty strict about the daily cod liver oil dose before school, but a bit slack about the butter oil along with it to be perfectly honest.
Not anymore. With this big hole in the back of his incisor, I knew that he needed to take both together. Dr. Price discovered that cavities healed faster when these two therapeutic and nourishing oils were taken together.
The dental appointment was a few weeks out, so I continued with the butter oil capsules every single day. I also told my son that he really needed to go back to his breakfast of two slices of toast each morning with raw butter and honey. This instead of tahini and honey which is what he had been having in recent months.
He was fine with that as he loves raw butter and had just gotten out of the routine of having it every morning. Did this simple change of breakfast have an impact on the development of his cavity?
Probably.
I didn’t change anything else. He didn’t go off grains and he still ate the occasional sugar junk that he gets at school (ugh). It was Easter time too so this type of stuff was rampant. He is almost a teenager, after all. Try to take all grains and sugars out of their diet and you are going to get a rebellion. Kids need to learn some things on their own.
I’ve found you can’t protect your kids from this stuff and raise them in a bubble. You can only teach them to be wise and they will learn moderation on their own over time.
On a side note, I was pleased to see that at a party following his class’s Poetry Day that he bypassed the big bottles of soda and Hershey bars. Amazingly, this junk was being handed out by the parents afterward (no, I’m not kidding).
I was very very proud of him. He knew that eating that stuff would give him a couple of zits for sure and make him feel lousy all afternoon and probably the next day too. We Moms have to celebrate little victories along the way, don’t we?!
Anyway, back to the cavity story.
As it turned out, the day before his dental appointment, the receptionist calls to say that the appointment needed to be rescheduled as the dentist had to unexpectedly go out of town for family reasons. This pushed out the appointment for another couple of weeks, but all the while, we continued with the 3 capsules of butter oil with a teaspoon of fermented cod liver oil after a breakfast of 2 slices of raw butter and honey toast.
Last weekend, I decided to take a peek at the cavity to see if it was getting any worse. It had been about a month since my husband discovered it and I was a bit concerned given that it was one of his top front teeth. I took a flashlight and he tipped his head back and I looked, and looked, and LOOKED!
NO CAVITY!
That’s right. There was no hole at all. It had completely filled in and was as smooth as the tooth next to it. I told my husband and he took a look too. He was delighted to see that the hole was gone.
I took the probe and pressed around just to be sure and confirmed what my eyes were telling me – the cavity had indeed healed over.
I will still be taking him to the dentist to have a check-up but there is no doubt that there is nothing wrong with that tooth any longer.
The best news of all is that I changed very little to get this tooth to heal. He didn’t use coconut oil pulling or any special remedy. He simply continued on his normal, nourishing traditional diet at home with the lapses that typically occur at school and playdate events. We added the butter oil with his daily dose of cod liver oil, and he substituted raw butter for tahini on his toast every morning. The butter oil added critical Vitamin K2 to his diet which supercharges the absorption of the Vitamins A/D in cod liver oil.
That’s it!
I hope you find this story encouraging! Dr. Price’s research really does work in practice!
Dentist’s Conclusion After Examining My Son’s Cavity
This brief update has been added since the original posting date of this blog. I did indeed take my son to the dentist to have a full examination and there was no cavity to be found anywhere in my son’s mouth. A hole was there, the hole is gone. Nutrition can indeed heal cavities!
Diet not only heals early cavities, but it can also heal severe ones where a root canal is recommended. This article on avoiding root canals details that scenario.
Please note that a cavity in a tooth that has already been drilled and filled in the past cannot be healed. Please see a dentist right away to have that cavity filled with non-toxic materials (not mercury amalgams).
Also, a tooth that is cracked or has had part of it broken off cannot be healed with diet. Again, consult with a dentist to have that situation properly handled.
Best Cod Liver Oil and Butter Oil to Heal a Cavity
Please click here for where to buy cod liver oil and butter oil. Note that any old store brand of cod liver oil is not going to work for healing cavities. These brands contain synthetic Vitamin A and D and are heavily processed. Only use these vetted and tested brands to ensure quality results.
Click here to watch my video blog on how to make ghee if you are not able to order butter oil where you live.
Also, this article which provides photographic proof cavities heal can help you see the visual results.
Child Needs to Be on Traditional Diet
Please note that if your child is not on a healthy diet already, the addition of cod liver oil and butter oil (for Vitamin K2) alone will not be sufficient to heal a cavity. A diet consisting primarily of convenience foods that resulted in a cavity problem cannot be rectified with a couple of superfood supplements. It will definitely help and may prevent future cavities, but won’t fix existing ones.
For more information on the diet necessary to heal cavities including high vitamin cod liver oil and butter oil, read the book Cure Tooth Decay.
A Second Cavity Healed!
In May 2017, the same child mentioned in the story above healed yet another cavity. This time he did it all by himself (he is 18 years old now). He noticed a small hole in one of his front teeth. Like the last time, the early cavity was right along the gumline. It was also on the front of the tooth and easy to see in the mirror. I am kicking myself now that we didn’t take before and after pictures!
He asked me what to do about it, and I referred him to what we did 6 years earlier to heal a hole in one of his lateral incisors. He hadn’t been taking much cod liver oil for awhile. So he immediately went back on 1 tsp raw, extra virgin cod liver oil per day (which we are now using instead of fermented liver oil). To supercharge the absorption of the Vitamin A/D in cod liver oil, he also doubled his Vitamin K2 intake (180 mcg/day). Finally, he cut out the few sweets he was eating. Within 2 weeks, the hole was gone!
Please note that instead of butter oil to add K2 to the diet, this time he used a potent natto extract supplement. Both butter oil and natto extract contain the critical Vitamin K2 necessary to heal cavities. It is best used synergistically with cod liver oil for optimal and fast results. Butter oil contains MK-4 and natto extract contains MK-7. This article contains more discussion on MK-4 vs MK-7 forms of Vitamin K2.
Diet is Always First to Heal a Cavity Followed by Cod Liver Oil/K2
My son felt very empowered by the experience. Please note that other than lagging on his cod liver oil/K2 supplement regimen, he was eating an excellent Traditional Diet. Certainly no fast food (ever), candy or soda. Junk to him is a piece of pizza at a party and sweets are a couple of organic cookies after a quality whole foods dinner.
As a Mother, there is nothing better than knowing your children have learned from your efforts raising them and are able to successfully put traditional health into practice for themselves as young adults.
Where to Find a Biological Dentist
I get many requests about who I recommend as a truly holistic dentist. If you are looking for one, I recommend Dr. Carlo Litano of Natural-Smiles.com – (727) 300-0044. Be sure to tell Dr. Litano that the Healthy Home Economist sent you and get 10% off your first visit!
He sees children and does phone consults too!
More Information
Child’s Severe Tooth Decay Healed with Diet
Whiten Your Teeth Without Dangerous Chemicals (that will eventually destroy the enamel)
Healing Periodontal Problems with Bone Broth
Natural Alternative to Baby Teething Gels
Coconut Oil Stops Oral Strep Bacteria from Damaging Tooth Enamel
Cause of Crooked Teeth
10 Signs Your Dentist is Truly Holistic
Could the Cause of Your Illness Be Right Under Your Nose?
Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Sure Maria,
I’m not sure what suggestions I may have, but I’ll try to help.
it is a charming story, but I don’t imagine how the experience of a still-growing young man – where more than enough growth hormones and whatnot – can compare to that to older people who have long stopped growing. STill worth a shot, of course, re supplements, I suppose
We have had trouble taking the Green Pastures butter oil – after burbs and taste. What can we do?
Sarah, please respond by email. I’m really hoping to get this figured out. The people at the local Whole Foods told me that the cod liver oil and the fish oil I”m already taking are virtually identical, but they did admit that they had never heard it for this use. Do I need to take the cod liver oil or is a good omega 3 fish oil good?
Also, the Green Pastures website talks about the benefits of the butter oil are the casein and some of those things. I take a cold processed whey protein with these vitamins and nutrients, such as casein, intact. Is that the same?
I appreciate your response.
Making your child take cod liver oil every day is abusive without documented medical proof.
I am a vegan with a lactose intolerance. I haven’t had fish or milk in about six years, but was interested in this as a means to combat two cavities that I have.
Do you know of any suitable vegan alternatives? I could probably stomach the cod liver oil, but the raw buttermilk would tear my system up.
You CAN heal cavities naturally. But, I personally believe there can be different causes to tooth decay and this can effect how well healing them works. We have a beautiful 22 month old little boy who has Early Childhood Cavities not caused by nutrition or poor hygiene. We’re a no-sugar, no-processed, breastfeeding household. I was on antibiotics while pregnant with him, he was born via c-section, had a big gut imbalance, and multiple high fevers as a baby, and has a lip tie. All those contribute to ECC. He was diagnosed 2 months ago with 7 cavities and 2-3 teeth with decalcification. We’re doing the WAPF protocol, plus cell salts, iodine on his toothbrush, and MI Paste. We also started working on healing his gut because he clearly wasn’t absorbing all the vitamins he needs ( like calcium ) and once his gut was better, we started flooding his system with good calcium and magnesium. I WISH I had taken pictures. The decay on top has slowed, but not stopped. The decay on the bottom is completely gone. His bottom molars are about half as tall they should be and jagged like little dog teeth, but they’re now covered with shiny new enamel! Nor more brownish, nasty eroded enamel. I actually was so worried about his top teeth, the I didn’t check his bottom teeth for about two months, so this came as a shock. A powerful testament to how powerful the body truly is.
Susan,
I think I have the same situation with my 26 month old. How did you go about healing your child’s gut? My son was born via c section and I think he’s not absorbing nutrients as well. Please let me know and if possible what brands you used. Thank you so much.
Diana,
Email me at [email protected]. There’s a lot I need to share and I don’t want to clog Sarah’s website. 🙂
Things WILL get better, I promise.
Susan
Susan
Can I e-mail you too? My daughter was also born by C-section and although I could breastfeed she refused my breast as she wasn’t satisfied with the consistency of my milk. At first I had to give her crappy commercial formula until I managed to get almost all the ingredients to do the WAP formula. I’m having some problems as I feel she’s intolerant to cow’s milk (even if it is raw… the cows are out everyday to get sunshine and they eat the grass they want but they are also given grains) so I’m not sure she’s absorbing the formula/nutrients well and I’m hoping to find some light at the end of the tunnel…
I’m waiting for your answer. Thank you in advance.
Susan, you can read another post I wrote here https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/video-homemade-milk-based-baby-formula/#comment-58352
it’s the last one I believe and it explains my problem a bit better.
I’m really lost. Can you help me?
Thank you.
Could any give me details of a recent cavity that has been resolved using the protocol outlined?
I have been doing the cod liver oil blend and butter…but nothing has been visible…please advice will be appreciated.
I have been taking a tablespoon of a cheaper Cod liver oil ($8.00) as opposed to the Green Pastures brand, which I cannot afford, plus I make my own ghee and also take a teaspoon of eggshells every day for the past couple of months. I have decreased my sugar intake considerably, eat a bit more fish, less carbs but have not changed my diet drastically. I stopped using flouride toothpaste and started brushing with Neem toothpaste and gargle 10 -15 minutes with baking soda and I do see some improvement. Two months ago I could see 4 of my molars kinda dark in color (due to visible cavities) and now they are clearing in color. I have to yet see a dentist but I am starting to believe one does not have to spend $40 for Cod liver oil nor Butter oil. The changes I have made I do believe are working for me so I’ll keep doing this. Will go see a dentist when I can afford it.
Don’t expect to see any changes at all. This does not work. You will be far better served to stop listening to this quack and go visist a licensed dentist.
I’d like to see these claims to go under further testing.
Sarah,
My 17 year old just had teeth cleaned after getting braces off. He has 3 cavities where demineralization has occurred. We haven’t done flouride in over a year and that is what they recommend to prevent future cavities on other demineralized spots. I stumbled upon this post today. I can buy the cod liver and butter oil. So, if I do those and he doesn’t really change his diet (because he is a teenage boy) how long do you guess it could take? He does eat a lot of carbs, not many veggies and does eat some fruit and of course meat. No organ meats and rarely fish.
Thanks for any input!! I don’t want to have the cavities filled and go the flouride route.