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
Sounds amazing. Too bad I’m traveling around some third world countries, where it’s impossible to find butter oil capsules. :/
In a similar path, I discovered myopia rehab, equally amazing and little coverage. Eye doctor in Austria, has gotten my eyeglass prescription reduced by 30% in just a few months. http://www.Frauenfeldclinic.com – lots of tips on preventing myopia in children on there, too.
Congratulations on solving the most pandemic disease affecting mankind.
I think I’ll drop out of dental school now.
Does the Cod oil have to be fermented? I have been looking at different capsules on-line, and some of them don’t specifically say “fermented”. I was just wondering if it would make a difference or not…Also, in total, how long did it take for the cavity to go away? Would it be easier to have the butter oil in liquid form vs. capsule (which did you do)? And would you say that the toast with raw butter and honey contributed to the cavity cure (if you will)? I have recently discovered some surface cavities I think and I am looking for a way to make them go away. I would like to try this method first before heading into the dentist….
Does the Cod oil have to be fermented? I have been looking at different capsules on-line, and some of them don’t specifically say “fermented”. I was just wondering if it would make a difference or not…Also, in total, how long did it take for the cavity to go away? Would it be easier to have the butter oil in liquid form vs. capsule (which did you do)? And would you say that the toast with raw butter and honey contributed to the cavity cure (if you will)? I have recently discovered some surface cavities I think and I am looking for a way to make them go away. I would like to try this method first before heading into the dentist…
Hi Sarah
Would you know of a homeopath who has successfully treated damaged teeth in the USA?, thanks
Janet
Thank you for this post. I am a dentist and currently doing my masters in Medical Science. We dental people are looking like crazies at how to stop people getting tooth decay. We look into science as well as traditional methods, put them into trial, see what can help, even if just a little bit, and publish it to share with others. We are currently looking into stem cell research to “regenerate teeth” but we are so so far away still. Arresting caries is possible by obtaining a microscopic build up of a mineral layer on the dental cavity. I am saying microscopic, invisible to the eye:, the cavity would still be a cavity. In very few instances, the cavity could be wide and shallow enough to be brushed properly but who would like to spend so much time brushing inside a plaque trap? Unfortunately as previously mentioned, it is impossible to “grow new enamel”. Diet is a big factor and you should look into this, of course but more from the preventive point. Once you have a cavity, please have it filled. Please drink only water in between meals. And plenty of it. The more saliva you have, the better. No “healthy “snacks in between meals. Floss your children’s teeth (and yours). When you go to the dentist ask him to show you where you have plaque accumulation so you can improve your hygiene. Remember that dentists read research related to alternative therapies and can advise you about this too.
Well, I hate to bring bad news bears, but I tried this and it didn’t work.
I was diagnosed with two identical cavities, both top back teeth. I was diagnosed in early June and did not get them filled until the middle of July. I do wear braces and it causes so many disadvantages when I am trying to clean my teeth.
I could not afford the Green Pastures products, so instead I got a generic WalMart Cod Liver Oil and made my own ghee. I was taking it sporadically at first, but by June 1st I was taking 3 capsules of CLO and a teaspoon of ghee every morning with breakfast.
Around the 10th of July I went back in and my dentist claimed they were still there, no worse but no better. I could not get x-rays as proof because of my metal braces, so I had them filled. What a bummer, right?
As much as I wanted to believe this works, it simply did not work for me. I suppose my dentist “could have” lied to me, but I doubt it. She was really particular when filling them. I got a white filling, not mercury.
I would like to see an actual study done on this sometime, but my experiment proves that it ‘doesn’t’ work. Sorry guys.
Not too certain why that link is in my post.
I realize you may never revisit this comment but had to reply nonetheless. You seem so sure that what Sarah has written here does not work and you back that belief up with your “experience”. Seems reasonable… until you point out that you did not actually follow what she said worked for her son. You did not use the same femented cod liver oil nor did you take butter oil capsules. So how on earth can your experiment “prove that it doesn’t work”? In addition to using entirely different products, you did not follow the regimen that she used. Your experiment does not AT ALL mean anything in the way that you think it should as it relates to healing a cavity like Sarah claims to have done with her son.
I’m late to the party on this, but I’m absolutely thrilled you shared this story.
I believe there are people and cultures dotting the earth that know this stuff and live by it, but somehow most of the internet / big-city-livers have dismissed the powers of the human body and mind.
Thanks for sharing Dr. Price’s wisdom and your personal experiences. I love it 😀
SUCCESS STORY HERE! Hello, I stumbled here by accident but am always curious on this topic as I know for a fact that it is VERY TRUE that our teeth can heal themselves. Teeth are alive and can HEAL CAVITIES, etc. I know because my son’s were healed after switching from a “healthy” SAD, to the WAPF diet. My son had 4 teeth due to be pulled when he was 6. I was floored when we found out, as we had done “everything right” and brushed his teeth since a baby, used flouride toothpaste, avoided junk food and soda, etc.
But I wasn’t having it. I wasn’t going to let him go around with a great big hole in his smile till they grew in, so I left the dentist sobbing. I instinctively knew that nutrition had to be part of the problem somehow and started researching. We read about Weston A Price, etc. and began to eat lots of butter and eggs again and yes, RAW MILK. We got rid of things like cereal and juice and margarines and other oils, ate fruit as treats, but cut that down, too. Within a few weeks the cavities, which were very obvious were “receding”. Basically what happened was that the holes were still there, but they filled over with smooth white surface enamel. He never had a problem again and they fell out naturally when it was time. I would tell everyone I know that avoiding sugar, etc. is not enough, you MUST eat nourishing foods like our ancestors ate.
Any “doctor” who is saying that nourishing food is quackery is obviously blinded and ignorant. There is NO HARM in eating good, real food, it sure can’t hurt! I stopped being depressed/anxious/tired by switching diets, and my husbands psoriasis went away and his eyesight got better–he stopped wearing glasses to read!! I can only speak from experience, myself, but I wish that doctors and dentists would get curious again about how the body heals itself instead of the way they treat us with meds/surgeries/poisons. I have excellent teeth by the way, and what do you know, I haven’t seen a dentist in 10 years!!! 🙂
You are absolutely correct. Most of the body does heal itself and yes, eating healthy is a great thing that can solve NUMEROUs health problems. The simple fact of the matter, however, is that teeth are one part of you body that cannot heal itself. Let me give you a little anatomy and physiology lesson…Even while in the womb, a child’s primary teeth are forming. Very soon after birth, the permanent teeth began to develop. As teeth develop, certain cells lay down the various layers of the tooth. The odontoblasts lay down dentin (the yellow layer directly beneath the enamel). Ameloblasts lay down the enamel. The problem with your hypothesis (that’s an idea that has not been scientifically proven) is that ameloblasts cease activity after they have layed down the enamel for the tooth. The only cells that are still active in the tooth are the cells that make up the soft tissue inside the tooth called the pulp (the nerve and blood supply to the tooth) and the odontoblasts, in a very limited role. Over time, these cells lay down tertiary dentin. This is the reason that the pulp cavity inside a tooth shrinks with age. Aslo, these cells only produce dentin (no new enamel is ever prduced after initial development) and they only lay down this tertiary dentin at the junction of the pulp and dentin (the inside of the tooth, not the outside). Furthermore, you say that your teeth are just fine and you haven’t seen a dentist in 10 years. The majority of dental problems do not cause any sort of pain or discomfort until they are are fairly advanced. Periodontal disease very seldom, if ever, causes pain. So, the fact that you think your mouth is healthy does not make it so. I also find it intersting that in the original article, the author diagnosed the cavity herself, but later had a dentist confirm that it was no longer there. Next time, have the dentist diagnose the cavity, post an xray on this site showing the cavity, and then show me another xray of the healed cavity. That would make me believe you.
“That would make me believe you.” Actually, I don’t think it would – sounds to me like you are quite predisposed to disbelieve this “hypothesis,” based on your education… no matter what evidence is presented. I think you would find a way to discount the evidence. Look honestly into your thoughts/motive, and tell me if that’s not true.
For the record, I actually really dislike the way Sarah comes across, ESPECIALLY when responding to people who don’t share her ideas. I think she sounds incredibly ingracious, unkind, and like someone that I would not choose as a friend. I’ve seen numerous other bloggers do it so much better, snd they have my respect. I actually unsubscribed from her newsletter because the stress hormones that it induced did nothing to help my detox & healing process. However, having said that, I don’t discount the information presented before testing it out for myself. Yes, it could come in a much better package (and Sarah, for the sake of your would-be and current readers, please work on that! Proverbs 31:26 would be a great verse to memorize!) but I am willing to every now & then look past the packaging and test if something is true.
Sarah, made your egg custard pudding today, and it was delicious.
RSL-This Dr Price, Sarah claims he is the one who first found this could work. I’ve read his work, seen the pictures, seen the X-rays. He claims he could arrest a cavity by changing the diet, guess what, you can! But not so fast, Sarah claims this dietary change not only arrested the cavity, but it actually filled back in! Well according to the aforementioned Dr Price, and this is a direct quote from his work: “Note that this mineralized dentin is not vital, nor does it increase in volume and fill the cavity.”
What else needs to be said. This fraud Sarah has misled a great many people by misrepresenting what seems to be a hero of hers. He would be ashamed of what she is doing.
But even if the there was enamal overlay OVER the hole, how do you know the cavity itself was actually healed INSIDE without an xray? If it were an adult tooth, how do you know this would not quickly lead to infection even though you couldn’t see it happening? Just questions….I am reading and trying to process all the opinions here as I figure out what to do with my dtr’s teeth.
This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard in my life. You poor, poor woman. Words can not even explain how sad these claims are. At the same time I can’t stop laughing, I feel very bad for you and your child and all of the people who believe what you’ve said. The previous post by the DENTIST is correct. What you’re talking about could have never happened. I hope you will trust professionals in the future to diagnose dental/health issues. If there is no cavity there now, there never was one to begin with.