Issue #156: Keep Those Teeth Clean
Good morning. It’s Monday, March 27th.
Today’s Quick Win
Our Final Four is set - vote now to determine who will be crowned champion!
Did you miss any of our issues on NUTRITION last week? Catch up on Issues #151 - #155 here.
This week we're switching gears and talking about SCIENCE, specifically digging into the oral health.
From the Lab: Keeping Teeth Clean
Speed Read: San Quentin Makeover
Monday Q: How do You Treat Your Teeth?
“Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.”
The percent of adults over 30 in the US with some form of periodontal disease. This increases to 70.1% in adults over 65. (CDC)
From the Lab
Whether in-person or on zoom - our smile is the #1 trait for making a first impression.
Yet most of us (see Stat of the Day) have problems with our teeth or gums.
Our teeth are made of minerals - the enamel (white outer layer we can see) is made up of hydroxyapatite, which is a crystalline calcium phosphate.
It’s this mineral that’s so important to keep clean and strong because if the decay gets into the lower levels of the tooth - that’s when we get cavities and have to fill in the decayed spots with fillings (no good).
The way to keep our teeth clean isn’t just about brushing twice a day - everything we eat impacts our oral health.
Our mouths (like our gut) are full of bacteria - 600+ species. Some are good, some not so much. Just like our gut - we need to feed the good bacteria and prevent the bad bacteria from taking over.
Plaque is the bad bacteria building up on our teeth. You know what plaque lives on? Sugar.
According to Harvard, plaque + sugar creates an “acid attack” that can last up to 20 minutes after you’ve finished eating or drinking. That’s why frequent snacking leads to tooth decay.
So use this protocol for your teeth:
Avoid sugars, ultra-processed foods as much as possible
Use an electric toothbrush to fully tackle plaque without being to aggressive to strip away the enamel and make it easier for bacteria to reach into the tooth
Drink water after every meal/snack to prevent acid build-up that can turn into plaque
Brush before breakfast - if you brush after a meal make sure it’s 30 min after eating to avoid removing tooth enamel
Use a hydroxyapatite toothpaste instead of fluoride*
*There’s a lot of mixed reviews on the safety or risk of using/drinking fluoride
To be honest, the studies suggest that fluoride in excess may absolutely hinder our thyroid function and hormone production.
Even if it isn’t a main health risk, our teeth are made of hydroxyapatite anyway - so using this type of toothpaste will remineralize them to be stronger and you don’t have to worry about the risk one way or another.
See our recommendation below.
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
Mark your Calendar! This Wednesday, March 29th, Dr. Tracy Gapin will be hosting a webinar on High Performance Health.
Learn more about how to take control of your health and to have the energy and health to crush everyday.
To sign up for the Gapin Institute’s free upcoming webinar on March 29th click HERE.
Speed Read
Health & Longevity in the News
Inevitability of Aging?: Think again. Only half of the fitness losses suffered by endurance athletes are attributable to aging, the other half can be chalked up to reduced training. So…if you can maintain the amount you exercise you can keep your biological age relatively steady. (Outside)
If it Works in San Quentin…: The CA state penitentiary is 170 years old, so it’s time for a makeover. Home to some of the baddest criminals, San Quentin is attempting to gain some positive energy from the happiest region on Earth, Scandinavia. (Good News Network)
DNA Sequencing of Whales: Whales have been on this planet millions of years longer than we have. Scientists have mapped the genome of the bowhead whale (which lives for 200 years, on average) and identified 80 genes that might be tied to its longevity. (Read more)
Monday Q | Oral Health
Are you taking care of your mouth and overall oral health?
Product Recs
Impossible - trouble sleeping? This is a combination of magnesium and l-theanine powder (with no junk) to help you get and stay asleep. Click HERE. 😴
RiseWell - mineral toothpaste powered by Hydroxyapatite creating a formula that is clean, safe and incredibly effective at strengthening, remineralizing and protecting the teeth. Click HERE. 🪥
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25 Labs LLC does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.