Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I’m not sure what’s going on, but each of the last 3 mornings I woke with excessive plaque buildup on the inside of my bottom front teeth.

During these same 3 nights I slept well from ~10p to ~2am, woke & tossed for a couple of hours, and then slept well until ~6am. I’m thinking this is somehow related to the tooth plaque buildup because for ~5 days or so before I slept extremely well (i.e., noticeably better than normal) with no excessive tooth plaque.

The excessive tooth plaque issue has happened to me a few times in the past; I can’t recall if it also coincided with restless sleep, but after a few days the excessive plaque disappears as quickly and mysteriously as it appeared.

For diet, I have been zero-carb (total carnivore) for the last 3 weeks with minimal day-to-day change.

Any theories or ideas would be appreciated!!

edited Feb 2 2011 at 21:37

asked Feb 2 2011 at 21:27

Steve
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Do you use toothepaste? Have you tried using baking soda instead to brush teeth? My teeth have never been better since I started using baking soda. I can tell it's better just by the way my tongue "feels" on my teeth haha. – justanotherhunt Feb 3 2011 at 6:39

Elizabeth · Answer 1 · 2011-02-02 21:53:27Z UTC

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Sleeping with your mouth open can cause this. Are you having any sinus issues?

answered Feb 2 2011 at 21:53

Elizabeth
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	That's interesting...I bet that's why it happens to me. – Travis Culp♦ Feb 2 2011 at 22:51
	No sinus issues; I can't believe the answer is that simple (I just started sleeping with my mouth open all of the sudden?). – Steve Feb 3 2011 at 15:30

Paola · Answer 2 · 2011-02-03 01:41:35Z UTC

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I had the same (dental) problem on low carb. I've reintroduced daily sweet potatoes and pumpkin and it's gone. Give it a try.

answered Feb 3 2011 at 1:41

Paola
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	That's interesting...I still get it with standard potatoes. I suppose that there is an interaction between the fat soluble vitamins, A being chiefly the one present in sweet potatoes and pumpkin. I do get no small dose of vitamin A from 2 cups of spinach daily. – Travis Culp♦ Feb 3 2011 at 2:02
	I thought it was higher carbs in general (of which s. potatoes and pumpkin were the biggest portion, but I increased also other veggies) that made me feel better. Apart from plaque clearup, I solved problems with dry mouth (related?), felt more satisfied after a meal, and more energetic throughout the day. – Paola Feb 3 2011 at 2:30

gone2croatan · Answer 3 · 2011-02-02 21:30:07Z UTC

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My teeth always feel fuzzy after a night of hard drinking, which also coincides with restlessness at night. Have you been boozin' it up, perchance?

answered Feb 2 2011 at 21:30

gone2croatan
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	No booze for sure; in fact, I've been zero-carb total carnivore the last ~3 weeks, and my diet has not really changed much day to day. – Steve Feb 2 2011 at 21:35
	Figured you would have mentioned it if so, but it was worth a shot. Good luck! – gone2croatan Feb 2 2011 at 21:38

Finn · Answer 4 · 2011-02-02 21:48:39Z UTC

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Are you... Brushing your teeth? Drinking enough water? Try tracking it for a few weeks to see if it's not a coincidence.

answered Feb 2 2011 at 21:48

Finn
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Liz · Answer 5 · 2011-02-02 22:13:57Z UTC

My dentist told me that some folks just have the body chemistry for more mineral buildup from their saliva. She's pretty holistically in-tune and said it's nothing to worry about. Kind of like how some folks have greasier hair than others.

She did also mention the mouth breathing. I find that I breathe more easily when I'm strict Paleo (sinuses) and I can make a conscious effort to breathe deeply through my nose as I fall asleep.

I'm sure Paul Chek could answer your question :)

Flag Gal · Answer 6 · 2011-02-02 22:48:59Z UTC

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I'm one of those people who have plaque-building saliva. I seem to have lots of saliva (dentist visits are fun). According to my dentist I'm just one of those folks who have more build up.

answered Feb 2 2011 at 22:48

Flag Gal
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terrence · Answer 7 · 2011-02-02 22:54:47Z UTC

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I sometimes use "Breathe Right" things across the bridge of my nose at night - they keep my nose open, and stop me from breathing through my mouth. I do have some allergies that can close my nose, the BR's work quite well.

answered Feb 2 2011 at 22:54

terrence
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LiveBigger · Answer 8 · 2011-02-03 00:41:34Z UTC

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I get the same thing! Super built-up plaque behind my bottom two front teeth. And it only started happening when I stopped eating all sugars, including fruits. I thought I noticed it coinciding with my fish intake. I sleep well and without sinus blockage. I'm going to the dentist in two weeks and will ask about it (although who knows what they'll say). I'll report back.

answered Feb 3 2011 at 0:41

LiveBigger
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	Great... thanks. – Steve Feb 3 2011 at 2:46
	UPDATE About a week before going to the dentist I got a new toothbrush- one with zig-zaggy bristles- to replace my old one- with flat bristles. The build-up went away almost instantly! At my appointment I asked about it, explaining my diet etc, and he said he wasn't sure what the cause could be but isn't concerned because I have so little plaque. So I still don't know what caused it, but a fancier toothbrush seems to cure the symptoms! – LiveBigger Feb 24 2011 at 22:58

Travis Culp · Answer 9 · 2011-02-03 00:51:14Z UTC

My gut feeling is that this is the result of increased K2 in our saliva as a result of our dietary changes. This started happening to me around when I amped up my pasture butter intake. These days, I eat ungodly amounts of butter and natto every day and this happens more often.

Beefboy · Answer 10 · 2011-02-03 12:16:43Z UTC

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I just started using "Tooth Soap" - it's soap, for your teeth. Sounds odd but it's made out of food and my teeth feel pretty good. Might be worth a pop if you want to do some self experimentation.

answered Feb 3 2011 at 12:16

Beefboy
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I've been using tooth soap as well, it's great. Try here. cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/… – Alan Feb 4 2011 at 3:44

Happy Now · Answer 11 · 2011-07-12 01:20:06Z UTC

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You're snoring, and the saliva is evaporating on the back of your teeth leaving behind the minerals as you exhale. (Or at least that's what my dentist told me when I asked about this phenomenon).

answered Jul 12 2011 at 1:20

Happy Now
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Nancy O · Answer 12 · 2012-12-12 03:38:21Z UTC

I think this is carbohydrate intake related. I had this buildup on my teeth and the waking up occur twice. First when I started paleo eating and wasn't eating any sweet potatoes and now again when I am temporarily (I hope) off the sweet potatoes. I wonder what the connection is.

Trace · Answer 13 · 2013-02-23 21:50:19Z UTC

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I havent been able to sleep for aboit 2 weeks and I have excessive plaque which is why I am here as I was trying to find answers. So seems like the lack of sleep is what we have in common.

answered Feb 23 at 21:50

Trace
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Excessive Tooth Plaque & Poor Sleep

13 Answers