5 Favorite DIY Ways to Get Great Teeth

by | Sep 14, 2019 | Natural Products

I have recently been addicted to watching this Netflix series called “Outlander”. It centers around a tortured, time-traveling love affair, set both amid 17th century Scotland, and the 50’s modern America. It progresses through history, through various wars, into the settlement of the American Colonies, and the whole epic is both very beautiful and horrifically ugly, which it probably really was, assuming you had managed to stay alive at all past the age of twenty in that time period.

The heroine flits back and forth thru time, and they marvel at her soft skin and shiny hair. However, however. Being a good work of fiction, and not wishing to gross us all out, as there is massive graphic make out scenes, the hero, and even the Villain, all have lovely white teeth, just like her. Highly improbable, I am thinking.

Truth often being stranger than fiction, chances are, they probably did have awesome teeth. (or at least, they could have, if they wanted to). Except for recent innovations in modern dentistry, they used many of the same types of methods for keeping their mouths clean and bacteria-free, and their teeth strong and healthy as we do. Many of the ancient pastes and practices are currently back in vogue and may well be in your refrigerator right now. Here are my picks for top 5:

5. Myrrh and rosemary oil

These are two powerhouse antioxidant’s that contain natural astringent properties. These are particularly good for gum health, which is important to the underlying health of your teeth. Gum disease typically precedes tooth decay. These oils also kill parasites and bacteria and leave your breath smelling like a tiny Scottish forest.

4. Baking soda and peroxide

Although not so ancient, this combination also kills germs, and seriously whitens smiles. However, word of warning, it should not be used every day, as the abrasion can damage enamel. Fact to note, it is the dentin, not the enamel that is whitened by the action of hydrogen peroxide. It interacts with the stain causing molecules and disrupts the bonds that attach the stain to your teeth. Rinsing with a solution of 1:2 h2o2 and water is not harmful to use daily. Please make sure you are using a peroxide diluted, at no more than 3% strength, bottled.

 

3. Strawberries and lemon

If you do this one right, you can enjoy a tasty treat while whitening your teeth and killing germs. It’s brilliant. Strawberries contain malic acid, mostly found in the inner, white part of the berry. Making a paste (or tart?) of this berry with a little lemon juice and water and leaving on your teeth for a few minutes can have a lasting whitening effect. Adding the lemon does the same but adds an astringent effect. I would also suggest adding some peppermint oil or colloidal silver if you also want to keep bacteria to a minimum, and remember to brush your teeth with either water, or plain lemon water afterwards, as the strawberries do contain fructose, and you don’t want that to sit on your teeth for too long. It is a form of sugar. Added tip: Rubbing the white of the berry on your face and rinsing it off after about five minutes also works to lighten skin and improve discoloration.

 

2. Coconut oil

Advocates of coconut oil get a little coo-coo about the amazing benefits of this giant, hairy nut. It contains anti-microbial lauric acid which has been touted as a curative for everything from heart disease to energy levels, to reversing aging. But, lets talk about teeth. The common way to use the oil according to Ayurvedic practitioners is to “pull” it. That means swishing it around your mouth and sucking it back and forth between your teeth. (with your mouth closed, please). It is claimed that this practice rids the mouth of bacteria, whitens the enamel, and can even re mineralize teeth that are beginning to decay. Does it work? Some swear it has magically repaired existing damage, others show before and after shots of whitening, and the ADA suggests you use Colgate. (duh). I have personally tried this, and it does make your mouth feel very clean, but I am not inspired to spend twenty minutes swishing to find out more.

 

1. Activated Charcoal toothpaste

First of all, I am not advocating rubbing a couple of quik-lite briquettes on your teeth. That’s gross, and not very bright. Plus, they contain kerosene. Not safe. What is safe, healthy, and has zero weird side effects, is a product that I could make a version of, but it’s already in a tube, so I just buy it. It is Schmidts Wondermint, an activated charcoal toothpaste. It contains: blue magnolia bark, aloe, tea tree oil, co-Q10, stevia, and activated charcoal, and no evil fluorite. (more on that nemesis later). I also do occasionally rinse my mouth with peroxide, and I put coconut oil in my coffee blender morning weirdness drink. As a result, I have white, healthy teeth. The only cavities I’ve had where from a teenage restaurant stint where I could drink soda all day. I understand genetics, learned behaviors, and access to dental care are all variables we can’t do a lot about sometimes.

In Conclusion:

Brush your teeth.

With something.

These are only a few suggestions, but sometimes the simple things are still the most effective, and you don’t want to accidentally get thrust two hundred years into the past, only to find out that they had better teeth than you do!

 

http://medium.com Dr. Igor Khabensky
http://howstuffworks Josh Peterson. Planet Green
https:healthline.com Kayla McDonald
RNschmidtsnaturals.com

Summit Fever

by | Sep 14, 2019 | Lifestyles

A lowlander discovers the lure of the Colorado Rockies

What is this young businessman doing, perched atop Mt. Elbert, wearing loafers and a crazy grin? Apparently, he has just fallen in Love. With Colorado. This is a strange phenomenon, known as Summit Fever. The symptoms show up shortly after exposure, and may include shortness of breath, temporary sensory shock, and the overwhelming desire to do and see all that Colorado has to offer, all at once. Followed by immediate action, and little impulse control. It is contagious, but almost never fatal. Side effects may include spontaneous adventures, making new friends, learning important life skills, and a pervasive sense of joy.

Jakson K.

Jackson K., a proud Floridian for twenty six years of his twenty nine year old life, was born in Colorado, and although he occasionally went to visit relatives, he never got a real feel for the land and it’s rich history and endless adventures until he accepted a recent job offer, and relocated his fiancé and two dogs to the Centennial State.

The sky turned dark on top of the Flatirons in the first week. Jackson is dragging his cousins into the fray, possibly enjoying the legal herbage, laughing through the jutting boulders, when he stops and freezes, “lightening!” He yells, his forgotten time in the Boy Scout suddenly activating, “Everybody! On the ground!” Brenna, the youngest, turns around, her hair standing straight up on end! She dives into the rocks just as lightning strikes the ground, close enough to light up the trail like a concert at Red Rocks. Welcome to nature. The elements command respect.

Many trails and free climbs later, Jackson has discovered REI, altitude sickness and fly fishing. There are several major rivers in Colorado- the Rio Grande, The Arkansas, the Colorado, The Canadian, The North and South Platte, The Green, and many smaller inlets. Colorado has over 105,344 river miles, and 249, 787 lake acres. Many of them feature Gold Medal fly fishing challenges, for which there are elite professionals, and room for every novice to learn the skills and traditions.

Jackson now sends me pictures of his handmade flies, and stories of the crafty trout that swim about his waders, close enough to count their spots, taunting him, as he carefully hones the perfect flick of the line, the fly skimming the water like a tasty bug, his dogs running back and forth on the shore, shaking cold fishy water on his girlfriend, and splashing thru the low water. The sun goes down on mountain sunset. A painting set in slow motion. The uncaught fish, growing smarter to match each new fisherman, have managed to survive to swim another day.

If fishing isn’t your thing, perhaps you are up for some limited stakes gambling. Central City and Blackhawk were established during the old west, gold rush era, fell into obscurity, and were re invented with the legalization of limited stakes gambling in 1991. Ameristar’s Casino in Blackhawk is the largest, but many authentic era casinos’ have been restored to their former glory and are fully functional once again.

Reaching the actual Summit can be a lifelong endeavor that some Coloradans pursue forever. It may not be possible for an individual to capture every vista and touch every trail, but they can have a great time trying! There is a learning curve to safe and successful mountain climbing, and there are groups, classes, clubs, and Meet Ups to suit all levels of expertise, or step up your game.

 

The hero of this interview has currently secured a coveted spot to climb Long’s Peak. The Peak is one of the most desirable summits to scale, at 14,259 feet above sea level. The climb is most often done over two days, making camp around the mid-point in Boulderfield. This climb is considered intermediate, and this time, Jackson, geared up and prepared, will not be wearing loafers and a dress shirt. This is a view that must be earned. A set of skills that must be  learned, and like the Gold Rush, this fever is contagious.

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