Skip Dental Cleanings

Quick Overview

Dr. Ellie Phillips argues that routine dental cleanings should be skipped because plaque is a bacterial infection, not just a substance, and the primary harmful bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, cannot survive in the presence of xylitol, which feeds the good bacteria, leading to the elimination of plaque and calculus within six months without the need for professional cleanings.

Key Points: Plaque is defined as a bacterial infection, not merely a substance, and its harmful bacteria, like Streptococcus mutans, feed on sugar. Xylitol, a sugar substitute derived from birch trees, prevents Streptococcus mutans from multiplying because they cannot use it for energy, effectively starving them. Consistent use of xylitol (e.g., after meals) for about a month can significantly reduce the population of plaque-forming bacteria in saliva. The result of this method is the elimination of plaque and calculus deposits within six months, as the harmful bacteria die off and the protective biofilm of good bacteria remains. Dr. Phillips asserts she has not had a dental cleaning in 40 years and has no plaque or calculus, demonstrating the efficacy of her approach. She recommends using a good manual toothbrush with xylitol, not soft, silly battery-powered ones, to remove plaque mechanically. The American Dental Association acknowledges risk factors for plaque but does not actively promote this non-mechanical, biological approach to plaque elimination.

Context: The video features Dr. Ellie Phillips, identified as a Functional Dentist and Author, who challenges the conventional dental practice of mandatory six-month cleanings. She frames plaque not as a simple buildup but as a bacterial infection caused primarily by Streptococcus mutans, which thrives on dietary sugars. Dr. Phillips advocates for a specific method using xylitol to manage this bacterial population biologically, claiming it leads to the elimination of plaque and calculus, making routine cleanings unnecessary.

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