4 October 2012

real food fix

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We are on a bit of a new adventure. It's scary and daunting and exciting. We are learning lots and changing ever so slightly. For a while now, we have been moving towards choosing eating better foods. We've flirted on and off with removing refined sugar from our diets. I can say that I've been mostly free of refined sugar for a long time and healthier for it. Before Tiny was conceived, I read up on Weston A Price, read Nourishing Traditions and trialled increasing my consumption of pasture fed beef, organic milk, our own chookies' eggs and good fats... and my body recovered from some pretty serious post-miscarriage hormone weirdyness pretty quickly. It suited me well, but this way of eating was left behind in all the morning sickness and cravings that followed. Now it's time to revisit that thought.

It seems that some of that hormone weirdyness and a lack of certain minerals in my diet may have affected Tiny Owlet. Well, that's my theory. A few weeks ago, I was tickling her tummy and she threw her head back to laugh and I got a good glimpse at her teeth. *Cue sinking feeling in pit of stomach*. She had significant decay going on. Teeth that had yet to finish emerging were crumbling away. Her orange spotted bottom teeth had not improved, despite regular brushing... I jumped online right away and ordered fermented cod liver oil, kicking myself for not acting on it earlier, when my gut told me to...

We've been taking it daily for two weeks now, while researching what to do next. This fabulous post by a wonderful mama I know, on her Bohemian Family Living blog was a great staring point. Right now, my teeth feel firmer in the gum and sensitivity that ached when I drank a cup of tea, has stopped. Tiny Owlet's teeth are turning white as the enamel on them hardens and reforms... But there's still a way to go. She cries from the sensitivity in her teeth. So next up for us is a complete shift to eating real food. Grain free where possible, clean, organic and whole. I'm still researching madly and list making, trying to get my head around it as quickly as I can in the small amount of time I have each day.

I'm looking forward to getting to know our local food better. To eating the way my body prefers. I'm looking forward to seeing Tiny pain free and her teeth stronger. I'm looking forward to gaining a different understanding and new experience of food. Wish us luck! And we will keep you posted. xx

13 comments:

  1. I am very interested to hear how Tiny's teeth go. I have had some tooth issues recently myself and would like to implement some changes to try and improve them. Keep us posted! :)

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  2. Interestingly I have the same problem with my littlest one. The others all have great teeth but his have decay. I don't think my diet during pregnancy was any different each time but something has gone on with him. Also I have had some tooth problems myself.
    Good luck and definitely keep us posted.
    xo Jen

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  3. I'm thinking I might have to try Jasmine on something like this. Her teeth are translucent in spots & there are some cavities in the molars (not helped by the fact that her teeth come through so much earlier than normal). I'm hoping the changes I'm making myself will filter through so we can wean her off the carb addiction. Will be watching with interest :)

    Love the new fonts, too :) xx

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  4. Really interesting post - but poor little Tiny! I do hope the fermented cod liver oil helps. How did you find out about it? I would love to try to shift to a more wholesome diet too - which books/websites have you found most inspiring? My Sophie's teeth began decaying at about the same age as Tiny; I just blamed the night-time breastfeeds and not enough teeth brushing. She never ate sweets, but did graze throughout the day. They continue to worsen despite three-monthly dental treatment and brushing with fluoride toothpaste (which I'm not totally happy about - the fluoride, I mean). Perhaps I need to try a more holistic approach - to treat from within as you are doing with Tiny, rather than just dabbing away at the surface - literally!
    All the best with your healthy changes xxx

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    1. Hi Jessie :) The Ramiel Nagel Book "Cure Tooth Decay" has been most helpful, alongside Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. Breastfeeding is most certainly not to blame. The general theory is that the nipple sits at the back of the mouth, behind the teeth. My readings on fluoride point to it being a quick fix that can actually weaken teeth rather than hardening or protecting them. Taking a holistic approach seems to be the best way forward. Lots of luck to you and your little one's chompers too! xx

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  5. Do your children like the chocolate cream flavour? I haven't seen that before. We have the menthol one and Hugo won't touch it!

    Good luck on your new food adventure!

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    1. I'm not sure if like is the word for it, Michelle... It doesn't taste very chocolatey. We haven't tried the other flavours though, so perhaps it is nicer? We put it in the fridge so it goes harder, then swig some back with a shot of orange juice. The chocolate flavour comes in the butter oil blend.

      Thanks for the luck! xx

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  6. I went to the dentist for a scale and clean. They recommended that I use a very concentrated fluoride toothpaste, which I did. Then my teeth became translucent. I was in shock and just cried. The place that I trusted, the advice that I had been given, had ruined my teeth. I was too scared to smile; I was a wreck. Then I googled and discovered Bone Broths (as is suggested on Bohemian Family Living). We made up batches and I drank and drank. I added magnesium and calcium supplements to my diet and do you know what happened? The colour came back into my teeth. They were being remineralised!!! So as I convert to the wonders of Bone Broth, I say "give it a shot!"

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  7. Have you come across Jude Blereau in your research? She has a website, wholefoodcooking.com.au and a really informative 'whole food for children' cookbook. This is a constant pursuit in our home, with varying degrees of success! Although my 4 year old was apparently telling everyone that sugar isn't good for you at a birthday party today ( while sucking on a pixie stick) so maybe the message is getting through despite this sugar laden world.
    Good luck, Natalie.

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  8. My sister had a similar problem with her 3rd little one's teeth. While she did not eat a whole lot of sugar-laden things she DID graze on fruit and dried fruit (sultanas and dates being the main culprits) most of the days. And no juices (even fresh) without brushing teeth after. After she cut those foods out, started a better brushing routine things really turned around. Hope this helps as well.

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  9. I found your post so timely - my Small DB's front teeth have been worrying me - the white seems a little mottled, although it's not near the gumline. She eats heapso citrus, dried apricots and a bit of honey here and there. She also drinks my water kefir likes it's going out of fashion (maybe this is not so good? I am torn.) I read that post a while back on Bohemian Family Living and was inspired by it, and also reading about bone broths on the Nourished Kitchen. I have also been reading about the benefits of xylitol - and I'm going to get myself and the Smalls brushing with xylitol powder this week...
    Good luck - please post about your experiences. I'm off to google that Green Pastures oil!

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