Dr. Ellie Phillips, an oral health expert in Austin, Texas, says she has gone 40 years without having her teeth cleaned by a dentist.
However, in a video with more than 3.5 million views, Dr. Phillips said her teeth are perfectly healthy.
Even dentists say it; She has recently been “pushed and prodded in every way imaginable” by several, who say her mouth is in excellent shape despite previous cleanings.
Her routine contradicts official recommendations, which advise visiting the dentist for a cleaning once every six months.
Dr. Phillips says she hasn’t needed her teeth cleaned for more than 40 years and said her passion is helping people avoid the need for dental care.
Although Dr. Phillips hasn’t had her teeth cleaned in 40 years, she said she visits the dentist’s office periodically to make sure her teeth are fine. Her most recent review, which took place in 2023, was uneventful, she said.
Dr. Phillips, a licensed dentist, says she has developed a regimen that allows her to avoid time-consuming appointments while still maintaining a healthy smile.
This includes a daily oral care routine consisting of three mouthwashes, two separate toothbrushes, and several sticks of medicated gum a day.
“My true passion is helping people avoid dental treatment,” said Dr. Phillips.
The American Dental Association recommends a professional dental cleaning every six months, but notes that this may vary depending on your individual oral health needs.
‘Regular dental cleanings are one of the most important things you can do to take care of your teeth.’ Dr. Jeff Kindsethsaid a dentist based in Dana Point, California.
Despite these recommendations, 40 years ago, Dr. Phillips decided to see how long she could go without needing a professional cleaning. Every few years, she visits a dentist to check that her teeth are okay and she asks if she needs a cleaning; She says she’s always been sent home.
Dr. Phillips’ oral care routine extends far beyond brushing and continues throughout the day, focusing on incorporating a sweetener called xylitol.
Xylitol is a sweet compound found naturally in strawberries, mushrooms, and corn, among other products.
It has 40 percent fewer calories than sugar and has been shown to stop the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth that can eat away at tooth enamel. according to Delta Dental.
It was approved by the FDA as a food additive in 1986. It is commonly found in chewing gum. In high doses it can cause diarrhea, but is generally considered safe for humans.
In Finland, chewing xylitol gum is part of a public health recommendation by dental authorities, who promote its cavity-fighting properties. Dr. Phillips produces and uses her own brand of xylitol gum, called Zellies.
Your goal is to consume five to ten grams of xylitol daily by chewing gum after each meal, snack or drink.
Then there is the brushing routine.
First, rinse your mouth with a tasteless antibacterial mouthwash, such as CoSYS, for one minute.
Immediately after, she grabs one of two toothbrushes. She has one dedicated to nighttime care and one for the morning, as she likes to let the bristles dry completely between uses to eradicate bacteria.
Wet your toothbrush and apply Crest Anti-Cavity Toothpaste. Then, use a gentle circular motion to brush your teeth and gums.
When she’s done, she rinses her mouth with Listerine until it “starts to feel warm.” Using mouthwash instead of tap water helps prevent the fluoride in the toothpaste from washing off her teeth.
After the Listerine, use an anti-cavity fluoride mouthwash from the brand ACT. These mouthwashes work “synergistically, they work harmoniously with xylitol to improve oral health,” Dr. Phillips said on her TikTok account, which has 473,800 followers.
Having an oral care routine is important, but genetics are also believed to play a role in oral health. For example, research has suggested You are 20 to 85 percent more likely to develop cavities if your parents had them.
Dr. Phillips’ children underwent some of the same oral hygiene tests as her and had similar measurements, which could be a sign that they are following their mother’s protocol and have inherited her teeth.
TikTok users were quick to point this out in their video.
Plus, the fact that Dr. Phillips has a background in dentistry makes her more likely to practice good oral health regularly than the average person.
Dental associations recommend that the average person get regular cleanings because they will prevent dental problems requiring surgery, bad breath and gum disease. According to the Cleveland Clinic.
They added that maintaining a clean mouth through regular cleanings also reduced the risk of developing heart disease, stroke and dementia.
“In addition to being able to prevent certain oral health problems, dental cleanings are also essential for maintaining good overall physical health, not just oral health,” said Dr. Kindseth. “Good dental hygiene is an absolutely essential aspect of personal health.”