I think my dentist may think I am a total weirdo. I hope not.
I had a routine check up/cleaning this morning, during which, she advised me to start using something called MI Paste. I have always had sensitive teeth. So I can’t bite right on into my popsicle. It’s OK. My quality of life is unhindered…
She really wanted me to start using it. She is all for my dental health. I am all for avoiding anything I can’t buy at Whole Foods or make myself. I never-the-less looked at the bottle. It looked natural-ish I guess. So I took the bottle and started to read the ingredients. Hmmm….
Then she told me as I started to read that it was natural and derived from milk. Woops, au revoir MI Paste.
“I don’t drink milk,” I said casually while handing the tube back.
“Oh, are you allergic?,” she asked.
“No.”
“Well, it’s not really milk. It’s milk protein derived.”
“Yes. Casein. That’s OK. Thanks for letting me know. I’m a vegan.”
(Now we shall usher in the “you’re weird, but I am polite” looks.)
( Great…)
I love my dentist. Make no mistake. And it appears I may have been the first person to decline the tube of casein for reasons not related to some sort of horrid allergic reaction.
My weariness stems from the fact that I have read the China Study front to back. The short of it can be found here. Basically, casein has been shown to proliferate cancer cells. Another study can be found here.
Thanks, but I’ll pass. I’ll just stick with my Tom’s of Maine, SLS Free, Sensitive Toothpaste.
…now back to law Erin.
Ha, and I’m not a dork. ☺
Hi Veg:
A friend of mine forwarded this blog to me. Your story reminded him of an interesting personal experience many years ago in New Jersey.
This was a thanksgiving gathering in my small apartment. Knowing that my friend’s father is a vegan, my wife prepared several special dishes without any meat or anything derived from animals or birds.
To our surprise, my wife noticed that my friend’s father only had rice and drinks that night. We learnt late from his father that to his section of vegan, green onion is also being excluded.
What is your reaction to onion? How about alcohol and Listerine?
Regards
Kali
Dear Kali,
Wow! That was so thoughtful of you to plan a whole Thanksgiving meal around your friend!
I haven’t heard of vegans excluding onions, but I am always eager to learn something new. What is the basis for his decision?
I haven’t heard of vegans excluding alcohol either- have you? I have heard of vegans not consuming traditional sugar, as it is filtered with an animal based filter.
I personally do not use Listerine and am not really a fan. If I were in need of mouthwash, I would probably grab some at my local health food store.
Glad you enjoyed the posting.
Sincerely,
vl
I wanted to share my solution to “sensitive teeth”
Sometimes — if I have eaten too much dried fruit for example, my teeth will start to hurt when I eat cold or sweet things. But this seems to calm them right down!
I mix NOW brand Calcium Citrate with NOW brand Magnesium Oxide (These are both powders and both vegan) — I mix them about 2:1 and then brush my teeth with this powder. It is amazing — after about a day of this, (brushing maybe 3-4 times) the sensitivity really decreases.
I think this is because teeth can have extremely tiny pores in them that allow stimulation of the nerves — the Ca Mg may plug these pores….
“Thanks, but I’ll pass. I’ll just stick with my Tom’s of Maine, SLS Free, Sensitive Toothpaste.”
why use a toothpaste at all if it doesn’t have fluoride?
Nareg,
There is a wide spread debate on the use of flouride in toothpaste. There are those that believe it is toxic and those that believe it is essential for fighting cavities. I did a quick internet search on the subject and found link after link (and posted some below). Thank you for your comment.
http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=540&xcntr=1
http://www.ghchealth.com/where-the-yellow-went.html
http://undergroundscience.blogspot.com/2006/06/dangers-of-fluoride-in-toothpaste.html
Sincerely,
vl
I just got socked with the MI paste as well.
Have you found a vegan alternative?
Chuck
Dear Chuck,
I have not, but if you find one please let me know.
Thanks,
VL